Miranda Lambert's MuttNation benefitted 20 shelters across the county on Valentine's Day with $1,000 donations.
"Shelter pets - especially the ones that are hardest to get adopted - and the people who care for them, have always had my heart," Lambert said in a press release. "Valentine's Day gives me one more chance to show just how special they all are to me."
Per its website, the mission of MuttNation Foundation "is to promote and facilitate the adoption of shelter pets, encourage spay & neuter for all pets and educate the public about the importance and beneficial impact of these actions. Our objectives are accomplished through numerous initiatives which include: high profile adoption events, fundraising events, a national pet transport network, and providing financial support to carefully vetted shelters across the United States. MuttNation is also committed to providing monetary, hands on and transport assistance during times of emergency and disaster."
MuttNation also aids rescue animals find forever homes through sales of its product line of dog toys, its annual MuttNation March during CMA Fest in Nashville and the Little Red Wagon drive for pet supplies at Lambert's tour stops.
Read on for a list of all 20 shelters.
3 Huskateers / Brian Gillette: Emmaus, Penn.
Beaverhead Animal Shelter / Katy Reasoner: Dillon, Mont.
Brookings Regional Humane / Amy Dravland: Brookings, S.D.
Fetching Tails Foundation / Doreen Wos: Itasca, Ill.
Forest County Humane / Jamie Shampo: Crandon, Wis.
Grant County Humane Society / Janelle Bennett: Elbow Lake, Minn.
Heart of Louisiana Humane Society / Sheila Dickson: Winnfield, La.
Idaho Humane Society / Jolene Davis: Boise, Idaho
Lake Humane Society / Annette Zahradnik: Mentor, Ohio
Lucas County Pit Crew / Christy Ordorica: Toledo, Ohio
Operation Pets Alive / Christine Melley: The Woodlands, Texas
PAWS / Carol Watson: Norwalk, Conn.
Pope Memorial Humane Society / Kathy Campbell: Thomaston, Maine
Rags 2 Riches Rescue / Heather Hastings: Ashton, Penn.
Renegade Animal Welfare & Rescue / Marilyn Elrod: Merced, Calif.
Spirit of Imitaa / LV Pilling: Browning, Mont.
Strayhaven / Marcia Combine: Greenville, Penn.
Stray Rescue of St. Louis / Kellie Heckman: St. Louis, Mo.
The Animal Pad / Keren Rivkin: San Diego, Calif.
Williamson County Animal Shelter / Lee Moore: Franklin, Tenn.
Christmas Shopping Spree
MuttNation aided shelter pets in and around Nashville in Dec. 2021 after doing some Christmas shopping.
A huge shopping haul at a Tractor Supply store in Franklin, Tenn. was followed by surprise visits to three beneficiaries: Williamson County Animal Center, Metro Nashville Animal Care & Control and Nashville Humane Association.
"This time of year, it's so important to remember shelter animals everywhere," Lambert said in a press release. "These three shelters have been important local partners to MuttNation over the past several years, and we all know how tough it's been for them. I just wanted to show my appreciation."
A YouTube video chronicles Lambert's good deed and its rewards, including a snuggle session with a tiny kitten named Natalie Cole.
Lambert and her team's good deed inspired Tractor Supply to donate $1,000 gift cards to 10 shelters and rescues across the country.
"MuttNation's Love Harder campaign to raise awareness for dogs that are less frequently adopted has been an inspiration to all of us at Tractor Supply," said Nicole Logan, vice president of Divisional Merchandise Management at Tractor Supply, in a press release. "We share Miranda's affection for all shelter animals and wanted to support her efforts during this special time of year."
Love Harder
MuttNation teamed earlier in 2021 with one of Lambert's musical heroes and fellow dog lovers, Emmylou Harris, for the Love Harder campaign.
"I got to sit with my SHEro Emmylou Harris to kick-off an extra special campaign for @MuttNation Foundation called #LoveHarder!," Lambert wrote on Instagram. "This year, @muttnation's putting a big spotlight on dogs that are so easy to love, but harder to get adopted...pitbull mixes, big black dogs, senior dogs & dogs with special needs."
Harris' own pet charity, Bonaparte's Retreat, is named after her late dog and longtime travel companion. Per its website, the non-profit "focuses on the neglected and forgotten—senior dogs, large dogs, or dogs in need of imminent medical care or surgery. Our mission is to love and care for these wonderful animals for as long as it takes to find their forever homes."
"They bring so much into your life, somehow," Harris says about senior dogs in the above video. "Maybe it's cause I'm an old dog myself, you know, that I appreciate old age and maybe that we need a little more comfort and care."
