The 2024 Open Arms Challenge preparation begins in February!

Join us for the 2024 Open Arms Challenge! This Challenge is all about opening our hearts and minds to more accessible and inclusive practices. Maddie’s Fund^® is partnering with 24 national organizations to encourage animal shelters, foster-based organizations and public charities to pilot new approaches that welcome your entire community during the month of April.

And as if increased inclusivity and community engagement weren’t incentive enough, there’s also $510,000 in grant prizes available!

Please note: February is prep month!

Challenge registration is open from February 26 – March 6, 2024, and the Challenge will take place in April. But now is the time to start preparing! Be sure to join the Weekly Community Conversations in February that will serve as Challenge prep, in addition to reviewing a plethora of resources in the meantime.

The goal of this Challenge is to increase inclusivity and provide a welcoming environment for all staff (paid and unpaid) and community members; and keeping pets with people and animals in their communities when possible. What that looks like is different for every organization. It can be as simple as returning voicemails in a timely manner, providing literature in multiple languages or completely rewriting or doing away with the adoption application, to undertaking bias training or choosing new neighborhoods for adoption events. The Open Arms Challenge can be applied to any of your organization’s programs and services.

So, join us as we break down barriers and welcome all to adopt, foster and make a difference in animal well-being (welfare) community.

This Challenge is funded by Adopt a Pet, California for All Animals, Life of Riley, Maddie’s Fund^®, Michelson Found Animals Foundation and Ryan Animal Rescue Foundation and in collaboration with American Pets Alive!, ASPCA, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, Best Friends Animal Society, BISSELL Pet Foundation, The Community Cats Podcast, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE), Cuddly, Greater Good Charities, HeARTS Speak, Humane Society of the United States, JVR Shelter Strategies, Maddie’s^® Million Pet Challenge, National Animal Care and Control Association, Petco Love, Petfinder Foundation, PetSmart Charities and Shelter Animals Count.