Miranda Lambert Opens No-Kill Animal Haven, Donates $175,000 To US Shelters

Country star Miranda Lambert is dedicated to rescuing animals and finding them loving homes. This past January her foundation's annual Mutts Across America:  50 States/50 Shelters campaign was able to donate $175,000 to shelters across the U.S.

"We feel so privileged to be able to continue supporting these shelters that truly stand out," Bev Lambert, who started MuttNation Foundation with her daughter, Miranda, said in a statement. "We salute all of the individuals who follow their passion to help animals and defend those who cannot defend themselves."

MuttNation was founded in 2007, and since then has over $1.5 million for animal treatments, food, puppy mill rescues, service dog training, education programs, spay and neuter initiatives, and legislative changes, according to Life With Dogs.

The Lamberts' animal rescue initiatives don't end there, though.  

Last November, MuttNation took over a five-acre animal shelter in Tishomingo, Okla., that had treated its animals barbarically. Now revitalized and renamed Redemption Ranch, the no-kill animal shelter houses dogs in much larger kennels, has better fencing, a nursery, and an intensive-care unit.

"Nothing brings me more joy than seeing a person adopt a shelter dog," Lambert told Rolling Stone Country in an interview last year. "The looks on both of their faces - the dog and the person - when you see that match happen, it just brings me so much joy."

MuttNation also holds an annual fund-raising event called Cause for the Paws and partners with the North Shore Animal League and Red Star Emergency Relief to provide mill rescue and emergency disaster aid.

When identifying Redemption Ranch as a no-kill facility, it is important to understand the different kinds of animal shelters out there. Since "kill" is often seen as offensive or disheartening, shelters refer to themselves based on their admissions policies, which often determine which and how many animals at the shelter are to be euthanized.

"Open Admission" or kill shelters accept all animals brought to them. As a result, they run the risks of spreading diseases, such as ringworm, or overpopulation, and are forced to euthanize a certain number of animals.   

"Limited/ open admission" or low kill shelters have a much more rigorous screening process and only euthanize animals for severe medical or behavioral reasons.

No-kill shelters, sometimes bunched with limited admission facilities, also have a thorough screening process. However, they do not have resources to euthanize animals, so they will not accept any over or a certain age, or those that have behavioral or medical issues.

As a no-kill shelter Redemption Ranch accepts only 50 dogs at a time, on an admission basis. This ensures the facility does not get overpopulated with animals it cannot provide the necessary care for. 

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