## Furry Friends Find Forever Homes at TurfMutt Foundation’s Mutt Madness Event
The 6th Annual Mulligan’s Mutt Madness, a national dog adoption event organized by the TurfMutt Foundation, brought joy to both humans and canines during the Equip Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky. Held on Thursday, October 17th, the event successfully placed 12 dogs into loving homes, proving that sometimes the best things in life come in furry packages.
This heartwarming event, which benefits the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS), has been a cherished tradition for six years, and has helped over 70 dogs find their forever families. This year’s adoptees included a heartwarming pair of beagle brothers, several adorable chihuahua puppies, and a friendly German Shepherd mix, all finding their perfect matches with loving families.
The event, held in Mulligan’s Garden Park within the West Wing of the Kentucky Expo Center, provided a unique opportunity for dogs and their potential families to connect in a relaxed and playful atmosphere. “Designed to look like a community park, featuring grass, shrubs and park benches, humans and dogs could connect and play, just like in the real world,” said Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation.
“Mutt Madness is one of the KHS’ most beloved annual adoption events,” shared Alisa Gray, President & CEO of KHS. “We appreciate the support of the TurfMutt Foundation and Equip Exposition and their generosity which impacts the lives of so many of our shelter animals.”
One particularly heartwarming adoption story involved a chihuahua puppy named BarbieQ who found her forever home with Michael Stephani, owner of Formula K Equipment. “We recently lost our dog Tucker and while at Mutt Madness we immediately felt a connection to BarbieQ. It’s almost as if Tucker led us to her,” said Stephani. “BarbieQ instantly became part of our family. She and our 80-pound dog get along extremely well. We adore her. We thank Mutt Madness and the Kentucky Humane Society for this amazing event.”
Beyond the heartwarming adoption success, the TurfMutt Foundation also used the Equip Exposition to further its mission of promoting green spaces for people and pets. The Foundation hosted Mulligan’s 5K Fun Run and Walk, sponsored by Active Dynamics, and officially rededicated Louisville’s award-winning Waterfront Park on the Ohio River as the TurfMutt Foundation Great Lawn. This renaming marks a significant milestone in the Foundation’s commitment to creating accessible and inviting green spaces for all to enjoy.
“The TurfMutt Foundation Great Lawn is an example for all cities, illustrating how to integrate green space for people (and pets) to enjoy, within an active, thriving cityscape,” said Kiser.
Of course, no TurfMutt event is complete without the Foundation’s mascot, Mulligan the TurfMutt, a real-life rescue dog and “spokesdog.” Mulligan was present at the Equip Exposition, spreading his message of green spaces and responsible pet ownership.
To learn more about the TurfMutt Foundation and their mission, visit TurfMutt.com and download their International Backyarding Fact Book. You can also sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation. Keep an eye out for Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television show on Saturday mornings!
The TurfMutt Foundation, celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, has reached over 70 million children, educators, and families since 2009. Through its educational programs and partnerships, the Foundation has taught students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” Today, TurfMutt is an official USGBC ® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB.
The TurfMutt Foundation’s impact extends far beyond their home state of Kentucky. They are a trusted resource for the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, their animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. Their dedication to green spaces was even recognized in the 2017-2020 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. The TurfMutt Foundation’s impact is a testament to their commitment to creating a brighter future for both people and pets.
