Ahead of returning to Texas for the Academy of Country Music awards this Thursday, May 16, the most-awarded artist in ACM history and passionate animal advocate Miranda Lambert has some good news for her home state, announcing nearly $130,000 in “It Takes Balls” spay & neuter grants awarded by her MuttNation Foundation to 34 organizations in East Texas, North Texas and the Texas Panhandle, with plans to expand to additional areas of Texas in the future. The “It Takes Balls” campaign was launched in Tennessee in 2023 to raise awareness for the importance of spay & neuter and offers grants to qualifying low-cost programs.
“I’m so happy to announce that our ‘It Takes Balls’ program has just awarded the first grants in my home state of Texas, to 34 organizations in the East, North and Panhandle regions, and we expect to open the application process up to other parts of Texas soon, too,” shared Lambert. “Please remember to spay or neuter your pets – it’s the best way to help reduce pet homelessness and keep animals out of the overcrowded shelters.”
Every day, 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. and, while beloved for their cuteness, there is nothing cute at all about seeing them in overcrowded shelters. More than 6.5 million cats and dogs entered shelters in 2023 and over 900,000 were euthanized, largely due to lack of space.
In addition to advocating for spay & neuter, MuttNation Foundation also supports shelters in times of emergency. This past week, flooding, massive storms and tornados have caused tremendous damage that impacted animals and animal shelters in Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia and beyond. The MuttNation-Tractor Supply “Relief For Rescues” Fund, supported by pet-loving Tractor Supply shoppers who generously provided a donation at checkout earlier this year, has made several donations to shelters in the affected areas. In partnership with Greater Good Charities, the MuttNation-Tractor Supply “Relief For Rescues” Fund has also provided families with pets in Texas and Oklahoma with pet food and wellness vaccines.
In an effort to continue raising funds that allow MuttNation Foundation to aid more animals each year, Lambert also recently announced the “Music for Mutts” benefit concert in celebration of the nonprofit’s 15th anniversary. Set for Oct. 5 at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, the concert will feature a performance by Lambert herself with additional artists to be announced soon. Tickets are on sale now via LiveNation.com.
About MuttNation Foundation
Founded by Miranda Lambert and her mom, Bev, in 2009, MuttNation Foundation is a donation-supported 501c(3) nonprofit organization that has raised nearly $10 million in support of its mission to promote the adoption of shelter pets, advance spay & neuter and educate the public about the benefits of these actions. MuttNation also provides financial support and works with transport partners to assist and relocate animals during times of natural disaster. MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert, a pet line of toys and supplies that benefits the Foundation, is available exclusively at Tractor Supply Company stores throughout the U.S. To learn more, visit www.muttnation.com.
About Miranda Lambert
Acclaimed groundbreaker/songwriter/superstar Miranda Lambert has defined her multi-faceted career as an artist, entertainer, entrepreneur, advocate and businesswoman with an unflinching quest for excellence, honesty and conviction. The most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history, including their top honor for Entertainer of the Year, her music has also won three Grammys and 14 Country Music Association Awards. A TIME100 honoree and perennial best of the year list maker at the New York Times, TIME, Rolling Stone, Billboard, Stereogum, People and more, NPR has called her “the most riveting country star of her generation.”
With seven No. 1 solo albums, 10 No. 1 hit radio singles, more than 80 prestigious awards and countless Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum sales certifications, she’s conquered Las Vegas with her twice-extended Velvet Rodeo residency and blurred genres with Leon Bridges, Enrique Iglesias, the B-52s, Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow and Elle King as well as her LGBTQ+ inclusive anthem “Y’All Means All” for Netflix’s “Queer Eye.” She’s taken those standards to become a New York Times bestselling author and the first and only woman on Lower Broadway with her Tex-Mex cantina Casa Rosa, while expanding her creative reach with her Wanda June Home collection exclusive to Walmart and her Idyllwind clothing and boot line available at Boot Barn.
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