NASHVILLE (CelebrityAccess) – Ahead of returning to Texas for the Academy of Country Music (ACM) awards tonight (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 and neuter grants awarded by her MuttNation Foundation to 34 organizations throughout Texas, with plans to expand to additional areas in the future. The “It Takes Balls” campaign was launched in Tennessee in 2023 to raise awareness for the importance of spaying and neutering 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 United States, and while beloved for their cuteness, there is nothing cute about seeing them in overcrowded shelters. More than 6.5 million cats and dogs entered shelters in 2023, and over 900,000 were euthanized, primarily due to a lack of space.
The 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 donated at checkout earlier this year, has donated several 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.
To continue raising funds and allowing the MuttNation Foundation to aid more animals yearly, Lambert recently announced the “Music for Mutts” benefit concert to celebrate the nonprofit’s 15th anniversary. Set for October 5 at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater, the concert will feature a performance by Lambert herself, with additional artists to be announced soon. Tickets are available now via Live Nation.
