Famed country music star Miranda Lambert gave a $3,000 grant to the non-profit Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation through the MuttNation Foundation, according to a recent press release.

Lambert and her mother, Bev Lambert, founded MuttNation eight years ago to support shelters and other animal rescue groups focused on high live release rates (above 90 percent), exceptional volunteerism, fiscal responsibility, spay/neuter advocacy and maintaining presence within the community, the release states.

An initiative, “Mutts Across America: 50 States/50 Shelters,” was launched through the foundation to select one shelter from each state, according to the release.

For the second year in a row, Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation was selected as Washington State’s grant recipient.

According to the release, organizations do not apply for funding but are selected by a board of directors at MuttNation Foundation. Members of the board conduct extensive research to determine those who meet the criteria.

According to the press release, Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation Executive Director Charles Vreeland said, “To be recognized for the second year in a row is a true testament to all the hard work of dedicated staff and compassionate volunteers, along with the ongoing support of the community.”

He added that this donation “reenergizes our uncompromising commitment” in providing quality care to shelter animals awaiting adoption.

Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation’s rate of live releases was 94.9 percent for 2014, according to the press release.

A live release rate above 90 percent demonstrates that the shelter is successful in its efforts to save all healthy and “unhealthy but treatable” animals in its care.

For more information about Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, visit waifanimals.org.