Grants for Animal Rescue

Grants & Advocacy

We offer financial support to qualified partner organizations around the country, such as humane societies, rescue organizations, no kill shelters and advocacy groups. These organizations support our mission by providing rescue, foster and transport services; offering free obedience training and pet care education; and are directly involved in fighting against the inhumane treatment of animals.

We advocate for the adoption of companion pets from local shelters and discourage the purchase of pets from pet stores that obtain animals from commercial puppy factories commonly known as “puppy mills.” Additionally, we subsidize adoption fees for approved networking programs and partners, to help encourage rescuers to take in more animals who are at risk of imminent euthanasia by helping them offset some of the enormous financial burden. 

The only solution to saving animals is a “compassion revolution”—a collective effort on the part of animal advocates across the country working together to end animal overpopulation and cruelty. 

Mission

The primary mission of the Laura J. Niles Foundation is to encourage and support efforts to improve the lives of animals. The Foundation seeks to benefit animals in general, and dogs in particular, by supporting research, training, and adoption programs and projects. Programs which enhance the human-animal bond are viewed with favor.  

Primary Program Interests

Animals - The Foundation is seeking ways to benefit animals, particularly dogs, and is especially interested in programs that help animals and people, simultaneously. The Foundation is targeting areas that include animal medical research, animal protection, adoption, search & rescue, assistance dogs, equine therapy and similar areas of endeavor. Currently, the Foundation does not consider spay/neuter programs to be a priority, given the limited funds which are available. 

Education - a secondary area of focus for the Foundation is the education of economically disadvantaged youth. This program area includes primary, secondary and higher education.

Guiding Principles and Considerations 

• The goal of the Foundation's Board is to pursue a deliberate and proactive course of "strategic philanthropy"
• Favors programs addressing long-term solutions to the causes of problems, as distinguished from programs that simply treat the symptoms.
• Added emphasis on programs and organizations that address the intersection of its various interests.
• Encourages pilot initiatives that test new program models.
• Particular interest in organizations that promote collaborative efforts among groups and organizations.
• Qualities sought by the Foundation in its grantee organizations are: effective and dynamic personnel; passionate leadership; a bias against bureaucracy; prudent managements & governance practices; and commitment to results and overall assessment of program impact.

The majority of the Laura J. Niles Foundation's grantmaking is focused in the northeastern United States, although, occasionally, grants may be made in other regions of the country and/or abroad. However, any grant for international programs or projects will be made only through US tax-exempt organizations.

​As a privately endowed family foundation, the mission of The Neal Foundation is to provide grant opportunities to  organizations involved in ongoing activities promoting the humane treatment of animals through the prevention of neglect, suffering, abuse, and cruelty. 

BISSELL Pet Foundation’s 2022 grant cycles will be exclusively for spay/neuter requests. Funding restrictions for BISSELL Pet Foundation Partner Grant include:

Spay/Neuter: $35 will be awarded per dog spay/neuter and $25 will be awarded per cat spay/neuter. Organizations must follow Humane Alliance protocols including 24 hours of pain management.

Microchips: microchips will be available upon request through our microchip provider, Petstablished. Microchips will be shipped directly to your organization upon the approval of a submitted spay/neuter grant application.

Mission Statement

The Harris Foundation envisions making the world a better place for the well-being and safety of plants, animals and human beings.

Areas of Support

The William H. and Mattie Wattis Harris Foundation funds organizations that qualify for 501(c)(3) status in five areas:

• Animal Welfare: sanctuaries, no-kill animal shelters, rescue, adoption and population control.
• The Arts: children’s theater, documentaries, videos, and Community outreach.
• Conservation: animal field research, protection of natural resources including conservation education programs, documentaries, videos, and community outreach.
• Educational Camps: environmental, health and special needs camps.
• Preventative Health: animals for the physically challenged, children’s health, global populations, women’s health.

Geographical Focus

The geographical focus for giving is concentrated in the western United States including the Rocky Mountains and intermountain regions. International Conservation & Global Population programs are also of interest.

Criteria

The Directors consider projects for funding which identify root causes and develop innovative solutions.

Other criteria for funding are as follows:

• That the project be unique and have a far reaching impact with lasting benefits.
• That the organization be able to fulfill the goals set, and
• That there are specific plans for continuing the work started by this project.

The William and Charlotte Parks Foundation for Animal Welfare

The Foundation was established to improve the status of animals worldwide through studies of the science and philosophy of animal welfare/rights and to reduce, through practical efforts and initiatives, the suffering and harm inflicted on animals by human beings.

The Grants Committee makes grants to both animal protection organizations and to individual scholars pursuing work consistent with the goals of the Trust founders.

Types of Grants

The Parks Foundation makes awards, usually not more than $10,000 per annum, to support projects, research, and other activities calculated to advance the welfare of animals.

The Parks Foundation currently ONLY considers applications for Project Grants

The application should describe the need for the project (e.g., how will the status of animals be improved), outline its basic protocols, and discuss its feasibility, the likely chance of its success, and the methods by which it will be evaluated. The applicant organization should provide a projected annual budget and time for completion, and list other entities that have been approached for financial support, and the stage these applications have reached. The qualifications of the project director should also be provided. Proposals will be judged by a number of criteria, including originality, potential impact on animal welfare, the number of animals affected, the project’s time frame, and feasibility, the track record of the applicant, the need for the program or data, the public accountability of the organization, and the likelihood of achieving other sources of funding.

Successful applications include:

• Evidence that the organization or applicant is making a concerted effort to assess the effectiveness of programs;
• Evidence that the organization has been striving in substantial ways to reduce animal pain, stress, and suffering, and to improve animal welfare.

In recent years successful applicants have received project grants to support:

• adoption programs;
• enrichment initiatives;
• animal rescue training;
• research and data websites;
• equipment purchase or small-scale repairs or renovations tied to specific program initiatives;
• canine behavior training;
• public awareness campaigns;
• humane education;
• campaign plans;
• law enforcement training;
• small-scale facility additions;
• cage purchases;
• conference and festivals;
• curriculum development;
• staff training and education;
• anti-cruelty hotlines;
• animal welfare certification initiatives;
• psychology and social psychology research concerning cruelty and kindness;
• habitat enhancement; and
• disaster response and recovery activities. 

Other areas of potential interest to the Parks Foundation grants committee including

• the development of alternatives in education;
• the development of best practices in companion animal care and services;
• application of the “Three R’s” approach (refinement, replacement, and reduction of animal use to reduce animal pain or suffering) in laboratory, agricultural, and other sectors;
• methods and strategies of population control;
• predator protection;
• the prevention of animal cruelty through social or other interventions;
• promoting knowledge and awareness of the science, philosophy, and ethics of animal welfare and animal rights;
• research and survey work concerning public attitudes and behaviors; and animal welfare publishing.

NOTE: Prior to submitting a proposal, the Animal Protection Program Director must be contacted by telephone or email to discuss the proposed project.

Founded in 1988 by Dallas philanthropist, Annie Lee Roberts, The Summerlee Foundation is a mission driven, proactive organization with a strong desire to address significant issues in animal protection and Texas history. Since inception, the Foundation has awarded 30 million dollars to grantees.

The Foundation makes grants for two specific purposes:

• To alleviate fear, pain and suffering of animals and to promote animal protection and the prevention of cruelty to animals.
• To research, promote and document all facets of Texas History.

Animal Protection Program

Since its establishment, The Summerlee Foundation has promoted a new ethic towards our fellow beings through its national and international grantmaking programs supporting rescue, research, rehabilitation, and advocacy. Our grants have assisted a wide variety of programs, including second chances for companion animals, protection of wild carnivores, sanctuary and refuge, and endangered species protection and advocacy. While many of these projects have been controversial, all have been critically important. Collectively, we have alleviated fear, pain and suffering in countless animals’ lives, advanced and expanded the rights of all non-human animals, defended the laws that protect them, and created new policies to address new grievances against them. We have rescued, re-homed, relocated, and rehabilitated these animals.

And while we can celebrate our many successes, we must also confront the emerging and expanding threats to our most vulnerable animal populations: climate change, persecution and exploitation on a global scale, wildlife extinction and disease, companion animal abandonment, and intentional cruelty and torture. The challenges are serious and many.

By working together, creatively and opportunistically, with vision and with wisdom, we will continue to protect and give sanctuary and refuge to the underserved, the voiceless, the persecuted, and the helpless.

The Summerlee Foundation is enormously proud of the dedication and achievements of its grantseekers and congratulates all of you for your vision, your commitment, and your ability to make a difference in the lives of so many.

Funding Priorities

Geographically:

The Americas with special emphasis on those communities which are the most underserved and the most challenged.

Programmatically:

• Cats only in the United States and Canada –
• The tragedy of cat overpopulation and homelessness in this country results in intense and immense suffering due to disease, starvation, and inhumane practices by some local communities and agencies. 
• Funding emphasis is on sterilization and vaccination primarily in rural or underserved communities.
• Dogs outside of United States, primarily in Latin America –
• Emphasis on sterilization, vaccination, and humane euthanasia.
• Wildlife –
• Primarily mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, and black bears, funding only those programs which protect through ethical-based research and advocacy/educational campaigns.
• Marine Life –
• Emphasis on addressing marine mammal issues, health and well-being and anti-captivity (dolphins and orcas).
• Sanctuary for Captive Animals –
• Captive wild animal sanctuaries should be verified or accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.
• Wildlife Rehabilitation –
• Emphasis on hands-on animal care (emergency rescue, food, medications, housing improvements).
• Emergency funding –
• May be awarded through the Annie Lee Roberts Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS) fund administered by the Humane Society of the United States

The Petco Foundation

Since 1999, we’ve invested millions in adoption and medical care programs, spay and neuter services, pet cancer research and numerous other lifesaving initiatives—always investing wisely in organizations with the most lifesaving impact. In partnership with animal welfare organizations and 1,500 Petco stores across the country, we help bring pets together with loving families every day.

About our investments

As one of the nation's largest funders of animal welfare causes, we hold a responsibility and obligation to invest funds wisely in organizations that achieve their mission and vision. Therefore, success, accountability, and prudent use of funds are important to our grant analysis and follow-up process. We have an expectation that animal welfare organizations continually endeavor to achieve a high standard of doing more, and are determined to save as many lives as possible with our investment.

Grants For Sheltering and Adoption Organizations

Organization Type: Our applications are categorized by organization type instead of by type of project or program. It is important that you read the organization type definitions carefully prior to filling out an application and that you apply using the correct application for your organization.

Please read the descriptions below and select the most appropriate category for your organization:

• Animal Control agencies & non-profit organizations responsible for animal control sheltering.
• This application is available to governmental agencies or nonprofit organizations that are providing animal control sheltering per local ordinance. Your organization should apply under this application if:
• You are a government agency, department or division providing animal control sheltering; or
• o You are a 501c3 nonprofit organization and you are providing animal control sheltering as a service
• SPCA/humane societies and other non-profits that operate primarily out of an animal sheltering facility.
• This application is available to nonprofit organizations such as SPCAs, humane societies and other similar types of nonprofit organizations that operate primarily from a building or facility for sheltering animals until adoption. 
• Organizations applying under this application may also perform significant other functions like spay/neuter surgeries and veterinary clinic services in addition to the primary service of placing animals up for adoption.
• IMPORTANT: If your organization provides animal control sheltering via contact as a substantial part of your operations, please select the application for organizations responsible for animal control sheltering.
• Non-profit organizations that are primarily foster-based rescues.
• This application is available to nonprofit organizations that are providing adoption and various other services for animals in need. Your organization should apply using this application if: 
• You are a 501c3 nonprofit organization;
• A primary service of your organization is temporarily caring for animals in need for the purpose of finding them new homes; and
• Your organization is primarily a foster-based organization (meaning the great majority of the animals are cared for in foster homes).

For the organization types listed above, there is one grant cycle available during each year. Applicants may submit one proposal per grant cycle. For organizations receiving multi-year funding, all installment payments must have been completed before submitting a new application. For organizations that have received funding in the past, all outstanding follow-up reports (including all annual reports for multi-year grants) for previous awards must be completed before submitting a new application. 

Lifesaving Impact Award/Plan

If your organization serves a significant number of animals (at least 2,500 annual intake), you may apply for a lifesaving impact award. Lifesaving impact awards are grants of $100,000 or more and/or multi-year awards. Lifesaving impact awards are very limited and the process to request such award is more extensive. The amount of such award that your organization is seeking should be directly related to the number of animals that your organization serves, the percentage impact that our investment will make on your lifesaving efforts and many other factors.  Lifesaving impact awards may be submitted for any purpose provided that your lifesaving impact award is expected to result in an increase in your lifesaving percentage or other significant positive impact for the animals of your community. 

Lifesaving impact awards may be submitted for a variety of purposes, such as capital improvements, staffing and resource building, equipment needs, medical care, etc.

About Rachael Ray Foundation™

The Rachael Ray Foundation™ is funded by a portion of proceeds from each sale of Rachael's pet food, Nutrish®. The Foundation was launched by Rachael in 2016 to better support the causes she cares for most such as helping animals in need.

The Rachael Ray Foundation and Best Friends Animal Society are committed to helping Best Friends Network Partners increase lifesaving in their communities through impactful, innovative, and inclusive programming. Every year, there are two types of Rachael Ray grants for which partners can apply.   

Grants for Animal Rescue to Save More Lives: The Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants

The Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants fund projects to reduce the lifesaving gap of cats and dogs in U.S. shelters. We welcome project proposals from public and private shelters, rescue groups, and other animal welfare organizations that enable lifesaving in a community.  

The Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants fund projects that increase lifesaving of cats and dogs in U.S. shelters. We welcome project proposals from public and private shelters, as well as rescue groups and other animal welfare organizations focused on impacting lifesaving at shelters. 

Your organization can apply for a grant of up to $50,000, with the amount requested not exceeding 10% of your operating budget. The average grant awarded last year was just under $13,000, therefor granting may only cover partial funding needed for your project. 

Project Requirements

• Projects can be focused on just one event/program or can include multiple events/programs.   
• Proposed projects should align with regional priorities. Projects that satisfy these priorities will have the largest impact on lifesaving in each region.   
• We welcome project proposals from public and private shelters, rescue groups, and other animal welfare organizations that enable lifesaving.
• If the applicant that is applying is an organization that is already no-kill, their project needs to be impacting a shelter that has a lifesaving gap and has not achieved a 90% save rate.  
• If awarded, the applying organization will need to submit quarterly impact statistics of how many lives were impacted through the project.  
• The impacted shelter’s intake and outcome data will need to be submitted as well, in order to calculate the reduction in gap to 90%, which will measure success of the project.  
• Best Friends will make calculations for reduction in lifesaving gap after all data points are submitted. These two metrics (impacts and reduction number in lifesaving gap) will be used for grant accountability and measuring success.  

Regional Priorities

Before you begin an application, please review the priorities for your region to ensure that your project aligns. 

Southeast: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina 

South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas

Great Plains: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota

Mountain West: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming

Northeast: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

Pacific: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington

Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin

Mid-Atlantic: District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia