Grants for Dog Rescues

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.

NOTE: Letters of introduction will be accepted only the first month of each quarter ('letter of inquiry' deadlines above). Immediately after that they will be reviewed and possible grant recipients will receive grant applications for completion. Grant decisions are made each quarter with deadlines on 'full proposal' deadlines above.

The Doris Day Animal Foundation funds nonprofit 501c3 organizations that need assistance in their work of caring for and protecting animals. Through our grants, scores of animal rescue and welfare organizations have received sustaining resources to continue their work, to offer additional services or to expand their reach to the animals who most critically need their help. A special focus for DDAF is on programs benefitting senior pets and the people who love them.

What programs does DDAF generally fund?

• Spay/neuter programs, special needs programs, senior care programs, medical expenses for senior animals, rescue and placement of senior animals, and pet food pantries.
• We have on occasion funded grants for therapy dogs in hospice situations, training of assistance dogs, wildlife rehabilitation, protective vests for police dogs, education programs, and even a scholarship in the field of veterinary medicine.
• Recently, we have been focused on assisting senior companion animals, but we are open to your suggestions.
• We are always interested in the many ways loving people around the country are helping animals.

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

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

All projects must demonstrate, with statistics, a direct impact on saving animals’ lives.

Projects can be focused on just one event/program or can include multiple events/programs.

Proposed projects should align with regional priorities as identified by the 2019 National Dataset from the Pet Lifesaving Dashboard. Projects that satisfy these priorities will have the largest impact on lifesaving in each region.

Before you begin an application, please review the priorities for your region to ensure that your project aligns. Contact your regional specialist with any questions you have about priorities and/or how your project meets the requirements for these animal welfare grants. 

Regional priorities

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

Competitive proposals must demonstrate, with statistics, a direct impact on saving animals’ lives and/or leading to a reduction in the number of cats and dogs killed in shelters. Proposals without shelter data will not be considered. Priority consideration will be given to projects focused on helping in those areas where the most killing is occurring. Refer to the pet lifesaving dashboard to see where the greatest lifesaving opportunities are your area. 

In the Southeast region, we are looking for programs that:

• Show a measurable reduction in the number of cats killed in shelters. (Types of programming may include targeted spay/neuter, return to field, TNR with intake diversion, or neonatal kitten programs.)
• Increase live shelter outcomes and/or decrease shelter intake.
• Support programming to reduce shelter deaths (managed intake, pet retention and the launch or expansion of foster programs).
• Collaboration between organizations to strategically reduce killing in shelters including programs that fund rescue’s ability to pull more adoptable animals.

South Central (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas)

Rachael Ray Save Them All Grants will be awarded to programs that directly reduce killing in shelters through programs that:

• Directly expand capacity in live outcome programs that may include programs and process improvements that increase adoptions, transports, returns to owner, rescue group transfers or shelter-neuter-return programs (Programs must directly increase live outcomes for animals in the shelter or likely to enter the shelter system, based on data and past practice.)
• Increase community capacity, thereby reserving sheltering services for the animals in greatest need through intake reduction (The programs, which may include return-in-field, trap-neuter-return or managed intake, must directly support animals likely to enter the shelter system because of current practices and supported by historical data.)
• Increase lifesaving within the shelter by expanding capacity to support historically vulnerable populations to achieve live outcomes through programs such as foster programs.

Great Plains (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota)

In the Great Plains region, top priority will be given to projects that demonstrate decreased intake at community animal shelters or increased live shelter outcomes — especially for cats. Foster-based rescue groups interested in receiving grant funds should be reporting their data each month to the Shelter Animals Count Best Friends coalition, working toward minimizing owner surrender and lowering adoption barriers, and be working collaboratively with a shelter or municipal animal control.

Programs that reduce shelter intake could include:

• Community cat (stray and feral cat) programs.
• Increased access to affordable veterinary care for both owned animals and groups that don't/can't employ vet staff.
• Targeted spay/neuter/vaccine/microchip efforts.
• Returning to owner in the field.
• Owner surrender/intake diversion programming or partnerships (scalable and customized to the needs and capacity of the org).

Increasing live shelter outcomes could include:

• Increasing the number of animals pulled from municipal shelters.
• Increasing pet adoptions as a result of lowered adoption barriers and improved engagement.
• Developing behavior/training initiatives and partnerships to increase lifesaving and placement for at-risk dogs.
• Transporting animals, particularly cats and large dogs, from high priority communities or shelters.

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

The Mountain West region will prioritize Save Them All Grants that:

• Show a measurable reduction in the number of cats killed in shelters (Types of programming may include targeted spay/neuter, return to field and TNR)
• Are focused on large dogs in southern Nevada, New Mexico or Arizona (Owner support, spay/neuter, behavioral support, or transports are some examples.)
• Support both cats and dogs on the Navajo Nation. Highest priority will be given to programs that either prevent the necessity for impoundment via spay/neuter and owner support, or result in the direct pulling of animals from animal control facilities - data encouraged.
• Ensure lifesaving programs can be successful by removing barriers.

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

In the Northeast region, grant projects aimed at directly reducing killing in shelters with the highest impacts will be given top priority. Proposed projects MUST demonstrate (with statistics) a direct impact on saving the lives of animals and/or a trend toward reducing the number of dogs and cats being killed.

The top three priority states within our region are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Please refer to our pet lifesaving dashboard to help identify other key communities within the region. Some examples of potential granting opportunities include but are not limited to:

• Increasing live shelter outcomes.
• Working in conjunction with shelters to show measurable reduction of shelter killing, such as in return-to-field and targeted TNR programs.
• Creating collaborative programs to directly reduce shelter deaths, such as pulls from shelters in need and transfer/transport programs.
• Decreasing lifesaving gap through collaboration with community shelters.

Pacific (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington)

In the Pacific region, competitive proposals must demonstrate (with statistics) a direct impact on reducing shelter killing. Priority consideration will be given to projects focused on helping in areas where the most killing is occurring. Examples include: 

• Programs that show a measurable reduction in the number of cats killed in shelters. Types of programming may include: 
• Return-to-field/shelter-neuter-return cat programs (providing healthy impounded stray cats spay/neuter, vaccinations, ear tipping and returning to the outdoor location they were found).
• Lifesaving neonatal (under eight weeks) kitten programming.
• Medical programs for at-risk shelter animals, such as ringworm, parvo/panleuk, or other conditions previously unable to be saved.
• Programs targeted toward significantly increasing live outcomes for at-risk large dogs. 
• Focus on collaboration between organizations to strategically reduce killing in shelters.

Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin)

In the Midwest region, we are looking for:

• Programs targeted toward increasing life outcomes for cats (foster programs, community cat programs, return-to-field programs, barn cat programs and innovative adoption or medical programs).
• Programs that return to owners in the field.
• Programs targeted toward increasing live outcomes for medium and large dogs (foster programs, behavior programs, adoption programs, promotion programs or diversion programs).

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

Competitive proposals must demonstrate (with statistics) a direct impact on saving the lives of animals and/or a trend toward reducing the number of cats and dogs killed in shelters. Priority consideration will be given to projects focused on helping in areas where the most killing is occurring. Refer to the pet lifesaving dashboard to see where the greatest lifesaving opportunities are in each state or your state (whichever suits you better).

In the Mid-Atlantic region, we are looking for programs that:

• Increase live shelter outcomes.
• Show a measurable reduction in the number of cats killed in shelters (Types of programming may include targeted spay/neuter, return-to-field, intake diversion and TNR, or neonatal kitten programs.)
• Support programming to reduce shelter deaths (managed intake, pet retention and the launching or expansion of foster programs).
• Focus on collaboration between organizations to strategically reduce killing in shelters.

BISSELL Pet Foundation’s 2021 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.

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

About Us

PEDIGREE Foundation is working to find a solution to the problem of the millions of homeless dogs in this country. Through our grant programs, we support organizations that save the lives of dogs that would otherwise be lost.

The Foundation was established in 2008 by dog lovers with a passionate belief that every dog deserves a loving home. PEDIGREE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation that supports shelters and rescue organizations, as well as encouraging people to ADOPT, VOLUNTEER, and DONATE.

PEDIGREE Foundation grants are funded by the PEDIGREE® Brand and contributions from dog lovers like you. Your tax-deductible donation* helps us reach even more dogs in need.

Program Development Grants 

To increase adoption rates, with a priority on the following types of programs: transport, matching and foster.

Specifically, our grants are intended to:

• help improve the quality of care of dogs while in shelter or rescue to increase adoption potential
• increase adoption rates within shelters or rescues through programs and/or new initiatives in the animal welfare community