Best Grants for Dog Rescues in Montana

Nonprofit organizations in Montana working on animal welfare, dog health and care, or service dog training can access funding through the Cross Charitable Foundation, by invitation only. Grants also support education, homelessness services, and wildlife and habitat conservation, with eligibility limited to organizations in Idaho, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming.

The ASPCA is offering up to $14 million in Spay/Neuter Grants for shelters and clinics across the U.S. to enhance spay/neuter services for vulnerable animals. Proposals can address critical infrastructure needs and major capital projects to increase spay/neuter capacity. Only one application per organization is permitted, and applicants must choose one funding category. The focus is on compelling proposals that meet the most urgent needs.

The AKC Rescue Grant, offered by the AKC Humane Fund, provides essential financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on canine rescue and welfare. Grants cover significant expenses such as veterinary care, spaying, and essential supplies. Eligible applicants include AKC Parent Clubs and 501(c)(3) organizations dedicated to dog rescue. This grant aims to facilitate specific projects and operational needs while ensuring compliance with reporting requirements for awarded funds.

The Petco Love Canine Cancer Fund Grant supports active and retired working canines diagnosed with cancer. Established in 2012 through a partnership with Petco Love, Blue Buffalo, and the Search Dog Foundation, this grant alleviates financial burdens for handlers, ensuring their canine partners receive necessary treatments. Funding is allocated on a case-by-case basis, allowing many working dog teams facing cancer to benefit each year. This initiative emphasizes the importance of preserving the quality of life for these heroic animals.

The Canine Healthcare Fund Grant provides vital medical coverage for SDF-trained canines throughout their lives, ensuring they receive top-notch veterinary care at no expense to their handlers or agencies. Additionally, it extends support to non-SDF-trained handlers of active and retired disaster search canines, covering veterinary costs for wellness, illness, and injury not funded by their organizations. Each handler may receive up to $1,000 annually to help manage these essential healthcare expenses.

VCA Charities offers the Ready for Rescue Grants to support animal welfare organizations in preparing pets for adoption. With a maximum award of $10,000, this program focuses on enhancing the mental and physical well-being of companion animals through various activities, including enrichment and training. Eligible organizations must be registered nonprofits dedicated to animal welfare, adopting out at least 500 pets annually. Applications are accepted twice a year, with deadlines approaching soon.

The Morris Animal Foundation is dedicated to improving the health of animals through scientific research and funding. With a focus on domesticated cats, the Feline Health First Award supports innovative research that addresses the welfare of both community and pet cats. Grants are available for projects lasting up to 24 months, with a maximum budget of $120,000. This initiative encourages collaborations that translate research findings into practical applications for veterinarians and cat caretakers.

The Morris Animal Foundation offers the Annual Feline Health Pilot Study Award to support innovative research that enhances the health and welfare of domesticated cats. This funding is aimed at proof-of-concept studies, advancing animal health research through collaborative projects. With a maximum funding of $20,000 for a 12-month duration, the foundation seeks proposals that have a significant impact on both scientific and community stakeholders, ensuring a healthier future for feline populations.

Research institutions and experienced investigators conducting animal welfare studies can apply for Morris Animal Foundation’s Established Investigator Award, offering approximately US $100,000 for feline health research. Focused on advancing the health and welfare of domesticated cats, this opportunity may benefit Montana organizations connected to veterinary care, shelter medicine, or companion animal research.

Veterinary schools, research institutions, and similar organizations conducting feline health research in Montana can apply for Morris Animal Foundation’s Fellowship Training Grants, with awards up to US $145,000 for up to 24 months of salary support. Grants from Morris Animal Foundation help Montana animal welfare programs by supporting early-career investigators improving the health and welfare of domesticated cats.

Montana animal welfare and veterinary professionals pursuing advanced equine veterinary research can access funding through Equus Foundation’s Equus Veterinary Research Fellowship. This U.S.-wide program provides US $5,500 in scholarship and travel support for graduates of AVMA-accredited veterinary schools nearing completion of a residency or doctoral program, including those already funded elsewhere.

No-kill pet adoption groups caring for domestic animals and pets in Montana can receive US $250 - US $1,000 to support daily operations and care. Petfinder Foundation’s Wag Wine Operation program, open to Petfinder members in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, funds supplies, food, vaccines, and other essentials for adoptable pets.

With a mission to improve animal welfare through advocacy and research, Centre for Effective Altruism provides Montana animal-focused organizations and individuals with up to US $200,000 for high-impact projects. Dog rescues pursuing policy, research, or movement-building work around domestic animals may be eligible alongside other animal welfare initiatives worldwide.

Animal welfare and veterinary-focused 501(c)(3) organizations and eligible government units in Montana can seek US $6,000 - US $12,000 to support muscular dystrophy research or treatment, veterinary education scholarships, or small animal shelters and homes. The Downing Nix Trust may particularly favor Atlanta hospitals treating muscular dystrophy and accredited veterinary schools offering scholarships.

Animal welfare nonprofits caring for small household pets, including dog rescues in Montana, can apply for grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000 to support the care and comfort of domestic animals. Grants from Tipgoomoogus Memorial Trust are open to 501(c)(3) organizations nationwide, with a preference for shelters and dog pounds and those in New Jersey.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government agencies, and certain animal-welfare-focused for-profits providing free vaccine services can apply for Petco Love’s Vaccinated & Loved Campaign Grant. Organizations in Montana operating dog rescues or pet welfare programs may be eligible if their primary mission is animal welfare and they offer no-cost vaccinations to communities in need.

Montana animal welfare organizations and municipal shelters with at least 100 annual dog and cat intakes can access funding through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to support adoption operations. This nationwide Rescue Effect campaign grant offers US $10,000 to help run multiple fee-waived adoption days during August, September, and October.

Animal welfare nonprofits and local or state government agencies providing veterinary care to owned pets in Montana can receive funding and medical supplies to support on-site, mobile, or pop-up clinics. Banfield Foundation supports preventive veterinary care for pets and their owners across the U.S., which may benefit dog rescues offering accessible vet services.

Academic research institutions working on veterinary science, animal health, or animal welfare in Montana can access funding through the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine to become Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers. Grants up to US $7,500,000 support research on avian influenza, zoonotic diseases, genomic alterations in animals, and unmet veterinary medical needs, which may benefit dog rescue–related initiatives.

U.S. veterinary schools with American College of Theriogenologists–approved residency programs can seek up to US $150,000 to support a canine-focused theriogenology resident. Focused on veterinary reproductive health, the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation invites programs to strengthen training in canine reproduction and clinical genetics, which may benefit Montana organizations collaborating with veterinary partners serving dogs.

Veterinary sports medicine residency programs in the U.S. that are credentialed by the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation can apply for funding to train a canine-focused resident. Focused on veterinary science and animal welfare, the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation offers up to US $300,000 for three-year programs, which may benefit Montana dog-focused organizations through advanced clinical training and research.

Animal welfare researchers and organizations in Montana and across the U.S. can apply for the ASPCA Open Access Publishing Fund, which awards up to US $5,000 to cover article processing charges for open-access, peer-reviewed publications. Academic faculty, students, independent researchers, and animal welfare groups studying domestic animals and pets may be eligible.

2026 ASPCA Grants for Shelters and Spay/Neuter Clinics

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is offering up to $14 million in grants to support shelters and spay/neuter clinics in meeting the needs of vulnerable animals throughout the United States, including addressing the shortfall in available spay/neuter surgeries. We will fund qualified proposals that support:

• Critical shelter infrastructure
• Strengthening shelter essentials
• Increasing the number of spay/neuter surgeries year-over-year 
• Major capital projects that increase spay/neuter capacity
• Special projects that increase spay/neuter capacity

Spay/Neuter Grants

Spay/Neuter Major Capital Projects

Only one application per agency/organization will be considered. 

Applicants may choose only one of the five funding categories. Our interest is in meeting your most pressing needs in one of the offered categories; we do not have our own preference for funding one category over another. We will fund the most compelling proposals, regardless of category chosen.

2026 ASPCA Grants for Shelters and Spay/Neuter Clinics

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is offering up to $14 million in grants to support shelters and spay/neuter clinics in meeting the needs of vulnerable animals throughout the United States, including addressing the shortfall in available spay/neuter surgeries. We will fund qualified proposals that support:

• Critical shelter infrastructure
• Strengthening shelter essentials
• Increasing the number of spay/neuter surgeries year-over-year 
• Major capital projects that increase spay/neuter capacity
• Special projects that increase spay/neuter capacity

Spay/Neuter Grants

Increasing Spay/Neuter Surgeries

Only one application per agency/organization will be considered. 

Applicants may choose only one of the five funding categories. Our interest is in meeting your most pressing needs in one of the offered categories; we do not have our own preference for funding one category over another. We will fund the most compelling proposals, regardless of category chosen.

2026 ASPCA Grants for Shelters and Spay/Neuter Clinics

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is offering up to $14 million in grants to support shelters and spay/neuter clinics in meeting the needs of vulnerable animals throughout the United States, including addressing the shortfall in available spay/neuter surgeries. We will fund qualified proposals that support:

• Critical shelter infrastructure
• Strengthening shelter essentials
• Increasing the number of spay/neuter surgeries year-over-year 
• Major capital projects that increase spay/neuter capacity
• Special projects that increase spay/neuter capacity

Shelter Grants

Strengthening Shelter Essentials

Only one application per agency/organization will be considered. 

Applicants may choose only one of the five funding categories. Our interest is in meeting your most pressing needs in one of the offered categories; we do not have our own preference for funding one category over another. We will fund the most compelling proposals, regardless of category chosen.

2026 ASPCA Grants for Shelters and Spay/Neuter Clinics

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is offering up to $14 million in grants to support shelters and spay/neuter clinics in meeting the needs of vulnerable animals throughout the United States, including addressing the shortfall in available spay/neuter surgeries. We will fund qualified proposals that support:

• Critical shelter infrastructure
• Strengthening shelter essentials
• Increasing the number of spay/neuter surgeries year-over-year 
• Major capital projects that increase spay/neuter capacity
• Special projects that increase spay/neuter capacity

Shelter Grants

Critical Shelter Infrastructure

Only one application per agency/organization will be considered. 

Applicants may choose only one of the five funding categories. Our interest is in meeting your most pressing needs in one of the offered categories; we do not have our own preference for funding one category over another. We will fund the most compelling proposals, regardless of category chosen.

PetSmart Charities

We’re proud to celebrate over 30 years of being the leading funder of animal welfare in communities across North America. Since 1994, we’ve granted over $600 million to change-making organizations that help transform the lives of pets and those who love them.

Our Mission: We make the world a better place for pets by investing in community partners that advocate and care for the well-being of pets and all who love them.

Adoption Growth Grants 

Purpose

Adoption Growth grants drive lifesaving outcomes by supporting successful, sustainable in-store adoption programs, events, and results in partnership with PetSmart stores.

Funding Support

Funding may be used for costs associated with building or enhancing your organization’s adoption program in partnership with PetSmart stores, including:

• Staff positions supporting in-store adoption programs and events.
• Marketing and advertising for in-store adoption programs.
• Volunteer or foster support, incentives, and recruitment related to in-store adoption events.
• Event supplies, including containment and enrichment materials.
• Shelter software and technology needs.
• Vehicle repairs or transportation to adoption events.
• Innovative in-store adoption ideas and pilot programs.
• Other costs directly associated with facilitating PetSmart adoptions and in-store events.

There are two Cohorts under this funding: Cohort 1-  Accelerating in-store adoptions; and Cohort 2: Capacity Building.

Cohort 2: Capacity Building

Applicants must have completed at least one adoption in a PetSmart store within the last 12 months.

Preference will be given to organizations seeking to build a consistent, sustainable in-store adoption program. Applications should include a clear plan, with examples, for sustaining the program over time.

Four Required Steps

Applicants must complete all four required steps below before submitting a grant application:

• Step 1 - Watch the kick-off video and complete the Adoption Accessibility Questionnaire
• Step 2 - Confirm eligibility and connect with your Adoptions Grant Manager: After completing the questionnaire, you will receive an email confirming your eligibility. Eligible partners will be invited to a call with their Adoptions Grant Manager to discuss the grant opportunity, expectations, and potential fit.
• Step 3 - Engage your PetSmart store partners: Discuss your intent to apply, align on goals, and gain their commitment to support the success of your in-store adoption program.
• Step 4-  Submit your application.