Best Grants for Animal Rescue in Washington

Nonprofit animal welfare organizations and municipalities in Washington that are member agencies can apply for the Washington Federation of Animal Care & Control Agencies’ spay/neuter grants to fund dog and cat surgeries. Eligible member organizations focused on animal rescue and pet overpopulation may receive support for procedures benefiting low-income pet guardians and feral or free-roaming cats.

Washington animal welfare and related charities can access funding through Sunstate Equipment Foundation to support programs for abused or neglected animals, disadvantaged people, housing assistance, medical aid, domestic violence protection, and veterans. Eligible charities in good standing may apply once every 12 months in communities where the foundation operates.

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.

With a mission to advance animal health, Morris Animal Foundation provides Washington animal welfare researchers with funding for hypothesis-driven studies improving the health and welfare of domesticated cats. Established investigators with strong peer-reviewed publication records, including academic or industry collaborators, may be eligible for approximately US $100,000 over up to 36 months.

Veterinary schools, research institutions, and similar organizations conducting feline health research can seek funding to advance the welfare of domesticated cats, including community and pet cats, in Washington and beyond. Grants from Morris Animal Foundation help animal welfare and rescue-focused groups collaborate on hypothesis-driven studies, offering up to US $145,000 for fellowship training and salary support for new investigators.

Veterinary researchers conducting equine-focused studies in Washington can receive support for horse health care research and professional development. The Equus Foundation and The Foundation for the Horse provide US $5,500 total, including a $5,000 scholarship and $500 travel stipend to the AAEP Convention, for AVMA-accredited veterinary graduates nearing completion of a residency or doctoral program.

No-kill animal rescue and shelter groups that are Petfinder members in Washington and across North America can use this program to support daily care for adoptable pets. With a mission to help shelters and rescue groups save pets, Petfinder Foundation provides US $250 - US $1,000 for food, supplies, vaccines, and other operational needs.

Washington animal welfare and advocacy organizations, research groups, and individuals working to improve nonhuman animal wellbeing can access funding through the Centre for Effective Altruism’s Animal Welfare Fund; awards up to US $200,000 support advocacy, research, movement-building, and alternative protein policy work with a global focus, including neglected regions and large-scale farmed animal issues.

Animal welfare and veterinary-focused 501(c)(3) organizations and exempt governmental units in Washington can seek funding for muscular dystrophy research or treatment, veterinary scholarships, and shelters or homes for small animals. Frances Downing Nix offers US $6,000 - US $12,000, with preference for Atlanta hospitals treating muscular dystrophy and accredited veterinary schools providing student scholarships.

Animal rescue and animal welfare 501(c)(3) organizations, including those in Washington, can apply for Tipgoomoogus Memorial Trust grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000 to support the care and comfort of small household pets. Funding is available year-round, with applications due by April 30 for review at the annual grant meeting.

U.S.-based animal welfare nonprofits, government agencies, and select for-profit organizations providing free vaccine services may be eligible for this campaign, including those serving Washington communities. Grants from Petco Love help expand access to no-cost vaccinations for pets and other domestic animals in need through the Vaccinated & Loved Campaign Grant.

U.S. nonprofit or municipal animal shelters and rescues with at least 100 dog and cat intakes, including those in Washington, can apply for ASPCA’s Rescue Effect Campaign Grants, with awards of US $10,000 to support adoptions and operations. Funding supports organizations that can offer multiple fee-waived adoption days during the campaign period.

Animal welfare nonprofits and government agencies providing veterinary care to owned pets can seek Community Care Grants to support on-site, mobile, or pop-up clinics in Washington and nationwide. Focused on preventive veterinary services, Banfield Foundation offers funding and medical supplies that may benefit animal rescue organizations serving pets and their owners.

Academic research institutions working on animal health, veterinary science, or zoonotic disease prevention in the U.S. and territories can apply for FDA’s Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers cooperative agreements, with awards up to US $7,500,000. Projects may support Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza interventions, intentional genomic alterations, or products for minor species and unmet veterinary medical needs, which may benefit animal welfare efforts in Washington.

U.S. veterinary schools with ACT-approved small animal theriogenology residency programs can seek support to fund a canine-focused resident in reproductive health and clinical genetics. Grants from American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation help programs train future specialists, which may benefit Washington organizations involved in animal welfare and purebred or purpose-bred dog health. Awards up to US $150,000 cover two- or three-year residencies.

Athletes for Animals Grants offer essential funding to non-profit animal welfare organizations in the U.S. and Canada. These grants support programs focused on adoptable companion animals, specifically canines and felines, ensuring they are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. Organizations are encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to animal welfare by not euthanizing adoptable animals. Applications are accepted semi-annually, with a wait period of 18 months between applications.

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.