For many years, the ASPCA has provided animal welfare grants to organizations across the country. Since the disaster of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the ASPCA has significantly increased its grant-making volume and reach. This has helped the ASPCA respond quickly to emergencies with financial assistance where it is needed most, and to carefully match resources with needs across the country.
Today, the ASPCA is the nation’s second-largest animal welfare grant maker, providing support to U.S.-based nonprofit animal welfare organizations through cash grants, sponsorships, executive and technical assistance, and training. In 2013, the ASPCA gave over $17 million in grants to more than 1,100 animal shelters, municipal and governmental agencies, rescue groups, sanctuaries, and other animal welfare organizations nationwide. Organizations in all 50 states and U.S. territories have received funding and are eligible to apply.
Grants are available for a wide range of activities that further the ASPCA’s mission.
Animal Shelter Grants, Animal Rescue Grants and Spay/Neuter Grants
The ASPCA’s funding priorities are focused on saving more lives through animal shelter grants and animal rescue grants that decrease the number of animals entering shelters and increase the number of animals going home. Projects include:
- Spay/neuter and Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs
- Tagging and microchipping
- High-volume adoption events
- Foster and foster-to-adoption programs for at-risk animals
- Safety net programs for vulnerable animals (e.g., pet food banks to keep animals in their homes)
- Relocation programs to bring animals from high-supply/low-demand areas to areas of low supply and high demand
- Conference sponsorship and scholarships for training and education of animal welfare professionals
Anti-Animal Cruelty Grants
The ASPCA’s anti-cruelty funding priorities include anti-cruelty grants for costs associated with the prevention of and response to animal cruelty toward animals, including but not limited to:
- Animal cruelty investigation programs
- Large-scale seizures (puppy mills, hoarding, animal fighting)
- Expenses incurred as a result of cruelty seizures, such as veterinary care, housing, transport, spay/neuter and placement
- Outreach programs aimed at preventing or eliminating animal cruelty
- Advocacy for anti-cruelty ordinances and legislation
- Conference sponsorship and scholarships for training and education of animal law enforcement professionals
The ASPCA Equine Fund provides grants to animal welfare organizations that care for horses, mules, donkeys and ponies—both wild and domestic—in alignment with our efforts to protect all equines.
- Housing and rehabilitation of the equine victims of cruelty seizures
- Emergency feed, hay, and supplements
- Capital improvements, expansion programs, safety projects, and emergency repairs
- Training programs
- Safety net programs, veterinary vouchers, and gelding and vaccination clinics
Emergency & Disaster Response Grants
The ASPCA provides emergency funding to animal welfare organizations and government agencies whose communities suffer the impact of natural and other disasters.
Grants may be made for the following purposes:
- Resources, including pet supplies and food for pet owners
- Shelter/rescue supplies and equipment
- Sheltering or temporary boarding and fostering of rescued or at-risk animals
- Transfer or relocation of animals affected by the disaster/emergency
- Veterinary expenses and medical care for animals
- Infrastructure repairs and rebuilding
For more information on how your local shelter can apply for one of our animal shelter grants, visit aspcapro.org/grants .
The ASPCA currently does not provide financial assistance to individuals, but we encourage you to tell your local groups about our animal shelter grants, animal rescue grants and other funding opportunities!