Opening an animal shelter is a rewarding challenge for many animal lovers.
If you're an animal lover, you may have thought about opening an animal shelter. However, your second thought was doubtlessly how costly it would be to make that dream a reality. Well, there are resources available to assist you--specifically in the form of animal welfare grants. These grants are available to qualifying animal lovers to start or improve animal shelters in the United States and Canada.
PetSmart Charities Grant Program
PetSmart grants millions of dollars annually to support spay and neuter programs. PetSmart has partnered with animal welfare agencies across the United States and Canada to support efforts to end homeless pet overpopulation. The PetSmart Charities' mission is to improve the quality of life for all companion animals by creating and supporting programs that promote healthy relationships between people and pets. Funds received from PetSmart Charities must be spent on spay and neuter procedures for targeted pets or on free-roaming cats and dogs. PetSmart Charities grants range from $10,000 to $100,000 annually, with the possibility of a two-year commitment. Grantees also receive coaching support from PetSmart during the course of the funded project.
PetSmart Charities
19601 N. 27th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85027
800-423-7387
petsmartcharities.org
Maddie's Fund Starter Grants
Maddie's Fund was established as an animal rescue foundation to help fund the creation of a no-kill nation. Since 1999, Maddie's Fund has awarded start-up animal welfare organizations $71.6 million to save the lives of dogs and cats. Starter Grants offer developing shelters monetary assistance as they work on the various components of their community collaborations. Animal groups operating in the United States in areas with a human population of 100,000 or more are eligible to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000. These grants are to be used to provide the tools necessary to help achieve a no-kill status in your community.
Maddie's Fund
2223 Santa Clara Ave.
Suite B
Alameda, CA 94501
510-337-8989
maddiesfund.org
The Animal Welfare Trust
The Animal Welfare Trust's (AWT) grant program, founded in 2001, seeks to assist organizations that work toward alleviating animal suffering. AWT is a 501(C)(3) private operating foundation devoted to promoting the well-being of the animal community. The AWT grant program prefers to award grants to well-defined projects with clear goals and objectives; capital projects will not be considered. Grants range from $2,500 to $20,000 and can be awarded for a single- or multi-year period. AWT bestows 10 to 15 grants annually, and applicants are encouraged to submit a letter of inquiry to determine if the intended grant request falls within the scope of the Animal Welfare Trust's funding program.
Animal Welfare Trust
P.O. Box 737
Mamaroneck, NY 10543
914-381-6177
animalwelfaretrust.org
The Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant
Established in 1969, the Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant is available through the American Humane Association for the expansion and improvement of 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal shelters. Grantees must be a supporting member of the American Humane Association and be an approved nonprofit agency through the IRS. Grants may be awarded in any amount up to $4,000 annually, and must be used to increase or improve the quality of care given to animals.
American Humane Association
63 Inverness Drive E.
Englewood, CO 80112
800-227-4645
americanhumane.org
American Humane/HomeAgain Universal WorldScan Grant
The Universal WorldScan Grant awards shelters that are members of both the American Humane Association and HomeAgain state-of-the-art handheld scanners to read microchips found in lost pets. Qualifying organizations may receive up to 10 microchip scanners free of charge. The number of scanners granted to your shelter is based on the number of pets your facility handles. However, the American Humane/HomeAgain Universal WorldScan Grant is committed to awarding a minimum of 200 Universal WorldScan Readers nationwide.
American Humane Association
63 Inverness Drive E.
Englewood, CO 80112
800-227-4645
americanhumane.org
The Second Chance Fund
Also available through the American Humane Association, the Second Chance Fund provides financial assistance to animal shelters responsible for the care of animals as they are prepared for adoption. The Second Chance Fund is only offered to shelters that are current members of the American Humane Association. Funding to any one organization is limited to $2,000 per monetary year and is only awarded in specific cases of animal abuse or neglect. Funding must be used only to cover medical procedures for animals that have been victims of abuse of neglect. The medical procedures covered under the grant will allow the animals to recover and live a comfortable life once being placed for adoption.
American Humane Association
63 Inverness Drive E.
Englewood, CO 80112
800-227-4645
americanhumane.org
Tags: American Humane, American Humane Association, Humane Association, PetSmart Charities, Animal Welfare Trust, Maddie Fund, Universal WorldScan