Pedigree Foundation Grants: Full Details

You’re looking at a grant program that’s been pivotal since 2008, allocating over $15.3 million to improve animal shelters and rescues across North America. In 2025 alone, these grants supported nearly 119,000 dogs, addressing critical needs like fostering, behavior training, and disaster relief. The program offers distinct opportunities such as the DOGS RULE.™ Grant and Program Development Grants, each designed to improve how shelters operate and increase dog adoptions. But what makes these grants truly transformative for shelters struggling with adoption rates and capacity?

Key Takeaways

• The Pedigree Foundation has awarded over $15.3 million since 2008, helping more than one million dogs find homes and supporting disaster relief for over 35,000 dogs.
• Grants support over 6,400 animal shelters and rescues, with nearly 900,000 dogs rescued and adopted through these funds.
• The DOGS RULE.™ Grant provides $100,000 over two years for innovative shelter projects focused on adoption and foster programs.
• Disaster Relief Grants are available year-round for emergencies like wildfires and floods, supporting displaced dogs and preparedness efforts.
• Applications for all Pedigree Foundation grants are open until April 13, 2025, for organizations with 501(c)(3) status and focus on transport, foster, or behavior support.

Impact of PEDIGREE Foundation Grants

Although the PEDIGREE Foundation has awarded over $15.3 million in grants since 2008, its impact goes far beyond just funding—these grants have directly helped more than one million dogs find homes.

You’ve seen grant effectiveness in action, from boosting foster programs to supporting disaster relief for over 35,000 dogs.

In 2025, $1.2 million in grants aided nearly 119,000 dogs, while the Foster 50 Initiative increased active fosters by 11% and helped nearly 16,000 dogs.

These results fuel future initiatives, ensuring more dogs get the care and homes they need.

Grant Awards Since 2008

Since 2008, the PEDIGREE Foundation has awarded over $15.3 million in grants, supporting more than 6,400 animal shelters and rescue organizations.

These grants have helped over one million dogs find loving homes, highlighting a significant milestone in addressing pet homelessness.

Each year, including 2024 when 96 organizations received funding to assist over 77,000 dogs, the foundation continues to increase its impact by addressing shelter capacity challenges and promoting adoption initiatives.

Historical Grant Totals

For more than a decade and a half, the PEDIGREE Foundation has stood as a steadfast partner to shelters and rescues, channeling resources directly into the hands of those who care for homeless dogs.

Since 2008, it has distributed over $15.3 million through its grant allocation efforts, funding more than 6,400 organizations dedicated to dog welfare. These funding sources have helped nearly 900,000 dogs find homes, addressing animal welfare capacity challenges intensified by the pandemic.

In 2024 alone, 96 shelters received grants, aiding over 77,000 dogs on their journey to adoption.

Milestone: Dogs Helped

The PEDIGREE Foundation has surpassed a major milestone by helping over one million dogs find homes since awarding its first grants in 2008.

Your shelter partnerships fuel successful adoptions through targeted support initiatives.

Consider these key impacts:

• Over 6,400 grants awarded to shelters and rescues
• $15.3 million invested in adoption programs
• Nearly 900,000 dogs rescued and adopted through funded initiatives
• 96 organizations funded in 2024 alone, supporting 77,000+ dogs
• Focus on foster, transport, and behavior programs to boost adoption rates

Your involvement with these grants directly increases successful adoptions and shelter partnerships.

Annual Impact Trends

More than 6,400 grants totaling over $15.3 million have powered the PEDIGREE Foundation’s efforts to boost dog adoptions since 2008, directly supporting shelters and rescues across North America.

Your grant trends show steady growth, with 96 shelters helped in 2024 and nearly 119,000 dogs supported in the 2025 cycle alone.

Funding evolution reflects a sharp focus on foster programs, behavior training, and transport—key areas driving adoption rates even as shelter intake edges toward 2.8 million dogs annually.

2025 Grant Cycle Highlights

While you prepare your grant application, keep in mind that the 2025 PEDIGREE Foundation grant cycle offers up to $1 million to shelters and rescues nationwide, focusing on proven solutions that get more dogs into homes.

Your organization can benefit from these key funding opportunities:

• Innovation Drives Impact: DOGS RULE.™ Grants support bold, creative programs that tackle adoption barriers—think outside the kennel to stand out.
• Program Development: Strengthen core operations or launch new initiatives with grants designed to build shelter and rescue capabilities.
• Disaster Relief: Apply anytime for year-round support in crises, ensuring vulnerable dogs aren’t left behind during emergencies.
• Proven Focus Areas: Funding targets fostering, transport, and behavior programs—all shown to reduce length of stay and boost adoptions.
• Guided Process: Attend the March 4 webinar for insider tips on crafting a competitive application and maximizing your submission’s potential.

Types of Grants Available

Though shelters and rescues face diverse challenges, the PEDIGREE Foundation tailors its funding through several targeted grants designed to tackle specific needs. You can apply for the DOGS RULE.™ Grant—$100,000 over two years for bold, innovative projects that promote adoption and set examples for the field. If you need to bolster your organization’s programs, investigate Program Development Grants ($10,000–$15,000), which fund new or expanded initiatives to improve dog adoption rates. Collaborative Grants ($265,000 total) reward partnerships that drive adoption through joint efforts. Disaster Relief Grants are available year-round to help shelters hit by natural disasters, with $227,000 awarded in 2025. Remember, your grant application must meet 501(c)(3) funding eligibility requirements—government shelters with a “Friends of 501(c)(3)” designation also qualify. No medical or veterinary care expenses are covered this year, so focus your proposals on foster, behavior, or transport programs.

DOGS RULE.™ Grant Details

The DOGS RULE.™ Grant stands out as a significant opportunity, providing $100,000 over two years to fund bold, innovative projects that improve dog adoption and welfare.

When preparing your grant application, consider these key points:

• Funding opportunities target initiatives that can become best-practice models for shelters and rescues.
• The grant supports development of foster programs, increasing adoption chances by 14 times.
• Only organizations with current 501(c)(3) tax designation are eligible.
• Previous grants have benefited nearly 119,000 dogs in 2025 alone.
• Projects supported often address the post-pandemic capacity crisis in animal welfare.

Program Development Grants

You can secure essential funding to improve your shelter’s programs, focusing on foster care, transport, and behavior assistance that directly elevate adoption rates.

These grants empower you to implement new initiatives designed to streamline operations and increase the number of dogs finding forever homes.

Program Enhancement Funding

Because shelters and rescues face constant pressure to improve lives for dogs in their care, Program Development Grants from the PEDIGREE Foundation provide essential funding—between $10,000 and $15,000—specifically to expand and upgrade operational programs at 501(c)(3) organizations across the U.S. and Canada.

• Boost shelter program success with targeted grant utilization strategies
• Fund new or expanded programs that directly benefit dogs
• Access expert guidance through application webinars
• Join 34 organizations awarded over $480,000 in 2025
• Strengthen programming capabilities for better outcomes

Adoption Rate Improvement

When you focus on Adoption Rate Improvement, Program Development Grants from the PEDIGREE Foundation provide critical funding of $10,000 to $15,000 to shelters and rescues, enabling you to expand programs directly aimed at increasing dog adoptions. In 2025, $480,000 supported 34 organizations, helping you improve adoption strategies, boost volunteer engagement, and overcome behavioral hurdles that delay adoptions. By leveraging this funding, you can advance volunteer recruitment, foster programs, and community outreach to make a measurable impact on adoption rates.

New Initiative Support

Although shelters and rescues face ongoing challenges, Program Development Grants from the PEDIGREE Foundation empower you to launch and improve innovative initiatives focused on fostering, behavior training, and transportation solutions.

These grants offer new strategies to amplify your operational impact with funding between $10,000 and $15,000. In 2025, more than $480,000 supported 34 organizations like yours in expanding programs that increase dog adoption rates.

To qualify, you must have 501(c)(3) status and apply by April 14, 2024. Gain guidance through the scheduled webinar to improve your application.

• Develop expanded foster care programs
• Implement advanced behavior training techniques
• Create efficient transport networks
• Test innovative solutions for foster management
• Strengthen organizational capacity with new strategies

Disaster Relief Grants

To enable shelters and rescues to respond quickly when disaster strikes—such as wildfires, floods, or other emergencies—PEDIGREE Foundation’s Disaster Relief Grants are available year-round, specifically designed to address urgent crises that disrupt the lives of pets and the organizations that care for them.

If your shelter faces a natural disaster, you can apply separately from annual grants; grant eligibility depends on demonstrated need during crises.

In 2025 alone, $227,000 supported over 35,000 displaced dogs. These funds boost disaster preparedness, ensuring immediate care, transport, and emergency sheltering so you’re ready to act when communities and their pets need you most.

Foster 50 Initiative and Challenge Grants

You’ll see the Foster 50 Initiative has sparked significant growth in foster programs, boosting active fosters by 11% and helping nearly 16,000 dogs find homes in just its first year.

With $100,000 in Challenge Grants, the program funds innovative approaches that reduce shelter pressure and speed up adoptions.

This strategy utilizes the proven impact that even one foster sleepover makes dogs 14 times more likely to be adopted.

Foster Program Growth

Since its launch in partnership with Maddie’s Fund, the Foster 50 Initiative has transformed foster care by recruiting nearly 9,000 new fosters in its first year and boosting active fosters by 11%, which has helped care for almost 16,000 dogs nationwide.

Have you witnessed what happens when foster programs grow? The ripple effect is undeniable—families open their homes, shelters gain breathing room, and dogs get a second chance.

• Foster family dynamics shift as communities rally, creating networks that support both pets and people.
• Fostering success stories multiply: dogs with just one foster sleepover are 14 times more likely to be adopted.
• Shelter pressure eases as temporary homes reduce overcrowding and stress.
• The Foster 50 Challenge Grants inject $100,000 into innovative programs, accelerating local solutions.
• Growth isn’t just numbers—it’s more dogs finding forever homes, faster.

This expansion proves that when you invest in fostering, you invest in lifesaving change.

Every new foster home means another dog out of the shelter, closer to adoption, and part of a bigger story—one where community action drives real results.

You can see the impact: adoptions accelerate, lengths of stay drop, and shelters can focus on quality care for those still waiting.

Foster program growth isn’t a nicety—it’s a necessity, and it’s working.

Challenge Grant Impact

Although challenges in shelter capacity and adoption rates persist, the Foster 50 Challenge Grants have made a decisive impact by injecting $100,000 into innovative foster programs nationwide.

These grants boost foster engagement by empowering nearly 9,000 new fosters, increasing active fosters by 11%, and supporting care for almost 16,000 dogs.

By emphasizing fostering, the initiative dramatically improves adoption success, as dogs with just one foster sleepover are 14 times more likely to be adopted.

This approach eases shelter pressure and accelerates placements, proving the critical role of foster programs in transforming outcomes for homeless dogs.

Collaborative Grant Opportunities

In terms of tackling the growing challenges in animal welfare, the PEDIGREE Foundation’s Collaborative Grants stand out by empowering organizations to join forces and drive real change.

You can utilize these grants, totaling $265,000 in 2025, to improve your partnerships and maximize impact through shared resources and expertise.

Focus on collaboration benefits and smart funding strategies to address issues like shelter capacity and long dog stays.

Key grant features include:

• Supporting innovative initiatives across multiple organizations
• Encouraging teamwork within the animal welfare community
• Addressing capacity crises and lengthening shelter stays
• Fostering more efficient dog adoption processes
• Strengthening rescue and shelter effectiveness through collaboration

Application Process and Eligibility

When applying for a PEDIGREE Foundation grant, you need to guarantee your organization holds a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status as a shelter or rescue operating in the U.S., or be a government or municipal shelter partnered with a “Friends of 501(c)(3)” designation.

The application process is open now through April 13, 2025—check eligibility criteria closely, as only qualifying organizations can apply.

For application tips, attend the March 4, 2025 webinar or watch the recording afterward; these resources clarify requirements and help you craft a compelling program narrative.

Focus on one key area, like transport, foster, or behavior support, not all three.

Register early, review all guidelines, and tailor your submission to address a specific need in your community.

How to Stay Informed and Get Involved

How can you make sure you don’t miss important updates and opportunities with the PEDIGREE Foundation?

Stay connected through these key actions:

• Sign up for the newsletter subscription to get grant impacts and shelter success stories.
• Subscribe to email communications for future grant announcements.
• Engage with the foundation via social media to follow ongoing dog rescue efforts.
• Join grant webinars, like the one on March 4, 2025, to learn application tips.
• Support the mission through tax-deductible donations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Apply for a Pedigree Grant?

You can apply for a PEDIGREE grant by first confirming your grant eligibility—shelters and rescues with 501(c)(3) status in the U.S. are eligible. Then, review guidelines, register for the application process webinar, and submit your application through the PEDIGREE Foundation’s online portal before April 13, 2025.

What Is the Pedigree Grant for 2025?

The 2025 funding from PEDIGREE Foundation offers up to $1 million in grants to U.S. and Canadian animal shelters or rescues with 501(c)(3) status. Grant eligibility focuses on foster, behavior, and transport programs to boost dog adoptions. Grants include $100,000 DOGS RULE.™ awards and $10,000–$15,000 Program Development Grants.

Where Does the PEDIGREE Foundation Get Money?

The Pedigree Foundation gets money mainly from donations, corporate partnerships, and sales of DOGS RULE.® gear, ensuring funding sources are diverse and contributions are tax-deductible. They maintain financial transparency through public IRS filings and reports.

How to Get a Grant for an Animal Rescue?

You get a grant for an animal rescue by ensuring your organization meets grant eligibility, like having 501(c)(3) status, then applying with strong fundraising strategies that highlight your program’s innovation and impact during open cycles.

Conclusion

You can see how PEDIGREE Foundation Grants truly transform shelter dog lives by boosting foster programs, adoption support, and disaster relief. Since 2008, they’ve backed over one million dogs with more than $15.3 million in funding. In 2025 alone, nearly 119,000 dogs benefited, thanks to targeted grants like DOGS RULE.™ and Foster 50 Challenge Grants. These proven strategies reduce shelter stays and increase dog adoptions, proving investments here directly improve outcomes for dogs in need.