Grant Programs
VCA Charities Grant Programs
VCA Charities programs support shelter partners and animal welfare organizations with grant funding for adoption readiness, veterinary care and disaster relief to pets in need. All applicants must be a 501c(3) nonprofit organization with running programs that deliver assistance to adoptable and/or owned pets in the United States.
Ready for Rescue Grants
Pet ownership brings joy to the entire family, which is why we help adoptable pets find loving homes through our Ready for Rescue Grants. These grants provide animal welfare organizations with financial support needed to help remove potential barriers to pet ownership and celebrate the role that pets play in our lives. Eligible expenses include medications, vaccines and medical supplies, in-house veterinary care, pet food and pet care supplies, transportation costs to rescue or relocate pets, behavior training and modification as well as much needed enrichment, to prepare shelter, rescue, or foster pets for adoption.
We are not accepting applications at this time. Please check back for updates.
Dog Day Out
VCA Charities' Ready for Rescue grant program works to provide animal welfare organizations with financial support and the resources to ready pets for adoption. Our newest program, Dog Day Out, is a field trip based out-of-the-box solution to alleviate kennel stress and help get dogs adopted more quickly. As part of this program, VCA Charities provides in-person training for shelter partners and grant funding to launch, maintain or grow Dog Day Out programs in local communities.
Second Chance KONG®
VCA Charities partners with KONG® and KVP to collectively help pets find and remain in loving homes through Second Chance KONG grants aimed at making second chances possible for shelter pets across the country. Many shelters have limited resources for behavior and enrichment programs which are critical for positive outcomes — especially for large active dogs who are waiting in shelters for longer periods of time and more likely to experience higher levels of kennel stress. Nonprofit and municipal animal shelters may apply for a VCA Charities Second Chance KONG grant of 250, 500, or 1,000 KONG toys, depending on shelter dog population, in order to keep adoptable dogs engaged and busy while they wait for their forever home.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Disaster Relief Grants
VCA Charities helps nonprofit partners assist pets in need when — not ‘if’ — the next disaster strikes. Disaster Relief Grants provide financial support to animal welfare organizations whose communities have suffered the impact of natural or other disasters. Grants may also support partnering organizations assisting in rescue, relief, and transport efforts.
Eligible expenses include medical supplies, veterinary care, pet food and pet supplies (including crates), temporary shelter and boarding costs for rescued or at-risk pets, other immediate materials (cleaning supplies, bedding, blankets, etc.) to keep pets safe and comfortable, transportation costs to rescue or relocate pets, and other expenses related to providing disaster relief, including overtime salaries, rental equipment, facilities and cleanup costs. Applicants may apply for immediate funding or may request reimbursement for up to three months post disaster.
The maximum grant award is $10,000. Applications may be submitted at any time.
Fighting Hometown Hunger
Designed to help keep pets in loving homes, this program helps fight hometown hunger by providing healthy, nutritious meals to pets through nonprofit partners with pet food pantries in local communities across the country. In partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, nearly 600,000 meals are provided annually to pets belonging to pet owners experiencing financial hardship.
We are not currently accepting applications for new nonprofit partners.
HOPE Funds
HOPE Funds offers financial assistance for income-qualified pet owners whose pet is suffering from an immediate life-threatening condition. You do not need to be an existing VCA Animal Hospitals client to apply for HOPE Funds, but treatment and the application process will most often be completed at a VCA Animal Hospital. Due to the high demand for assistance, not everyone who applies for HOPE Funds will be approved, and the entire cost of your pet’s treatment will not be covered. All applications submitted must be reviewed for both medical and financial eligibility.
Please contact your local VCA Animal Hospital for more information and eligibility.