Program Development Grant

Program Development Grant is sponsored by Pedigree Foundation. One-year grant for developing or expanding foster, transport, or behavior programs proven to increase dog adoptions.

# PEDIGREE Foundation Opens its 2026 Grant Cycle - Pedigree Foundation [](https://www. pedigreefoundation. org/pedigree-foundation-announces-2026-grant-cycle/#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjUwNCIsInRvZ2dsZSI6ZmFsc2V9) [](https://www.

pedigreefoundation. org/pedigree-foundation-announces-2026-grant-cycle/#) [](https://www. pedigreefoundation.

org/pedigree-foundation-announces-2026-grant-cycle/#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjUwNCIsInRvZ2dsZSI6ZmFsc2V9) [](https://www. pedigreefoundation. org/pedigree-foundation-announces-2026-grant-cycle/#) [](https://www.

pedigreefoundation. org/pedigree-foundation-announces-2026-grant-cycle/#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjUwNCIsInRvZ2dsZSI6ZmFsc2V9) [](https://www. pedigreefoundation.

org/pedigree-foundation-announces-2026-grant-cycle/#) [](https://www. pedigreefoundation. org/pedigree-foundation-announces-2026-grant-cycle/#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjUwNCIsInRvZ2dsZSI6ZmFsc2V9) ## PEDIGREE Foundation Opens 2026 Annual Grants Cycle _Grants will support shelters and rescues in their dog adoption initiatives, with a goal of giving more than $1 million this year_ FRANKLIN, Tenn.

(Mar. 2, 2026) – Today, PEDIGREE Foundation opened its 2026 annual grants cycle, where animal shelters and rescue organizations can apply for funding to support their adoption initiatives that help dogs find the loving homes they deserve. The Foundation aims to provide more than $1 million in grants this year, focusing on supporting foster, transport and behavior programs, which are proven to increase adoptions.

While intakes of dogs at shelters were slightly down in 2025 (by 4% vs. 2024), adoptions and return-to-owners were also down (by <1% and 8%, respectively), compared to 2024. The year ended with more dogs in shelters than when it started, according to the2025 Annual Data Report by Shelter Animals Count at the ASPCA,underscoring the need for shelters and rescues to receive lifesaving support.

Since 2008, PEDIGREE Foundation has invested more than $15. 3 million across more than 6,400 grants to animal welfare organizations dedicated to helping dogs in need. In 2025, that commitment extended to 94 grants across the U.S. and Canada, positively impacting nearly 119,000 dogs and contributing to a significant milestone: more than one million dogs helped since the Foundation’s inception.

“Animal shelters are constantly facing capacity challenges, with data from Shelter Animals Count showing that more dogs entering shelters in 2025 than leaving them,” said Deb Fair, Executive Director of PEDIGREE Foundation. “By directing our funding to foster, transport and behavior programs, we’re helping shelters alleviate the volume of dogs in their care and get them into loving homes where they belong.

” The 2026 PEDIGREE Foundation annual grants cycle includes two types of grants that animal shelters and rescue organizations can apply for now: * **DOGS RULE.

™ Grants ($100,000 each)** – These two-year grants ($50,000 per year) will be awarded to fund new, creative and innovative initiatives that not only help their own organizations but also could serve as best-practice models for other shelters and rescues to help increase dog adoption rates.

* **Program Development Grants ($10,000 – $15,000 each)** – These grants will support activities that expand the outcomes of animal shelter and rescue organizations to improve dog adoption rates. This includes the expansion of existing programs or creation of new programs.

PEDIGREE Foundation will continue to focus on program categories that are helping to increase adoption rates across the animal welfare community, including: * **Foster** programs that move dogs temporarily into loving homes while they await adoption, with foster parents to care and advocate for them * **Transport** programs that support organizations in moving dogs from areas of overpopulation to areas where they’re more likely to be adopted * **Behavior** programs that help with socialization, training and stress relief, so dogs can learn and grow into adoption-ready pups ****Applications for the 2026****DOGS RULE.

® Grants****and****Program Development Grants****will be accepted now through April 13, 2026**. ** Interested organizations are invited to join a **webinar on Thursday, March 5 at 1:00 PM CST**, where PEDIGREE Foundation representatives will discuss the grants cycle and share tips on how to write a successful submission.

All applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax designation status with animal shelters or foster-based rescues operating in the U.S. to apply. Government and municipal shelters that hold a “Friends of 501(c)(3) designation” are also eligible. You can register for the webinar here, and registrants may access the recording on PEDIGREEFoundation.

org after March 5. To learn more about PEDIGREE Foundation or donate to help find loving homes for dogs in need, please visit PEDIGREEFoundation. org and follow PEDIGREE Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.

Our emails keep you up to date about how shelters and rescues use our grants to help dogs. Facebook-fTwitterInstagramYoutube PEDIGREE Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping dogs in need find loving homes. We provide grants to 501(c)(3) dog shelters and breed rescue organizations, and help dog lovers adopt, volunteer, and make donations.

Questions? Want to donate by phone? Call 1-615-807-4194 *Contributions to PEDIGREE Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

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