PEDIGREE Foundation Opens $1M+ in Grants for Shelter and Rescue Groups
March 8, 2026 · 2 min read
Jared Klein
The PEDIGREE Foundation has opened its 2026 annual grant cycle with a goal of distributing more than $1 million to animal shelters and rescue organizations across the United States — one of the largest private funding pools dedicated specifically to dog welfare programs.
Two Grant Tracks
The foundation offers two distinct awards. DOGS RULE.® Grants provide $100,000 over two years ($50,000 annually) for organizations running high-impact foster, transport, or behavior programs. Program Development Grants offer $10,000 to $15,000 for shelters building or expanding programs in those same three areas.
Foster programs move dogs from shelters into temporary homes. Transport programs relocate animals to regions with higher adoption demand. Behavior programs — socialization, training, and stress reduction — make dogs more adoptable and reduce returns.
Eligibility and Deadlines
Applications are open to 501(c)(3) animal shelters and foster-based rescues operating in the U.S., including government and municipal shelters with a "Friends of" 501(c)(3) designation. Applications close April 13, 2026. An informational webinar was held March 5, with a recording available for organizations that missed it.
A Growing Problem
The foundation's urgency reflects worsening shelter conditions. In 2025, more dogs entered U.S. shelters than left them — reversing years of progress on intake-to-outcome ratios. Since 2008, PEDIGREE Foundation has awarded $15.3 million across 6,400 grants, supporting more than one million dogs.
Animal welfare nonprofits with established or developing programs in foster networks, regional transport, or behavioral rehabilitation should apply before the April 13 deadline. For broader grant discovery across all nonprofit sectors, Granted maintains a searchable database of funding opportunities. More foundation grant coverage is available on the Granted blog.