PEDIGREE Foundation Opens Annual Grants Application To Support Adoptable Dogs Across The Country

The 2020 Grant Cycle will Give up to $750,000 to Help Shelters and Rescues Working to End Pet Homelessness

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Mar 04, 2020, 09:00 ET

FRANKLIN, Tenn., March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- PEDIGREE Foundation opened its 2020 grants cycle today and is now accepting grant applications from animal shelters and rescue organizations across the country. Since it started in 2008, PEDIGREE Foundation has given more than 5,500 grants, totaling more than $8 million, to people and organizations that help further their mission of finding forever homes for adoptable dogs. For its 2020 cycle, PEDIGREE Foundation plans to give up to $750,000 in annual grants, along with other funds awarded through Hallmark Channel's American Rescue Dog Show, as well as disaster relief grants. Applications for its annual grant cycle will be accepted through April 30, 2020.

"The goal of our grant program is to help improve the quality of care dogs receive in shelters and increase adoption rates by supporting new, out-of-the-box innovative adoption programs and existing initiatives," said Deb Fair, Executive Director of PEDIGREE Foundation. "Everything we do is to help dogs find their forever families, and it's inspiring to be able to help these organizations support our common purpose of working to end pet homelessness and having a huge impact on these dogs' lives."

Key Focus Areas for 2020
This year, PEDIGREE Foundation will be prioritizing the following programs, which are greatly increasing adoption rates across the animal welfare community:

Transport programs designed to support efforts to move animals from areas of overpopulation to areas with more demand for pet adoption
Matching programs designed to increase the likelihood that shelter dogs will bond with their adopters, including behavior training or other programs to help find the best fit for dogs and potential adopters
Foster programs that utilize temporary housing in the interest of getting more dogs adopted

To support our focus on transport, matching and foster programs, the Foundation will not fund capital campaign requests this year.

Grants Available in 2020

The Foundation expects to award more than 200 grants in 2020, including:

2 DOGS RULE.™ Grants ($100,000) – These two-year grants ($50,000 per year) will be awarded to two organizations to fund innovative initiatives that not only help their own organizations, but also serve as best-practice models for other shelters and rescues to help increase their dog adoption rates. These grants will be awarded based on an evaluation of the potential impact of all applications received.

The amount has increased from a single grant in 2019 to two grants in 2020.

35 Program Development Grants ($5,000 - $10,000) – These grants will support activities that expand the capability of institutions to improve dog adoption rates, including the expansion of existing programs or new initiatives. These grants will be awarded based on an evaluation of the potential impact of all applications received.

The amount has increased from 30 grants in 2019 to 35 grants in 2020.

175 Operation Grants (up to $1,000) – These grants will be used to fund general operating expenses, including facility and structure renovations or upkeep, veterinary expenses, transportation or any other expenses that help increase the organization's effectiveness at facilitating adoptions. These grants will be awarded to 175 applicants, based on qualifications which will be outlined in the 2020 guidelines.

The number of grants has decreased from 2019 to 2020, in order to increase the number of DOGS RULE. and Program Development grants.

Those interested in applying for a 2020 grant are invited to join the PEDIGREE Foundation webinar on Tuesday, March 17 at 1:00 PM CDT. We encourage interested applicants to review the online grant applications in advance, and we welcome questions during the webinar. All applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax designation status with shelters or rescues operating in the U.S. to submit an application.

To apply for a 2020 grant, learn more about PEDIGREE Foundation or donate to help us find more forever homes for dogs in need, please visit PEDIGREEFoundation.org.

About PEDIGREE Foundation
We believe every dog deserves a loving, forever home. PEDIGREE Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to help end pet homelessness. Nearly 3.5 million dogs end up in shelters and rescues every year, and nearly half never find a home. The foundation was established in 2008 by Mars Petcare, maker of PEDIGREE® food for dogs, to help increase dog adoption rates. We've awarded more than 5,500 grants and $8 million to U.S. shelters and rescues that help dogs in need. At PEDIGREE Foundation, we're working toward a day when all dogs are safe, secure, cared for, fed well and loved. See how you can help: www.PEDIGREEFoundation.org.

About Mars Petcare
Part of Mars, Incorporated, a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love, the 85,000 Associates across 50+ countries in Mars Petcare are dedicated to one purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS™. With 85 years of experience, our portfolio of almost 50 brands serves the health and nutrition needs of the world's pets – including brands PEDIGREE^®, WHISKAS^®, ROYAL CANIN^®, NUTRO™, GREENIES™, SHEBA^®,CESAR^®, IAMS™ and EUKANUBA™ as well as the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute which has advanced research in the nutrition and health of pets for over 50 years. Mars Petcare is also a leading veterinary health provider through an international network of over 2,000 pet hospitals and diagnostic services including BANFIELD™, BLUEPEARL™, VCA™, Linnaeus, AniCura and Antech. We're also active in innovation and technology for pets, with WISDOM PANEL™ genetic health screening and DNA testing for dogs, the WHISTLE™ GPS dog tracker, and LEAP VENTURE STUDIO accelerator and COMPANION FUND™ programs that drive innovation and disruption in the pet care industry. As a family business and guided by our principles, we are privileged with the flexibility to fight for what we believe in – and we choose to fight for: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS.