Cat Shelter Grants

General support, capacity building, emergency funding, and capital assets for animal welfare.

501(c)(3), fiscal sponsor, or gov entity located in CO. Cannot primarily import animals. Must have PACFA license & report to Shelter Animals Count.

Annual: Sept 1 - Sept 30
Capital: >$100k requests with 3-yr AAF history
Responsive: Ongoing for emergencies

Focuses on overlooked animals. For cats: Strictly funds sterilization and TNR programs in the US and Canada.

501(c)(3) charity. Sanctuaries must be GFAS verified. No capital campaigns or orgs with large cash reserves. 18-month wait between grants.

Portal opens July 1, 2026, 10:00 AM CT. Closes when 150 submissions are reached.

Specifically designated for community cat spay/neuter efforts (TNR). Facilitated via United Spay Alliance.

501(c)(3) or municipal entity with active/planned TNR. Must participate in cohort and complete an 8-week University of the Pacific certification.

Applications are accepted from July 1 – 15.

Tax Checkoff: Subsidizes spay/neuter for underserved owned pets.
License Plate: Shelter spay/neuter, vet care, and microchipping.

Gov entity, humane org, or CO-licensed vet serving CO animals. Max $1200 per shelter animal. No equipment funds.

Tax Checkoff: May 15 - July 15, 2026
License Plate: Dec 15 - Feb 15, 2026

General support, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, foster care, and adoption initiatives.

501(c)(3) or public entity for >1 year. Must alter/chip/vaccinate prior to adoption. Must follow 24hr pain management and not declaw cats.

Network acceptance takes 2-3 months, then eligible to apply for specific grants.

Direct financial assistance to offset medical costs for animals who are victims of abuse, cruelty, or neglect (surgery, diagnostics, rehab).

501(c)(3) shelters/rescues. Trupanion-funded version requires enrollment in Trupanion's Adoption/Exam Day programs.

Ongoing / Rolling applications.

Shelter expansion or improvements (animal enrichment, vet/spay/neuter equipment, kennel renovation) to improve care quality.

Must own the property or hold a lease with ≥5 years remaining. Max $4,000/yr. Cannot be used for operations or vehicles.

Next round begins October 1.

Funds medications, drugs, vaccines, and medical supplies for vulnerable/low-income pet owners. Cannot be used for spay/neuter, overhead, or emergency care.

Nonprofits delivering care via on-site, mobile, or pop-up clinics. Must have vet professionals on staff, contract, or volunteer.

Accepted throughout January, April, July, and October (deadline on the last day of the month).

Funding for medical equipment, research, medical treatment where hardship is present, medication, pet food, and spay/neuter programs.

Must provide last audited financials, balance sheet/income statement (<60 days old), and cost estimates. Must be submitted as a complete package.

Approved requests are valid for 30 days only; incomplete held for 15 days.

Projects focused on spay/neuter, return-to-home, and community cat programming. Facilitated by Best Friends Animal Society.

Active BF Network partner, report to Shelter Animals Count, and represent a shelter with <90% save rate (or rescue impacting one).

Letters of Interest (LOI) collected on the first days of their grant cycle.

Small grants (~$2,500) to hire a capacity-building coach or support grassroots community organizing campaigns/projects.

501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored. Must be located in/serving the 7-county Metro Denver region. Must be led by ≥3 unrelated people.

Opens Jan 20, 2026 – Closes Oct 19, 2026. Decisions made monthly.