New Grant Program from Best Friends Supports Targeted TNR

Grassroots groups eligible for funding from Lifesaving Grants

January 27, 2012

Best Friends, in partnership with PetSmart Charities, has announced its 2012 Lifesaving Grants Program. These grants are designed to assist No More Homeless Pets Network partners with projects that save lives through spay/neuter and adoption, including s/n for ferals. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $10,000 each.

There will be four grant cycles within the next calendar year. The application deadline for the first grant cycle is February 27, 2012 by 12:00 am MST. Grants will be awarded by the end of March.

Each grant cycle will offer the following opportunities:

1) Spay/neuter projects for free-roaming cats involving Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) efforts 
This grant will provide funding for a comprehensive TNR project for free-roaming cats in a targeted area to manage and reduce colony population. The targeted area is defined geographically, not by demographic category. Examples of target areas include: town, city, county, census tract, zip code, neighborhood, city park, mobile home park, landfill, etc.

2) Targeted spay/neuter projects for "owned" dogs and/or cats
Funding will be provided for a comprehensive targeted spay/neuter project for owned dogs and/or cats. A comprehensive targeted spay/neuter program identifies a segment of the community - geographic, demographic or animal specific - that has a critical need for low-cost spay/neuter services.

3) Community adoption events
This grant will provide funding for high-volume adoption events that are beyond the scope of an organization's normal adoption activities. Collaboration with other organizations is encouraged, but funding will be provided only to the applying organization that is overseeing the project.

4) Adoption initiatives that increase adoption live exits from shelters
This grant will provide funding for projects, other than adoption events, that increase adoption live exits from shelters. Examples include, but are not limited to: transport or training programs, neo-natal programs, foster programs, etc.

Requirements for applying:

• Must be a No More Homeless Pets Network Partner prior to applying. 
• Must have an operating budget of less than $500,000. Organizations with an operating budget of more than $500,000 are encouraged to apply for a grant from PetSmart Charities.
• Grant funds must be spent within one year of award.
• Programs must be within the United States (all 50 states).
• Organizations must agree to provide a detailed account (including receipts as requested) of how funds were spent and provide metrics to show impact of program.
• Organization applying will allow Best Friends to inquire about their organization in order to make a decision on grant awards.