South Central Region Grant Priorities

Competitive proposals must demonstrate, with comprehensive statistics, a direct impact on a reduction in the number of cats and dogs killed in shelters. Proposals without shelter data will not be considered. Priority consideration will be given to projects that will improve lifesaving within a shelter/community to achieve a 90% save rate (which is currently below 90%), focused on helping in those areas with the largest lifesaving gaps, and programs elevating Community-Supported Sheltering models. If you are supporting a local shelter in your proposal, application collaboration (including partnership letters of support) is strongly encouraged. Please refer to the pet lifesaving dashboard to see where the greatest lifesaving opportunities are in your area. Past successful proposals have an average $80-100 cost per animal impacted (oftentimes, as a partial grant for the work) and have been able to showcase clearly through data how the project will directly decrease the number of dogs or cats killed in the selected shelter(s). 

The priorities for the Rachael Ray Save Them All grants are:  

• Robust cat programming, which could include:
  • Return-to-field (RTF)/shelter-neuter-return (SNR) cat programs: providing healthy impounded stray cats spay/neuter, vaccinations, ear tipping and returning to the outdoor location they were found)
  • Trap-neuter-vaccinate-return (TNVR) in lieu of impounding healthy outdoor cats into shelters.
  • Lifesaving neonatal (under eight weeks) kitten programming, such as finder foster kits, “leave kittens where they are” programming, etc.  
• Medical programs for at-risk shelter animals, such as ringworm, parvo/panleuk, or other conditions previously unable to be saved
• Robust return-to-home programs that reunite missing animals with their families. This could include creative solutions such as finder foster programs, creating technology solutions to improve the lost/found process to improve reunification, improve processes to return animals in the field (in lieu of impounding at the shelter as the start of the pet’s reunification process), etc.  
• Programs targeted toward significantly increasing live outcomes for at-risk large dogs. This could include creative fostering programming, surrender prevention/return to home, behavior programming, or transfer/transport programs with organizations willing to increase their medical or behavior large dogs.  
• Programs to improve medical disease prevention protocols, increase spay/neuter surgeries for shelter pets, and support increased sanitation and reduced contagious disease.
• Increase lifesaving within the shelter by expanding capacity to support historically vulnerable populations and/or communities to ultimately achieve increased live outcomes. Programs could include intake intervention programs, improved access to information and/or targeted services in non-English languages.
• Pathway planning to reduce length of stay and improve quality of life for large adult dogs including enrichment, playgroups, and creative marketing starting at intake.
• Collaborative project work between multiple organizations to strategically save more lives in a key shelter or community.

Projects will be prioritized that demonstrate the largest impact or completely close a shelter’s lifesaving gap and help the shelter achieve no kill.

You can get started by reviewing the Pet Lifesaving Dashboard to see where lifesaving gaps exist in your community. You can also use our Gap Analysis Tool to determine which population is most vulnerable or most in need in your community. 

Previously funded projects include:

• Two no-kill animal welfare non-profits partnered to expand the foster and transport programs for a local open intake shelter. The funds supported vetting, facilitating transports, and spreading the word in the community about fostering.
• A a private non-profit launched a transport program to assist their municipal partner in closing their dog gap. The funding provided through the Rachel Ray Save Them All grant assists in providing transport and medical costs for 400 dogs.
• A low-cost veterinary clinic recognized that their local municipal shelter needed help providing support for pets to stay in their homes. This group created a home-to-home program to assist with diverting intake away from the government shelter and supporting community members with adopting out pets who needed new homes. The funds helped launch their adoption page and provide vetting for a new group of animals.    

Want to chat with the South Central regional team about your proposal?

First, complete the grant consult form then click here to schedule your consult. 

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