Emergency and Disaster Response Grants

The ASPCA provides emergency funding to qualified animal welfare organizations whose communities suffer the impact of natural and other disasters.

A disaster is defined as a threatening or occurring incident of such destructive magnitude and forces as to dislocate people and animals, separate family members, damage or destroy homes, and injure or kill people and animals. A disaster produces immediate suffering, and basic animal needs cannot be promptly or adequately addressed by the affected people. Natural disasters include floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, hail storms, wildfires, windstorms, epidemics, and earthquakes. Human caused disaster – whether intentional or unintentional – include animal abuse and seizure cases, oil spills, residential fires, building collapse, transportation accidents, hazardous materials release, explosions, and domestic acts of terrorism.

Application Guidelines for ASPCA Disaster Response Grants

Applicants to the ASPCA Disaster Fund must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• Non-profit organization or government agency, such as municipal or county animal control, with an animal welfare mission and a federal tax ID (EIN/Employer Identification Number)
• Directly affected by or providing/participating in direct response to disasters
• In need of immediate assistance

Eligible requests from the ASPCA Disaster Fund include cash assistance for the following purposes:

• Food and food banks for at-risk animals
• Shelter supplies and equipment
• Rescue supplies and equipment
• Sheltering or temporary boarding and fostering of rescued or at-risk animals
• Transport/transfers/relocation of animals
• Veterinary expenses/medical care for animals
• Overtime expenses for shelter staff
• Travel and related incidental expenses for shelter staff or staff deployed to affected disaster areas to assist with disaster response for animals
• Infrastructure repairs/rebuilding
• Disaster planning and preparation

How to Apply

Eligible non-profit organizations which are both directly affected by disasters and in need of immediate assistance may apply via the ASPCA's Application for Disaster and Emergency Response and Preparation.

Organizations which are not directly and currently affected by a disaster, including those organizations responding to disasters in areas outside their immediate geographical area, may submit a Letter of Inquiry for Disaster and Emergency Response and Preparation.

In order to expedite your request, please make every effort to follow the online application procedure. If circumstances of the disaster prevent or substantially inhibit your ability to apply online, email grants@aspca.org or call (212) 876-7700 x4394 or x4393 for assistance. Organizations which abuse or misuse these modes of direct communication impede our ability to respond to animals in need and put themselves at risk of ineligibility to receive ASPCA funding.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.