2026 ASPCA New York Shelter Standards Implementation Grants

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) is accepting applications from animal welfare organizations in New York State to elevate animal health and welfare and aid in complying with regulatory requirements that went into effect December 15, 2025. “Animal Shelter(s)”, as defined by New York State law Article 26-C, Section 420, Subdivision 6, that are required to become licensed under Article 26-C, Section 421 are eligible to apply for funding to support changes to facilities and operations that may be necessary to comply with these standards. 

Grant funds can be used to address one or more requirements of Article 26-C. 

Grant Amount

Grants will range from $20,000-$75,000, with a maximum individual grant amount of $75,000. The total funding available for all grants made under this RFP is up to $600,000.

Eligibility

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans. We invite all voices to join us in working together to improve the lives of animals in need.

Applicants must be already licensed or in the process of obtaining licensure as an “Animal Shelter”, as defined by Article 26-C, Section 420, Subdivision 6, and required to become licensed under Article 26-C, Section 421

Applicants that received a 2025 ASPCA New York Shelter Standards Implementation Grant are invited to apply again in 2026 if additional support is needed; however, priority may be given to organizations who did not receive a 2025 ASPCA New York Shelter Standards Implementation Grant. 

Applicants must meet ASPCA Grantee Organizational Standards:

• If a past ASPCA grant recipient, applicants must be current on all reporting requirements for such grant
• If a nonprofit organization, applicants must:
  • Be an incorporated or organized legal entity in good standing with the Secretary of State in New York, or the state where the organization is incorporated or organized for organizations operating in New York but incorporated elsewhere 
  • Have a board of at least 4 members with a majority of independent members, with neither board chair nor treasurer receiving compensation from the organization
  • Have a current/active charitable registration in New York (for grants ≥ $25,000)

Funding Restrictions and Parameters

All applicants will be required to include a copy of their submitted New York State Shelter Rescue License Application, or their active New York State Shelter Rescue License. 

Grant funds can be used for costs related, but not limited, to the following: 

• Purchasing new enclosures, or retrofitting existing enclosures with portals or transfer doors
• Training for staff to become Certified Euthanasia Technicians 
• Purchasing autoclaves, surgical instruments, and other equipment to meet veterinary spay/neuter requirements (guidelines to meet Association of Shelter Veterinarians' 2016 Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs can be found here)
• Costs associated with hardware or software for cloud-based shelter and medical recordkeeping systems and related tech support
• Purchasing appropriate disinfection and sanitation products, systems, or equipment
• Hiring or contracting with a veterinarian to provide oversight and approval of protocols related to animal care and veterinary services provided to animals in the organization’s care
• Hiring or contracting with an animal behavior professional to develop programming and protocols for behavioral care and enrichment

Grant funds may not be used for:

• Single-sided cat or dog kennels. Kennels requested for this grant opportunity must be double-sided (i.e., provide double-compartment housing with a minimum of 8 square feet of floor space).

A consultative visit to your facility or a virtual meeting with an ASPCA Shelter Medicine Services veterinarian may be recommended.

Strong Proposals Should

• Align funding need with one or more requirements contained with Article 26-C 
• Clearly identify the relevant requirement(s) your request is  addressing using the section and requirement numbers contained in the Checklist document
• Clearly and succinctly outline the proposed upgrade, program, or project
• Quantify the expected impact
• Describe any expected barriers and how you plan to overcome them
• Declare how much this project will cost in total, how much is requested and how the funds will be used, using this template to fully outline budget.
• Share how the work might continue beyond the grant term, including how you will financially sustain any practices that result in ongoing expenses beyond the requested funding amount

The examples contained in this Request for Proposal are hypothetical and are not intended to be relied upon as legal advice, medical advice, or a substitute for independent counsel, medical decision-making, or guidelines for how to be compliant with the NYS Companion Animal Care Standards Act or any other laws or regulations.

Fund Use Examples from Past Grantees

• Dog Holding Kennel Improvements (e.g., new sinks, High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) material to help with sound attenuation, drop ceilings, sound buffers, air conditioning systems)
• Convert single-sided enclosures to double-compartment housing via installation of Cat and Puppy Portals
• Purchase and installation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems 

Sanitation Room & Medical Exam Room Upgrades (e.g., renovations that convert a bathroom into a sanitation room, purchase one year's worth of Rescue disinfectant; upgrade existing medical exam room with lockable storage and base cabinets, solid-surface countertops, foldable exam table)

Grant Review Timeline

• RFP will open on Monday, June 29, at 9 a.m. ET. 
• RFP will close on Friday, July 31, at 5 p.m. ET.
• Finalists will be notified on or around August 31 and invited to complete a supplemental application in our grant management system.

How to Apply

Please submit an application here.

We recommend you prepare in advance the information listed in the Companion Guide to allow you to complete the form in one session as the form does not have the ability to save your work

Please be sure all requested information is included in your responses. Applications cannot be revised after submission.  
 

Questions

• For program-related inquiries, please contact sheltermedicine@aspca.org.
• For application submission inquiries/technical difficulties, please contact grants@aspca.org.