2025 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 will come into effect December 15, 2025. “Animal Shelter(s)”, as defined by Article 26-C, Section 420, Subdivision 6, 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 request for proposal (RFP) is up to $1,200,000. 

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

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

New York State Animal Welfare Organizations subject to Agriculture & Markets Article 26-C; organizations will be required to include a copy of their draft or completed application for licensure form. 

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

• Retrofitting housing 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
• Costs associated with hardware or software for cloud-based shelter and medical recordkeeping systems
• 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

Strong Proposals Should

• Align funding need with one or more requirements contained with Article 26-C
• Clearly identify the relevant requirement(s) you are aiming to address 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 language and examples contained in this RFP 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.

Grant Review Timeline

• RFP will open on Friday, October 10, at 9 a.m. ET.
• RFP will close on Monday, November 10, at 5 p.m. ET.
• Finalists will be notified on or around December 1st and invited to complete a supplemental application in our grant management system.

How to Apply

Please submit an application here.

We recommend that you prepare the information listed in the Companion Guide in advance and complete the form in one session. 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.