ASPCA Announces $1 Million in Funding Available to Organizations Providing Direct Support to Animals in Natural Disasters

NEW YORK–The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is awarding $1 million in grant funding to authorized disaster response agencies providing support to companion animals, equines, and their owners in communities impacted by or at high-risk for natural disasters. The funding is available to agencies responding to current disasters as well as for capacity building for future disasters, including covering costs related to animal rescue, sheltering, food, and veterinary care.

“This grant funding will vitally support local efforts to rescue, care for, and protect animals endangered by a wide range of devastating natural disasters,” said Matt Bershadker, President & CEO of the ASPCA. “With hurricanes and wildfires creating unprecedented challenges for agencies and shelters across the country against the backdrop of COVID-19-related restrictions, we’re proud to help them sustain and advance their lifesaving work.”

Grants will generally range in size from $25,000 to $75,000 and can be applied to cover the cost of training, emergency shelter and veterinary equipment and supplies, field rescue gear and supplies, and animal transport equipment including vehicles for local evacuation. This grant opportunity is available to organizations responding in an official capacity to a federally-declared natural disaster occurring on or after April 1, 2020 or operating in a jurisdiction at high-risk of future natural disasters. Priority will be given to organizations located in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.

Applications are now available and will be accepted on a rolling basis through December 1, 2020, or until all available funding is allotted. For more information about the application process and eligibility requirements please visit www.aspcapro.org.

In addition to providing lifesaving funding, the ASPCA deploys nationwide to assist in relocation, search-and-rescue, sheltering, and reunification efforts during disaster situations including wildfires, tornadoes, and floods. They also work closely with regional agencies across the country to help enhance their animal response capabilities through training and resources. In September, the ASPCA established an emergency shelter on the ground in Lake Charles, La., to assist with the care of animals displaced by Hurricane Laura. At the request of Calcasieu Parish Animal Services, the ASPCA provided daily care, including medical and behavioral services, for displaced cats and dogs who had been separated from their families. The ASPCA also assisted in transporting more than 100 homeless animals out of impacted communities in collaboration with both the Louisiana SPCA and Wings of Rescue.

For more information on the ASPCA’s disaster response efforts, please visit www.aspca.org.