ASPCA Awards $7.6 Million in Grants to Animal Welfare Organizations in First Six Months of 2012

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today announced that it has granted more than $7.6 million dollars to animal welfare organizations across the country in just the first half of 2012. A total of 828 grants were issued to 619 organizations in 49 states nationwide in the first six months of 2012, a 127 percent increase in the number of grants over the same period in 2011.

“The ASPCA is pleased to assist the life-saving efforts of local animal welfare organizations across the country,” said Michael Barrett, vice president of grants management at the ASPCA. “We are continuously inspired by the dedication and perseverance of our grantees on behalf of animals in need, and are honored to be a part of their work.”

Highlights of the $7.6 million dollars granted include:

• 437 grants totaling $3.5 million to support shelter outreach programs such as intake reduction efforts, fundraising and development projects, increased capacity and live release rate initiatives, and avian programs;
• More than $2.1 million to support approximately 200 spay/neuter programs;
• $490,000 toward anti-cruelty rescues, raids and investigations;
• $811,000 to support other anti-cruelty efforts including grassroots initiatives, humane farming, training and education for humane law enforcement, and disaster and emergency response; and
• $268,000 to equine groups for emergency hay and feed, veterinary care, and capacity building; and an additional $96,000 for equine cruelty response and seizures.

To learn more about the ASPCA’s Grants Program, interested animal welfare professionals can visit www.aspcapro.org/Grants.