Grant Funding

The ASPCA has long been one of the nation’s largest animal welfare grantmakers, and this year, we are providing $2 million in Rescue Effect grants to recognize and support the lifesaving work of shelters and rescues around the country. Grants of $10,000 will help 200 animal welfare organizations waive adoption fees and give more animals a chance to find loving homes.

Amplify Shelter Stories and Impact

Our interactive Shelter Finder map highlights organizations in your community and across the country, making it easy to locate and engage with shelters and rescues near your home so you can adopt, foster and support their work. The 200 Rescue Effect grant recipients appear as [description] pins [icon], helping you quickly spot which organizations are hosting waived-fee adoption events.

Throughout the campaign, we amplify the voices of our shelter and rescue partners by elevating their stories, highlighting their impact and bringing national attention to the lifesaving work happening in their communities.

Sharing Resources

When shelters and rescues join The Rescue Effect, the ASPCA shares a robust toolkit of marketing materials and adopter resources to help them showcase their work throughout the campaign and place more animals in homes.

Each organization has its own adoption process and fee structure. Use our Shelter Finder map to locate a shelter or rescue near you, then visit their website learn more about their adoption requirements, fees, hours and upcoming events.

Why do shelters and rescues typically charge adoption fees? Animal welfare organizations provide critical services for thousands of animals each year, and it’s expensive! Adoption fees help them cover basic operating expenses, like electricity and staff, and provide every animal with the essentials — veterinary care, nutritious food and a safe place to land — so they’re ready for a fresh start. Most adoption fees cover only a portion of an animal’s care. For example, spay/neuter surgeries are usually completed before adoption, and that procedure alone often costs more than the pet’s adoption fee, and it’s only one part of the care each pet receives.

Why does the ASPCA support waiving animal adoption fees?
We support reduced or fee-waived adoptions when it is economically feasible for a shelter or rescue to do so. Data shows that fee-waived adoptions do not compromise animal welfare or the long-term success of these adoptions. When shelters and rescues waive adoption fees, more people visit (either online or in person) to learn about the organization and meet the pets waiting for homes — resulting in animals getting adopted faster and freeing space for others who need it. The ASPCA awarded Rescue Effect grants to 200 participating organizations to help them host waived-fee adoption events throughout the campaign.

Which organizations are hosting waived-fee adoption events? Grant recipients appear as [description] pins [icon] on our Shelter Finder; click a pin to see when they’re hosting events. Other organizations may host special events as well, so be sure to explore them, too.

Feedback from foster homes gives shelters a clearer picture of each pet’s true personality and needs, making it easier to match them with adoptive homes. Foster parents often gently expand their foster pet’s world — introducing them to new family, friends and people they meet on everyday outings, and sharing photos and stories that help the pet reach new circles of potential adopters. When you foster a dog, cat or other animal for your local shelter or rescue, you can directly increase that animal’s chance of finding a home.

If you're worried about the cost of fostering, fear not! Most shelters and rescues cover veterinary care and provide the supplies you and your foster pet need, so you can focus on giving them a safe, loving place to land without stretching your budget.

Visit our Shelter Finder map to locate a shelter or rescue near you, then visit their website to learn more about their process for becoming a foster caregiver.

There are many other ways you can support your local shelter or rescue, including volunteering and donating. Donating your time or money can help them keep the doors open and provide animals with food, veterinary care, toys and opportunities to find new homes. For physical items (e.g., towels, cleaning supplies), contact your preferred shelter or rescue directly to learn which donations they need and accept.

Additionally, your voice can save lives! Advocate for your local shelter by urging your members of Congress to cosponsor and pass the Supporting Our Shelters Act. This bill would provide federal funding to help animal shelters care for animals in need. Learn more and take action today.

U.S.-based shelters and rescues are invited to join The Rescue Effect, which launches in August and continues through October. Learn more and complete our online form to sign up today.