Shelter Professionals

Foreclosure Pets Grant

As more and more families across the country lose their homes to foreclosure, a new issue is arising: An influx of companion animals at our nation’s shelters as their families can no longer afford them or they are not welcome in their families’ new accommodations.

More pets mean shelters need more resources to house these animals, provide medical treatment, and find these pets homes.

American Humane offers Foreclosure Pets Grants to help shelters care for these pets.

Grant monies are available based on resources and the generosity of our donors and are awarded to qualifying American Humane member shelters. Grant monies must be used to offset expenses already incurred in providing direct care to animals that have been impacted by a foreclosure situation.

Animal welfare organizations interested in applying for a Foreclosure Pets Grant should email the following information to grants@americanhumane.org with “Foreclosure Pets Grant” in the subject line:

• Organization name and mission statement
• American Humane member number
• Desired use of funds

The maximum grant amount is $2,000 per organization, and availability is highly limited; however, selected organizations will be notified by email and invited to submit a formal application.

American Humane Foreclosure Pets Grants are awarded based on donations to the grant. Learn more about how to donate directly to the Foreclosure Pets Grants program.

To further help homeowners, mortgage lenders and shelters address the needs of companion animals during this difficult time, American Humane offers several downloadable resources (see the box below).

Awarded Foreclosure Pets Grants

Here are some recipients of American Humane’s Foreclosure Pets Grants in 2009 and 2008:

Animal Rescue League of Southern Rhode Island – RI
To care for 8-year-old female dog relinquished by an owner who lost her home

ARFhouse Chicago – IL
To care for 7-year-old female dog found hungry and dehydrated on roof of an abandoned house

Ark Animal Rescue and Adoptions – IN
To care for five cats and one dog until the owner could find another home

Bellowood, Inc. – MI
To provide care and temporary housing for two dogs until their displaced owners find a new home

Bradford County Paws – FL
To care for three dogs and one cat whose owners lost their homes

Coalition for Animal Rescue and Education – MO
To care for 8-month-old female dog abandoned when her owner lost her home to foreclosure

Dodge County Humane Society – WI
To board one dog while his owner looked for another home

Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue – CA
To care for eight dogs surrendered to rescue after owners lost their homes

Labrador Friends of the South – GA
To care for 1-year-old male Lab relinquished by owner who lost his home to foreclosure

Misha May Foundation – CO
To board one female dog relinquished by owners when they lost their home

Noah’s Ark Sanctuary for Abused and Abandoned Animals – FL
To care for multiple cats when owners left them because of foreclosure

Parrots First – CA
To board four parrots relinquished by owners because of foreclosure

Pet Orphans of Southern California – CA
To board two cats and two dogs until their owners found new homes

Pet Rescue and Adoption Center – FL
To care for 2-year-old female dog found tied outside an abandoned house

Riverside Humane Society Pet Adoption Center – CA
To care for three dogs and one cat brought to the shelter after owners lost their homes

Sante d’Or Foundation – CA
To care for one male dog whose owner was evicted and two sibling cats whose owners were forced to move and could no longer care for them

Saving Horses Inc. – CA
To provide hay for three horses while their owner looked for a new home

Tipton Treasures PAWS New England – TN
To board six dogs abandoned by owners because of foreclosures

WhipStaff Ranch and Rescue – MN
To board one female horse until her displaced owner can purchase a small farm, and provide care for a female Chihuahua whose owner lost his home and had to give up the little dog