PEDIGREE Foundation is directing 79 grants totaling more than $1.24 million to shelter and rescue organizations across the U.S. and Canada. The 2026 annual grants will support behavior, foster and transport initiatives, as well as disaster relief support, helping more than 106,000 dogs find loving homes. Since its founding in 2008, the Foundation has helped more than 1.1 million dogs and awarded more than $16.6 million across 6,500 grants. The funding supports programs designed to help dogs move from shelters into homes.
Shelter Need In 2026
The Shelter Animals Count 2026 Mid-Year Report found that, so far in 2026 in the U.S., outcomes for dogs are not keeping up with intakes. Through mid-year, 38,000 more dogs entered shelters and rescues than left, 64% more than at this time last year. If the current pace continues, 2026 is on track to end with more animals in shelters and rescues than when the year began.
Deb Fair, Executive Director at PEDIGREE Foundation, said:
“Every grant is an opportunity to help shelters and rescues do more of what works, whether that's expanding foster programs, providing behavior support or helping dogs reach communities where they have a better chance of being adopted. Our grants give shelters and rescues more tools to meet dogs' needs, overcome barriers to adoption and ultimately connect more dogs with families. We're proud to continue investing in practical, proven solutions that create more pathways from shelters to loving homes.”
Grant Programs And Recipients
DOGS RULE.® Grants are $100,000 grants provided over two years. At Gateway Pet Guardians in East St. Louis, IL, the second half of this grant for 2025 and 2026 will support the Finder-to-Foster Program. The program empowers residents who find stray dogs to become temporary fosters, keeping dogs out of the shelter to reduce stress and euthanasia risk, and increase the shelter’s capacity to serve more animals.
At Oklahoma Humane Society in Oklahoma City, OK, the first half of this grant for 2026 and 2027 will support the Foster U: Behavior-Informed Foster Training Program. It is a structured, tiered foster training program designed to increase foster caregiver preparedness and improve outcomes for dogs with behavioral needs.
Program Development Grants focus on foster care, behavior support and transport. This year, $484,000 will be awarded for program development funding to 34 shelters and rescues. Collaborative Grants include Year Two of the Foster 50 Challenge Grants. This year, 21 of these grants will be given, totaling $420,000.
Disaster And Canadian Support
This year, seven Disaster Relief Grants totaling $155,000 helped dogs impacted by natural disasters, including wildfires in Colorado and floods in Indiana, Hawaii and Central Texas. In Canada, $100,000 CAD was awarded through 10 program development grants given to 10 shelters across Canada.
Four grants totaling $15,000 CAD covered adoption fees as part of Mars Global Adoption Weekend*. One Disaster Relief Grant of $10,000 CAD was given to Humane Canada to help enable quicker responses to support pets impacted by wildfires across Canada. A complete list of recipients is available on the Foundation’s website.
Fundraising For 2027
PEDIGREE Foundation has begun fundraising for its 2027 annual grants through the SEASON OF GOOD DOG™ campaign. Now through December 31, 2026, the first $15,000 raised will be matched, thanks to a generous donor and iHeartRadio. Donations can be made at PEDIGREEFoundation.org/SEASONOFGOODDOG.
*PEDIGREE Foundation operates independently from Mars, and grants are awarded solely based on charitable objectives.
