Up to £100,000 for UK Animal Rescue and Rehoming Charities – Pets Foundation

The Pets Foundation Rescue and Rehoming Grants Programme provides funding to UK charities whose main activity is rescuing, caring for and rehoming domestic pets.

The Foundation supports organisations working to improve animal welfare, helping them cover essential running costs, purchase equipment, improve facilities and provide veterinary care.

One-off grants of up to £100,000 are generally considered, although this is guidance rather than a guaranteed maximum award.

Applications are accepted throughout the year, with no fixed deadline.

Here's what you can expect:

• One-off grants, with awards above £100,000 considered unlikely

• Funding for essential animal rescue and rehoming activities

• Support with veterinary bills and animal care

• Funding for food, bedding and boarding costs

• Equipment purchases

• Vehicles used for animal welfare

• Building improvements and animal accommodation

• Applications accepted on a rolling basis

• Monthly reviews for requests under £50,000

What can be funded?

1. Veterinary Care

Funding towards veterinary treatment for rescued animals, helping organisations maintain their health and welfare before rehoming.

2. Essential Running Costs

Support for eligible operational expenses, including:

• Utility bills

• Animal food

• Bedding

• Boarding fees

• Other eligible animal care costs

3. Equipment

Funding for equipment used in rescue and rehoming activities, such as:

• Animal trapping cages

• Microchip scanners

• Washing machines

• Incubators

• Other essential animal care equipment

4. Vehicles

Support towards purchasing suitable vehicles, including animal ambulances and horse boxes.

5. Building Improvements

Funding for projects improving animal accommodation and welfare facilities, including suitable building works and onsite veterinary facilities.

All funding requests must demonstrate a direct benefit to animal welfare.

Who can apply?

The programme is intended for eligible UK animal rescue and rehoming organisations.

Applicants should:

• Be an appropriately registered UK charity or other eligible charitable organisation under the current grant criteria.

• Have rescuing and rehoming domestic pets as their main activity.

• Primarily rescue animals originating from within the UK.

• Follow appropriate vaccination, microchipping and neutering practices before rehoming.

• Demonstrate how the proposed funding will directly improve animal welfare.

• Meet the Foundation's organisational and financial requirements.

The Foundation prioritises small and medium-sized charitable organisations.

Organisations primarily operating as animal sanctuaries or rehoming pets from overseas should check the exclusions carefully.

How much funding is available?

Funding Amount: One-off grants, generally up to £100,000

Requests Under £50,000: Reviewed monthly

Requests Over £50,000: Applicants should contact the Foundation before applying

Funding Type: Charitable grant

Geographic Eligibility: United Kingdom

Application Deadline: Rolling

The Foundation advises that awards above £100,000 are unlikely, although exceptional projects may be considered.

What information is required?

Applicants must provide:

• Recent organisational accounts

• Updated draft financial figures if the latest accounts are more than 12 months old

• Evidence supporting the requested costs

• Relevant quotations, invoices or supplier information

• Details of the proposed project or activity

Examples of supporting evidence include veterinary bills, utility bills, vehicle listings and equipment quotations.

How does the application process work?

Step 1 – Review Eligibility

Read the Foundation's 2026 Rescue and Rehoming Grant Criteria and Grant Programme FAQs.

Step 2 – Request an Application Form

Eligible organisations should complete the application form request on the official programme webpage.

Step 3 – Prepare Supporting Information

Gather recent accounts, project details and evidence of the proposed costs.

Step 4 – Submit the Application

Complete the application form provided by the Foundation.

Step 5 – Application Review

The Foundation assesses applications and may request additional information or arrange a virtual or in-person meeting.

Step 6 – Funding Decision

Applications under £50,000 are reviewed monthly.

The Foundation advises that decisions can take approximately four to five months, depending on application volumes and any additional information required.

Funding information

Funder: Pets Foundation

Funding Amount: Generally up to £100,000

Funding Type: One-off charitable grant

Geographic Eligibility: United Kingdom

Target Audience: Animal rescue and rehoming charities

Eligible Activities: Animal care, running costs, equipment, vehicles and facilities

Application Deadline: No fixed deadline

Application Status: OPEN – Rolling Applications