Pet Lover’s Spay and Neuter Grant Program
This funding opportunity provides financial support to California municipalities and nonprofit organizations for spay and neuter services to help reduce pet overpopulation.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is offering the Pet Lover’s Spay and Neuter Grant Program, a competitive grant opportunity designed to support municipalities and nonprofit organizations in California providing spay and neuter services to help reduce pet overpopulation. The funding comes from revenues generated by the Pet Lover’s License Plate Program and the Prevention of Animal Homelessness and Cruelty Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund, both supported by California taxpayers. Under this program, CDFA plans to award a total of up to $500,000 in grants. Individual projects may receive between $25,000 and $50,000, though CDFA reserves the right to adjust the awarded amount regardless of the amount requested. Applicant organizations are limited to submitting one proposal per funding cycle. Matching funds are not required. Grants may be awarded as advances or reimbursements, depending on project needs and CDFA’s discretion. Eligible applicants must be licensed veterinary facilities, with both the facility and the facility manager registered and in good standing with the California Veterinary Medical Board. Eligible operators include municipal (city or county) animal control agencies that provide spay/neuter services to the public, or nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations that either hold a municipal animal control contract or provide low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter services. Nonprofits must also be registered and in good standing with the California Secretary of State. For municipal or county agencies and nonprofit shelters holding a municipal contract, compliance with annual rabies-reporting requirements to the California Department of Public Health’s Veterinary Public Health Section is mandatory. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (presumably Pacific Time) on January 5, 2026. Award announcements are expected in Spring 2026. For successful applicants, the period of performance runs from June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027. Applicants should refer to the full grant guidelines before applying. Contact for questions is available via CDFA’s Office of Grants Administration.
Award Range
$25,000 - $50,000
Total Program Funding
$500,000
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
No
Additional Details
Grants of $25,000–$50,000; total up to $500,000; no match required; CDFA may adjust awarded amount; funded by Pet Lover’s License Plate Program and Prevention of Animal Homelessness and Cruelty Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund; awards may be advance or reimbursement.
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Veterinary facilities operated by a licensed manager registered with the CA Veterinary Medical Board. Eligible operators: CA city or county animal control agencies providing spay/neuter services to the public, or CA nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with a municipal animal control contract or offering low-/no-cost spay/neuter services. Agencies must be current on yearly rabies reporting to CA Department of Public Health Veterinary Public Health Section.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Ensure license/facility registration are current; for nonprofits include proof of 501(c)(3) status and municipal contract if applicable; demonstrate capacity to provide spay/neuter services and compliance with rabies‑reporting.
Application Opens
Not specified
Application Closes
January 5, 2026
Grantor
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
Phone
1-916-657-3231Subscribe to view contact details
