Pet Lover’s Spay and Neuter Grant Program

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.

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.