2026 Pet Lover's Spay and Neuter Grant Program

The Pet Lover’s Spay and Neuter Grant Program, administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), is a state-funded initiative designed to mitigate pet overpopulation across California. Through this competitive grant opportunity, CDFA seeks to provide financial support to eligible veterinary facilities and nonprofit organizations for the provision of low-cost or no-cost spay and neuter services. The initiative aligns with the state’s commitment to animal welfare and public health and is financed by two sources: fees from the Pet Lover’s specialty license plate issued by the California DMV and voluntary tax contributions under the Prevention of Animal Homelessness and Cruelty Fund. The grant program aims to support municipalities and nonprofit entities in delivering sterilization services to a broad demographic of pet owners, including underserved communities. Eligible applicants include California-registered and compliant veterinary facilities either publicly operated or nonprofit, as well as nonprofit organizations contracted by local governments for animal control services. Each applying facility must demonstrate active good standing with both the Veterinary Medical Board and the California Secretary of State, as applicable. Strict eligibility verification and documentation are enforced to ensure compliance. Funding will be available in five key project categories: in-house spay/neuter services for publicly owned animals, mobile spay/neuter clinics, voucher programs for both shelter and owned animals, and feral cat trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs. Grants range from $25,000 to $50,000, with a total anticipated funding pool of up to $500,000. The grant term spans one year, with funds restricted to expenditures between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027. Administrative expenses, hospitality, fundraising, and services unrelated to sterilization (e.g., vaccinations, microchipping) are not reimbursable. The application process requires submission of a completed application form and all supporting documentation by January 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PT. Applications must be submitted via email to the Office of Grants Administration at grants@cdfa.ca.gov. The proposal includes narrative components such as project description, goals, community impact, promotion plans, evaluation metrics, and a detailed budget justification. A technical review committee evaluates submissions based on project relevance, public awareness efforts, feasibility, performance evaluation, and budget alignment, with a total possible score of 50 points. Successful applicants will be notified in Spring 2026. All recipients must comply with CDFA’s grant administration regulations and reporting requirements, including submission of a final performance report detailing outcomes and financial accountability. Vouchers issued through the program must acknowledge funding from the Pet Lover’s Grant. Recipients are also expected to promote the Pet Lover’s license plate to sustain future funding. The grant is offered annually; the next expected application cycle is anticipated to open in December 2026.

Ensure all documentation is complete and matches eligibility claims; proposals with unsupported claims or exceeding cost caps will be disqualified.