The NAVS Animal Sanctuary Assistance Program (ASAP) was established by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) to provide rapid-response support to animal sanctuaries, shelters, and rescues across the United States. This program was created in recognition of the urgent and often overwhelming challenges that animal caregivers face—especially when dealing with rescues from laboratories, neglect cases, cruelty seizures, and natural disasters.
ASAP focuses on bridging a critical gap for sanctuaries offering lifelong, species-appropriate care to animals with nowhere else to go. The program offers emergency financial support to cover vital needs such as medical procedures, repairs following storms, or handling sudden surges in animal intakes. Through these grants, NAVS enables care providers to act with speed and compassion when animals are most vulnerable.
The program aligns with NAVS’ broader mission to end the use of animals in science. While NAVS works toward long-term reform, ASAP provides immediate aid to animals already affected by exploitative systems. Recipients of the grant include sanctuaries that care for animals retired from labs, shelters managing cruelty or hoarding cases, and rescues needing emergency recovery support following disasters.
To qualify, organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits based and operating in the United States. Funding requests must address emergency or urgent needs, and standard operational expenses such as food, rent, utility bills, or salaries are not eligible for support. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with no fixed deadline. NAVS emphasizes the importance of promptness for crisis situations and encourages organizations facing emergencies to apply without delay. While the specific grant amounts are not publicly disclosed, the program has a strong record of delivering medical care, rebuilding enclosures, and enabling sanctuaries to welcome animals in urgent need.
For questions about eligibility or the application process, organizations can contact Kim Ayala, Senior Manager of Operations, via email at kayala@navs.org or phone at 708-828-8279. The program continues to be a critical resource for sanctuaries working to rehabilitate and rehome animals, and to ensure they receive the long-term care they deserve.
