OVC FY25 Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence Program

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), is offering the FY25 Emergency and Transitional Pet Shelter and Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence Program under funding opportunity number O-OVC-2025-172432. OVC aims to support projects that provide shelter, transitional housing, and other critical services to victims of domestic violence and their companion animals. Companion animals in this context include pets, service animals, emotional support animals, and horses. The program’s overarching purpose is to fill a gap in available services where most domestic violence shelters do not accommodate animals, thereby preventing victims from seeking safety if they cannot bring their pets. The total amount of funding available under this opportunity is $3,000,000, with individual awards anticipated to reach up to $500,000 over a 36-month project period starting October 1, 2025. Approximately 10 awards are expected. This grant program is designed to assist in purchasing pet-related infrastructure such as kennels, provide pet-related services like veterinary care, support housing relocation, and offer training for law enforcement and service providers about the intersection between domestic violence and animal abuse. Assistance under this program is capped at 24 months per victim but can be extended by 6 months under specific conditions. Eligible applicants include a wide array of entities such as state and local governments, federally recognized tribal governments, victim service providers, and organizations that directly work with animals in partnership with other qualifying entities. Notably, applicants may submit only one proposal as the lead applicant, though they may serve as subrecipients on other applications. There is no cost-sharing or match requirement. Applications must be submitted through a two-step process. The first step is submitting the SF-424 form via Grants.gov by August 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. The second step involves completing the full application in JustGrants by August 20, 2025, at 8:59 PM ET. The application must include a proposal abstract, detailed narrative, budget justification, financial questionnaires, and if applicable, tribal resolutions and indirect cost agreements. All applicants are also required to address any potential duplication in federal cost items and complete certifications relating to lobbying and debarment. Award decisions are expected to be announced by September 30, 2025. Proposals will be evaluated based on responsiveness to program goals, project design, organizational capacity, and ability to collect and report on performance data. Priority consideration may be given to projects that support law enforcement, combat violent crime, aid American children and trafficking victims, or enhance services to crime victims. For assistance, applicants can contact the OJP Response Center via email at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov or phone at 800-851-3420. Technical support is also available through SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and JustGrants help desks, each with specified contact details and hours. A pre-recorded video webinar is available to assist applicants on the OVC Funding Webinars page, and additional resources can be found in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Submit at least 48 hours before deadline; follow NOFO over other guidance when instructions differ.