$5 million is now available to support animal shelters and humane societies in making critical infrastructure upgrades at New York’s animal shelters. This is the sixth round of funding dedicated to New York State’s Companion Animal Capital Fund, the first state-funded program in the nation to provide for shelter improvement projects. Funded projects will enhance animal care at shelters and ultimately help to ensure increased adoptions for New York’s dogs and cats.
“New York State’s Companion Animal Capital Fund has made a real difference to shelters across the state and the animals in their care,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m proud that the funding announced today will continue to build on the great work of this program, helping New York’s animals stay happy and healthy as they await their forever homes.”
Since the launch of the Companion Animal Capital Fund program in 2017, the state has dedicated over $33 million to the program, including funds committed in this year’s budget. In total, 84 projects have been awarded across New York so far.
Administered by the Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM), the program provides matching grants to shelters and humane societies to offset the costs associated with capital projects, such as renovating dog kennels, improving medical facilities, or building more efficient shelters to reduce overall operational costs. Funds are also used to construct, renovate, rehabilitate, or acquire buildings or equipment needed to house, treat, and care for sheltered dogs and cats. AGM selects grant recipients based on a need assessment, detailed project description, and reasonableness of cost.
Two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) have been released through Round 6 of this program:
Over $3.5 million is available for municipal and incorporated not-for-profit pounds, shelters, humane societies, and rescue facilities. Eligible entities must be a pound or shelter for dogs established and maintained as outlined in section 114 of New York Agriculture and Markets Law.
Over $1.1 million is available for duly incorporated pounds, shelters, humane societies, or rescue facilities that are not operated by or under contract with a municipality but that are registered with AGM, according to section 408 of New York Agriculture and Markets Law. Entities must demonstrate that they provide similar pound or shelter services in underserved municipalities or regions where there is insufficient shelter capacity for dogs and/or cats.
