Animal Shelter Appreciation Week: $5 million available to support improvements to animal shelters

Round 6 of Companion Animal Capital Fund helps animal shelters across state with construction, renovation & expansion projects

During Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $5 million is available to support animal shelters and humane societies in making critical infrastructure upgrades at New York's animal shelters.

Her team said, “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.”

 Hochul said, “New York State’s Companion Animal Capital Fund has made a real difference to shelters across the state and the animals in their care. 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:

•RFP 0311: 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.

•RFP 0312: 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.

Applications are due by 4 p.m. Jan. 29, 2024.

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “Thanks to Gov. Hochul and the Legislature’s continued support of the Companion Animal Capital Fund program, we can continue to help shelters make critical improvements that will ensure better conditions for the animals in their care. It has been great to tour some of the completed projects that this program has funded in recent years, and I look forward to seeing what exciting projects this round of funding will support.”

New York State Sen. Michelle Hinchey said, “The hardworking staff and volunteers at animal shelters and SPCAs throughout New York state provide loving care to animals as they wait to be adopted into their forever families. Thanks to the Companion Animal Capital Fund, we've seen needed upgrades and improvements made to many local facilities, enhancing the well-being of our shelter animals.” 

Executive Director of the New York Animal Protection Federation Libby Post said, “The Companion Animal Capital Fund has been one of the most consequential capital programs for homeless companion animals in the state and, perhaps, the nation. We’ve seen new shelters built, facilities upgraded and standards of care enhanced. The Federation thanks Gov. Hochul for including this funding in her budget, and State Assembly member Deborah Glick and Sen. Joseph Addabbo for championing the fund in their respective houses.”

Hochul’s team noted, “Each year during the first full week of November, The Humane Society of the United States celebrates Animal Shelter Appreciation Week in honor of animal shelters and the dedicated people who work to protect the animals in their care.”