#United States #Franklin #PEDIGREE Foundation #dog adoption #Shelter Dogs

PEDIGREE Foundation Marks One Million Dogs Helped

In an inspiring celebration of National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, the PEDIGREE Foundation has reached a significant milestone by helping over one million dogs since its inception in 2008. The foundation proudly announced the allocation of $1.2 million in grants for 2025 to assist shelters and rescues across the United States and Canada, impacting nearly 119,000 dogs this year alone.

The dedication of the PEDIGREE Foundation goes beyond financial assistance; it actively shapes successful dog adoption initiatives, providing critical support to animal organizations that endeavor to find loving homes for dogs in need. With over $15.3 million awarded since its establishment, the foundation has proven itself a pillar within the animal welfare community.

Supporting Foster Programs and New Initiatives

As part of this year's grant cycle, the PEDIGREE Foundation collaborated with Maddie’s Fund to introduce the Foster 50 Challenge Grants, distributing $100,000 to enhance foster care programs nationwide. This initiative empowers shelters by recruiting volunteers and improving the care of dogs, exemplified by the Lake Oconee Humane Society near Atlanta, which has seen success in helping dogs like Bear gain confidence on the path to finding forever homes.

The Foster 50 program aims to address the pressing challenge of increasing dog adoptions through community-driven efforts. Excitingly, the program has already yielded results, resulting in nearly 9,000 new fosters and an 11% increase in active fostering engagements, thus providing individualized attention to almost 16,000 dogs.

Inaugural Foster 50 Trailblazer Awards

Highlighting innovative strategies in fostering, Bitter Root Humane Society in Hamilton, MT, and Santa Barbara County Animal Service in Santa Barbara, CA, received $25,000 grants as the inaugural winners of the Foster 50 Trailblazer Award. This recognition underscores the importance of fostering as a pivotal solution for combatting pet homelessness, as derived from recent studies indicating that a single overnight foster placement increases the likelihood of adoption by a staggering 14 times.

With challenges mounting in animal rescues, data reveals that 1.4 million dogs entered shelters in the first half of 2025 while adoptions lagged significantly. Many dogs are spending an average of 47 days in shelters, particularly large breeds, indicating an urgent need for enhanced foster care initiatives and proven adoption practices.

Expanding Foster Programs and Grant Categories

In their effort to address this growing concern, the PEDIGREE Foundation is not only awarding traditional grants but is also focusing on expanding foster, behavior, and disaster relief programs. Among the various grants slated for 2025:

• - DOGS RULE.™ Grants will contribute $100,000 over two years to foster innovative initiatives across shelters.
• - Program Development Grants will allocate over $480,000 to support 34 organizations enhancing their adoption capacities.
• - Collaborative Grants will be awarded to support partnerships aimed at amplifying dog adoptions.
• - Disaster Relief Grants, totaling $227,000, have been crucial for assisting dogs in communities affected by natural disasters.

This year, Canadian organizations will also see $110,000 (CAD) designated toward fostering programs, transport efforts, and support during emergencies, highlighting the cross-border reach of the PEDIGREE Foundation's mission.

Looking Ahead

With a robust commitment to combat pet homelessness, the PEDIGREE Foundation remains steadfast in its beliefs that every dog deserves a loving, forever home. The recent milestone reflects not just a number but a community of dedicated individuals working tirelessly to foster hope and care for dogs in need. To join the movement or to learn more about the PEDIGREE Foundation and its significant impact, visit PEDIGREE Foundation and follow them on social media.