Funding will advance adoption-driving initiatives across shelters and rescues in the U.S. and Canada

FRANKLIN, Tenn., Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, PEDIGREE Foundation is announcing the recipients of its 2026 annual grants across the U.S. and Canada. This year, 79 grants totaling more than $1.24 million will go to shelter and rescue organizations working to find loving homes for dogs in need – helping more than 106,000 dogs. The annual grants fund behavior, foster and transport initiatives that are proven to increase adoption, as well as disaster relief support for animals in communities impacted by natural disasters.

Since its founding in 2008, the Foundation has helped more than 1.1 million dogs and awarded more than $16.6 million across 6,500 grants.

Recent data from the Shelter Animals Count 2026 Mid-Year Report highlights the scale of the need for adoption-driving programs. So far in 2026 in the U.S., outcomes for dogs are not keeping up with intakes, with 38,000 more dogs entering shelters and rescues than leaving through mid-year – 64% more than at this time last year. If the current pace continues, 2026 is on track to end with more animals in shelters and rescues than when the year began – reinforcing the importance of programs that help move more dogs into loving homes.

“Every grant is an opportunity to help shelters and rescues do more of what works, whether that’s expanding foster programs, providing behavior support or helping dogs reach communities where they have a better chance of being adopted,” said Deb Fair, Executive Director, PEDIGREE Foundation. “Our grants give shelters and rescues more tools to meet dogs’ needs, overcome barriers to adoption and ultimately connect more dogs with families. We’re proud to continue investing in practical, proven solutions that create more pathways from shelters to loving homes.”

Ringing in 2027 with the SEASON OF GOOD DOG™ Campaign
Following an impactful 2026, PEDIGREE Foundation is kickstarting the fundraising for their 2027 annual grants with its annual SEASON OF GOOD DOG™ campaign – because every dog is a good dog, and every dog deserves a loving home. Now through December 31, 2026, the first $15,000 raised will be matched, thanks to a generous donor and iHeartRadio. Dog lovers can donate at PEDIGREEFoundation.org/SEASONOFGOODDOG.

2026 PEDIGREE Foundation Grant Categories and Recipients
A complete list of recipients is available on the Foundation’s website.

DOGS RULE.® Grants are $100,000 grants provided over two years, funding new creative initiatives that not only help their own organizations but also serve as best-practice models for other shelters and rescues to help increase dog adoption rates. The 2026 recipients are:

• Gateway Pet Guardians (East St. Louis, IL): The second half of this grant for 2025 and 2026 will support their Finder-to-Foster Program, which empowers residents who find stray dogs to become temporary fosters – keeping dogs out of the shelter to reduce stress and euthanasia risk, and increase the shelter’s capacity to serve more animals. The funds will provide supplies, transportation, and support to ensure the pets’ wellbeing while awaiting reunion or adoption.
• Oklahoma Humane Society (Oklahoma City, OK): The first half of this grant for 2026 and 2027 will support their Foster U: Behavior-Informed Foster Training Program, a structured, tiered foster training program designed to increase foster caregiver preparedness and improve outcomes for dogs with behavioral needs.

Program Development Grants help shelters and rescues expand proven programs that increase dog adoptions, with a focus on foster care, behavior support and transport.

• This year, $484,000 will be awarded for program development funding to 34 shelters and rescues.

Collaborative Grants are awarded to organizations that bring partners together around initiatives to help more dogs get adopted. This year’s grants include Year Two of our Foster 50 Challenge Grants.

• This year, 21 of these grants will be given, totaling $420,000.

Disaster Relief Grants are provided on an as-needed basis to quickly support dogs in disaster-stricken communities across the U.S., including rescuing and providing care for dogs in need, transporting dogs out of shelters to make room for displaced dogs, enlisting fosters to care for pets of families with impacted housing situations and more.

• This year, seven grants totaling $155,000 helped dogs impacted by natural disasters, including wildfires in Colorado and floods in Indiana, Hawaii and Central Texas.

Canadian Grants support animal shelters and rescue organizations in Canada with implementing and strengthening their foster, behavior and adoption matching, transport, remote community support and safety net programs.

• This year, $100,000 CAD was awarded through 10 program development grants given to 10 shelters across Canada, as well as four grants totaling $15,000 CAD covering adoption fees as part of Mars Global Adoption Weekend*.
• One Disaster Relief Grant of $10,000 CAD was given to Humane Canada to help enable quicker responses to support pets impacted by wildfires across Canada.

To learn more about PEDIGREE Foundation and the 2026 grant recipients, or to donate to the SEASON OF GOOD DOG™ campaign to help find loving homes for more dogs in need, visit PEDIGREEFoundation.org and follow PEDIGREE Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.

*PEDIGREE Foundation operates independently from Mars, and grants are awarded solely based on charitable objectives.

About PEDIGREE Foundation
We believe every dog deserves a loving, forever home. PEDIGREE Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to help end pet homelessness. Nearly 3 million dogs end up in shelters and rescues every year, and nearly half never find a home. The foundation was established in 2008 by Mars Petcare, maker of PEDIGREE® food for dogs, to help increase dog adoption rates. We’ve awarded more than 6,500 grants and over $16.6 million to U.S. and Canadian shelters and rescues that help dogs in need and have helped more than 1.1 million dogs through grants support. Since launching our Canadian grant program in 2022, we have provided more than $595,000 CAD to local shelters and rescues and Disaster Relief Grants across Canada. At PEDIGREE Foundation, we’re working toward a day when all dogs are safe, welcomed, cared for, well fed and loved. See how you can help at PedigreeFoundation.org.

Contact:
Samantha Barron
WOI Communications
samantha@woicommunications.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-than-1-1-million-dogs-helped-and-counting-pedigree-foundation-awards-over-1-24-million-in-2026-grants-and-kicks-off-2027-fundraising-302934520.html

SOURCE Mars, Incorporated