HOW TO APPLY
The FY26 grant application window opened on Friday, January 10, 2025 at 12:00pm, and closed on Friday, April 11, 2025 at 5:01pm. The Guidelines, Instructions, Applications, and Forms for the FY27 grant cycle will be posted below this section, in January 2026. A Request for Prosposals will be posted on this page in late December 2025.
Before you apply, it is vitally important that you carefully read and understand the Guidelines and Instructions that are linked below.
Please be sure that your project meets the Program requirements, that your organization is eligible to apply, and that you fully understand the questions, and have the documentation, budgets, and statistics that will be required. If you're not sure which grant opportunity is right for you, read through the following sections and the Guidelines and Instructions for both of the grant opportunities. If you're still not sure whether your project or organization qualifies, please contact the Program Coordinator.
Organizations may apply for one or both of these opportunities in a grant cycle, but only one of each type. The Pet Focused Grant opportunity is for for pet dogs and/or cats of low-income Marylanders only; the Feral Cat Focused Grant opportunity is for unowned, free-roaming cats only.
Applying organizations and veterinary clinics used do not need to be based in Maryland, but all animals and citizens receiving services must reside in Maryland.
Once you have all your data and materials together, and are ready to apply, please be sure you are referring to the Guidelines and Instructions as you complete the application, as this detailed information is NOT contained within the application.
Refer to the Grant Processing Timeline above so you know what to expect, and when.
If you have any questions regarding any of the topics above, or the applications, please contact the Program Coordinator BEFORE YOU APPLY. Once an application is submitted, no changes may be made, resubmissions are not allowed, and the Program Coordinator cannot provide any information regarding your application's status other than it being under review.
If your project is approved for funding, you will be required to submit Quarterly Grant Progress Reports, and a Final Report. For more information about the required reporting, visit this page. Please note that late and inaccurate reporting may affect future grant awards. Shelters that are not already required to provide Quarterly Shelter Statistics Reports may be required to do so for five years following a grant award.
Application Guidelines and Instructions for FY26:
Applications:
Applications for FY26 closed on Friday, April, 11, 2025 at 5:01pm. The FY27 application cycle will open in January 2026.
Forms/Documentation Required for Applications/Projects:
How to Obtain Required Shelter Statistics for Applications:
Request animal shelter statistics from your target area shelter(s): Maryland Animal Control Facilities
AND/OR
Prior years of annual shelter statistics can be found by clicking here (scroll to bottom category "Survey Reports"). Annual data is published on this page typically in mid-February for the preceding year. You may also contact the Program Coordinator directly.
Information and Links to Other Required Documentation:
- All Applicants: IRS Form W-9 (links to IRS webpage with downloadable, fillable form).
- Your W-9 must be signed, and dated within six months of your application date.
- All Applicants: SDAT Good Standing (links to MD State Department of Assessments & Taxation Business Express webpage). Please confirm your organization is in good standing with the State of Maryland before submitting your application.
- WHAT IS "SDAT GOOD STANDING"?
- In Maryland, when one is obtaining a license, renewal, loan settlement, grant, etc., the person/organization is often required to obtain a “Certificate of Status” (generally called a “good standing” certificate) from the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). On the specific date and time, SDAT issues a certificate verifying that a business entity is in “good standing,” meaning that all documents and fees required by law to be submitted to SDAT have been received, and that no other government agency has notified SDAT that the entity is delinquent in tax payments. You do not currently need to provide this certificate with your application, but it is expected that applicants verify that their organization is in good standing with the State of Maryland before submitting their application. For more information, please click here.
- WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN AN ORGANIZATION IS NOT IN GOOD STANDING?
- Non-Profit Applicants Who Fundraise in MD: Maryland Charitable Registration Permit (links to MD Secretary of State webpage with OneStop user guides to access online permits).
- Applicants with Animal Shelters in MD: Maryland Animal Shelter Standards of Care Document (links to MD State Veterinary Board webpage with information and a link to the Maryland Standards from COMAR).
- WHO IS REQUIRED TO HAVE A STANDARDS OF CARE DOCUMENT?
- A shelter that is owned by a county or municipality;
- A shelter that a county or municipality contracts with for animal control services; or
- A shelter that has received a grant from the Maryland Spay and Neuter Grant Program during the previous year.
Other MDA Forms: