Senator Pam Helming announced Wednesday that $5 million is available through the New York State Companion Animal Fund to support critical improvement projects at animal shelters around our state. The fund allows eligible organizations to make significant updates to their facilities to enhance animal care and health. Funding is available to non-profit and municipal animal shelters, humane societies, and societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals. The program aims to help these organizations continue to provide sheltering services to local communities and promote better care for the animals.

"As an animal lover, I am a strong supporter of assisting the animal shelters that care for our shelter pets until they find a home with a loving family. Earlier this year, I joined my State Senate colleagues to pass a package of legislation aimed at keeping our pets and owners safe and holding accountable those who harm and abuse them. We also fought to secure an additional $5 million in the state budget for the Companion Animal Fund, which provides humane societies and shelters with grants for capital projects, so they can take care of our shelter pets until they await their forever home. I am glad that this funding opportunity is available to municipal and nonprofit organizations around the Wayne-Finger Lakes region and New York State, and I encourage eligible groups to take advantage of these grants," Senator Helming said.

The Companion Animal Capital Fund, the first state-funded program in the nation to support improvement projects at shelters, will provide competitive matching grants to offset the costs associated with capital projects. Projects include renovating dog kennels or building more efficient shelters to reduce the cost of operation. Funds can be used to construct, renovate, rehab, or acquire buildings or equipment needed to house, treat, and care for sheltered dogs and cats.

Eligible organizations that serve a single municipality may apply for grants of $50,000 to $200,000. The awarded funding may not exceed 50 percent of the proposed project cost, and applicants are required to match 50 percent of the grant total. Eligible organizations serving two or more municipalities may apply for grants of $100,000 to $500,000. For these grants, the awarded funding may not exceed 75 percent of the proposed project cost, and applicants are required to match 25 percent of the grant.

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