Awarded Grants

Our capacity-building grantmaking aims to address root cause issues by funding solutions that ensure animal welfare organizations can continue to serve as many animals as possible. We prioritize operational support to help shelters transition from surviving to thriving.

Grantmaking by Program Category

Our annual grant cycle offers the following capacity-building categories:

GENERAL OPERATING

Unrestricted grants designed to support ongoing staff, program, and facility costs are examples of past application requests

ANIMAL POPULATION PROGRAMS

Spay-neuter, access to care, behavior, in-state animal transfers, and similar programs to help manage pet animal populations across Colorado are examples of past application requests

ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY PROGRAMS

Staff and Board training, equipment and repairs, technology needs, and fundraising capacity assistance are examples of past application requests

Learn more about how we make grants.

Safety-Net Programs for Colorado Communities

JJ’s Helping Paws

Enhanced Spay/Neuter Services: A recent AAF grant supported the spaying and neutering of 200 pet-owned cats and dogs and facilitated low-cost services in partnership with local veterinary clinics. Over 125 cats were also addressed through TNR efforts, reducing the overpopulation crisis.
Improved Veterinary Care Access: Over 60 cats received comprehensive veterinary care, including exams, vaccinations, spay/neuter procedures, and treatment for illnesses such as ringworm. Expanded partnerships with new clinics and organizations increased access to these vital services.

Partner Spotlight

For Pets' Sake Humane Society

Lifesaving Care Provided: The grant enabled lifesaving medical care for owned animals, addressing urgent needs such as dental issues, fractures, cancer, and other serious conditions.
Preventing Suffering and Abandonment: Reduced animal suffering, abandonment, or euthanasia by supporting owners who couldn't afford care on their own.

French Bulldog high fiving owner with a bowl of dog food on the ground

Colorado Pet Pantry

Feeding Pets in Need: With grant assistance from AAF, Colorado Pet Pantry was able to give 7.3 million meals to pets in need in the last year.
Helping Pets Stay with their Families: Last year alone, this program helped over 37,000 families remain united with their pets.

Innovative Spay/Neuter and Veterinary Care Programs

Exterior sign of D-SNiP Dogster's Spay and Neuter Program

Dogster's Spay & Neuter Program "D-SNiP"

Funding Spay/Neuter Clinics in Rural Communities: A recent AAF grant directly supported spay/neuter clinics each month for pets of 5 southern Colorado counties. These funds allowed D-SNiP to cover the cost of surgeries for families who would otherwise be unable to afford the service, making spay/neuter accessible to pet owners in underserved rural communities.
Number of Animals Impacted: D-SNiP was able to help more than 2,500 animals in 2024. The grant also contributed to reducing pet overpopulation and the number of homeless animals in community shelters. By offering free or copay-based clinics, the amazing team at D-SNiP ensured that families in need could participate in spaying/neutering their pets, which has a direct impact on controlling the pet population and improving overall community welfare.

City of Yuma

Innovative TNR Program: The City of Yuma, Colorado, used an AAF grant award to conduct Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) clinics aimed at managing the local stray animal population. This program has successfully increased community awareness, laid a strong foundation for ongoing stray population control, and created a healthier and more harmonious environment for Yuma’s residents and animals.

a dog on a table waiting to be checked by a vet

Street Dog Coalition

Essential Veterinary Care Provided: The grant enabled free veterinary care for pets of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, improving the health and well-being of pets and providing peace of mind to their owners.
Statewide Reach and Innovation: Services were delivered in urban areas and rural communities across Colorado, including recurring clinics and mobile outreach events, while piloting and refining programs based on client and collaborator feedback.

Groundbreaking Behavior Programs

All Breed Rescue & Training

Puppy Classes Provided: The grant covered fees for 64 puppies to participate in the Puppy Raising 101 Socialization and AKC STAR Puppy class, providing critical education for families to successfully raise and train their puppies.
Improved Puppy Socialization: Participating puppies received foundational training and socialization skills, fostering better behavior and setting them up for lifelong success.
Community Support: The program strengthened the bond between families and their pets while promoting responsible pet ownership, positively impacting the community.

Riverdale Animal Shelter

Successful Behavior Intervention for Dogs with Significant Needs: The grant funded a behavior program that reduced the average length of stay and improved adoptability and well-being for dogs. Through a partnership with a local trainer, the shelter delivered consistent behavior modification sessions focused on reducing stress and preparing dogs for successful placement.
The innovative initiative has strengthened Riverdale’s internal capacity and created a forward-thinking, compassionate model for supporting dogs with behavioral challenges.

Routt County Humane Society

Improved Enrichment and Adoption Outcomes: The grant funded a behavior enrichment program that reduced the average length of stay by one day and decreased the maximum length of stay by 46%, while 16 of 18 behaviorally challenged animals were adopted into loving homes.
Enhanced Community Resources and Support: The program introduced a behavior helpline utilized by community members and provided post-adoption support to ensure smooth transitions for adopted pets.
Investment in Sustainable Practices: Funds were used to hire a certified trainer, purchase enrichment materials, and train staff and volunteers, fostering long-term improvements in animal well-being and adoptability.

Mountain Valley Horse Rescue

Enhanced Training Capacity: AAF’s grant enabled the addition of a full-time trainer, resulting in the adoption of 27 horses this year, making it a near-record year for successful placements.

Leading the Way in Collaboration for Colorado’s Animals

At AAF, we believe collaboration is the key to solving the challenges facing Colorado's animals today. As a trusted convener of thought leaders and a facilitator of innovation within the animal welfare community, AAF is uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change.

We foster connections among grantees, linking organizations and leaders with capacity to those in need, ensuring that organizations get connected with available resources.
Through our collaborative grant programs, we tackle systemic issues by uniting multiple organizations to work toward shared goals. Additionally, our convenings inspire actionable projects, with funding available to bring those ideas to life.

Partner Stories

The Feline Fix

The Feline Fix received a two-week-old kitten, Evee, found alone in an abandoned trailer. “A good Samaritan scooped her up and brought her to us during a surgery day at the clinic. She was cleaned up and right away went into foster care, where she was bottle-fed for several weeks. The team named her "Evee". Evee was fostered by our own clinic manager and came to the clinic every single day so that the team could take turns bottle feeding her…she became very social, afraid of nothing, and while she took a bit longer to begin eating on her own, she is now a very beautiful, healthy, much loved kitten in a loving home.”
All Breed Rescue & Training

“Sophie, a 12-week-old terrier mix, started her training with her new dad and brother after being adopted from HSPPR. As first-time puppy owners, they arrived at class eager to learn. They gradually picked up essential training techniques, strengthening their bond. By graduation, their progress was remarkable, showcasing improved behaviors and interactions. This experience shows the power of training and socialization, highlighting the meaningful relationships built through learning.”
— All Breed Rescue & Training in Colorado Springs
JJs Helping Paws

“Cricket and Scout came to JJs when a neighbor rescued them after a week without food. When they came to us we had to slowly feed them so they wouldn't overeat. They are a bonded father and son. Their love for each other was key in their survival, and JJs knew they had to stay together. After neutering, vaccinating and ringworm treatment, they went to rescue partner and were adopted together. JJs is grateful to AAF for making this possible.”
— JJs Helping Paws in Canon City
Riverdale Animal Shelter

“Spike is a 3yr old Sharpei who came to us as an owner surrender due to behavioral challenges, particularly resource guarding. After spending nearly 90 days in our care, Spike was enrolled in the behavior support program. Thanks to our partnership with certified trainers, he received consistent, compassionate training focused on building basic skills, reducing stress, and increasing his adoptability. Spike made remarkable progress - his confidence grew, his stress levels decreased, and his interactions with staff and potential adopters improved. About a month later, Spike found his perfect match. A note from Spike’s new family: ‘He is my constant companion, and I am so glad that I adopted him.’”
Colorado Animal Rescue (C.A.R.E)

“Phyllis is a 15 year old Yorkie…She was living at a partner shelter that didn’t have resources to treat her medical conditions. Our Vet Team acted quickly; Phyllis received a dental with full mouth extractions, orthopedic surgery to repair an injured shoulder, and a visit to the doggie spa that included a nail trim and grooming. Phyllis’ transformation was remarkable and we’re thrilled to report she’s been adopted into a loving home.”
— Colorado Animal Rescue (C.A.R.E) in Glenwood Springs
Denver Animal Shelter

“Using AAF grant funds we did a Spay-A-Thon, in partnership with Bergen Spay/Neuter Alliance, which took place at Denver Animal Shelter. It was a huge success. 220 pets were spayed/neutered, 84 dogs & 136 cats. Many of these animals had been on our waitlist for some time, and for many owners, accessing these services is the difference in keeping their pet or having to surrender them.”