Category: Press Releases

  • California for All Animals Legislative Report 2023 Released

    California for All Animals Legislative Report 2023 Released

    California for All Animals Distributes $15.5M in Grants in First Year

    In accordance with the language set forth in Article 6.4. Animal Shelter Assistance Act, KSMP set out to design a program that provided outreach, in-person assessments, training on current best practices, and grant monies to California city, county, or city and county animal control agencies or shelters, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, and humane societies. The language outlined in the Animal Shelter Assistance Act served as a guide for the program and funding design. Best practices and recommendations were grounded in the Association of Shelter Veterinarian’s Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters, of which members of the KSMP were co-authors, as well as the expertise of the team in multiple areas of animal sheltering from veterinary care and surgery to shelter management and marketing. In addition to soliciting feedback from public and private animal shelters within the state, KSMP engaged with other granting organizations and service agencies working in the state and nationally such as Maddie’s Fund, Best Friends Animal Society, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Michelson Found Animals Foundation, RSO Foundation, California Community Foundation, PetSmart Charities, National Animal Care and Control Association (NACA), Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE), and Cal Animals. This research and stakeholder input supported the identification of best practices and the development of a strategic plan for the California for All Animals program.

    The California for All Animals program publicly launched on February 14, 2022, with concerted marketing and outreach efforts designed to engage shelters in every region of the state that met the goals outlined in the Animal Shelter Assistance Act.


    Download the Report

    Chart showing disbursement of over $15 million in funds via six grants

  • UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program Awards Animal Shelters More Than 5.8
    Million Dollars Through California for All Animals Spring Grant Cycle

    Davis, Calif., Dec. 12, 2022 – California for All Animals has completed awards totaling more than 5.8 million dollars to animal shelters across the state through its spring 2022 “Open Grant” cycle. Launched in February 2022, this five-year, state-funded initiative—administered by the Koret Shelter Medicine Program (KSMP) at the UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Health—reflects California’s commitment to ending euthanasia of healthy and treatable animals in shelters and creating communities where all pets and their people, no matter where they call home, have access to the resources, relationships, and opportunities they need to thrive. 

    The spring grant cycle focused on keeping animals in their homes through growing shelter and community-centered programming so that every at-risk animal can receive the Right Care in the Right Place, at the Right Time, and to the Right Outcome.  

    “We all know pets and people belong together, and the reality is most animals entering shelters are loved and wanted. Everything from an unexpected illness to rising grocery bills can force families to surrender their pet; something as simple as a fence that needs repair can lead to a lost dog,” said Allison Cardona, California for All Animals director. “Together, we’re responding to these challenges, and we’re proud to fund shelters’ efforts to develop and integrate essential resources that keep animals with the people who love them, or help them succeed in new homes when needed.” 

    Over 60 shelters received grants in support of proposals that lay the tracks for a system of care that builds and sustains animal health and well-being in the community, inside the shelter and out. These initiatives connect people and animals with the resources they need to move forward in life together, whether that’s through addressing issues that prevent families from getting veterinary care or securing pet-inclusive housing, or joining forces to make sure lost pets return home. 

    “With this grant, we’re creating a network of neighbors ready to help locate a lost pet’s family, starting by making microchip scanners available at easily accessible locations, including police departments and fire stations, said Tracy Mohr, Chico Animal Shelter Director.  

    “Next, we’ll expand this network to include neighborhood volunteers known as ‘Pet Pals.’ It’s a team effort—we all want to do the right thing to help pets get reunited with their owners. What better way to empower our community but to provide people with the tools to help them be successful.” 

    Other shelters participating in California for All Animals are establishing a strong foundation for well-being by expanding spay and neuter capacity; increasing positive outcomes through adoptions, foster programs, or animals reunited with their families and returned home; strengthening the physical, medical, and mental well-being of animals in the shelter; and boosting community services and partnerships through expanded opportunities for engagement, veterinary care, and pet supplies. 

    For a full list of shelters who received an Open Grant, visit https://www.californiaforallanimals.com/grants/open-grants/. To learn more about California for All Animals and join the shelters, supporting organizations, and people building humane-hearted communities for pets and people, visit https://www.californiaforallanimals.com.

  • UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Launches $50M Program for Shelter Animals

    Spreading the love to ALL on Valentine’s Day.

    [The launch event is now available to view below]

    California shelters and their communities are invited to join the California for All Animals online launch party on February 14. The kick-off event marks the beginning of a five-year project to improve the lives of at-risk animals in the state and provide much-needed resources to shelters that serve this vulnerable population.  

    This unique state-funded initiative was made possible in 2021 when California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed budget legislation that includes $45 million in one-time support for a statewide Animal Shelter Assistance Program, an augmentation to $5 million earmarked earlier that year.  

    The initiative – administered by the Koret Shelter Medicine Program (KSMP) at the UC Davis Center for Companion Animal Health – will provide critical funding for shelters, perform onsite and virtual consultations, and offer expert-led training. The program represents a promise kept and emphasizes the governor’s commitment to help communities realize the state’s long-held policy that “no adoptable or treatable animal should be euthanized.” 

    “I pledged that all California communities would have the resources they need to ensure that no healthy or treatable animal dies in a shelter and I have not forgotten, we have not forgotten, that promise,” said Newsom. “Both then and now it’s clear that we must take action to protect the most vulnerable among us.” 

    KSMP California State Director Allison Cardona said she knows firsthand from her experience at the largest sheltering system in California that these funds are needed now more than ever. 

    “Communities are struggling and shelters are too,” Cardona said. “These funds promise a brighter tomorrow. We’re excited to partner with shelters to find creative solutions within their communities to help keep pets in their homes whenever possible and provide the best care inside the shelter when it’s not.”  

    The Valentine’s Day event will include information about joining the program, eligibility, and details about the first round of grants available beginning February 14th.

    You can read more about the Animal Shelter Assistance Act. For a history of the governor’s original proposal, see Governor Newsom Proposes a $50M Investment to Help California’s Homeless Animals at Sheltermedicine.com. Visit California for All Animals to find out more about grants available now. 

    To be kept up to date about developments, please sign up for the California for All Animals mailing list.

    About UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
    In 2000 UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine launched the first shelter medicine program in the world. Since then, the Koret Shelter Medicine Program has moved beyond the basics — how to vaccinate, clean, feed, and handle animals — to guide the whole animal-shelter system. The program offers organizational evaluations, facility design consultations, and online training, all intended to provide practical, cost-effective solutions to improve animal welfare and adoptability.