Animal rehoming organisations play a vital role in supporting both animal welfare and the wellbeing of communities, often stepping in where resources are limited and needs are high. From rescuing and rehabilitating vulnerable animals to facilitating safe, loving placements, this work requires not only compassion and dedication, but sustainable funding. Grants are a critical part of that funding landscape, providing organisations with access to financial support that can strengthen their operations, expand their reach, and ultimately improve outcomes for animals in their care.
For many rehoming organisations - particularly small to medium not-for-profit organisations - grants can be the difference between maintaining essential services and being able to grow and innovate. They can help cover everything from veterinary care, food, and shelter, to staff training, community education programs, and infrastructure improvements. Beyond immediate financial relief, grants also offer an opportunity to build long-term capacity, enabling organisations to trial new initiatives, respond to emerging challenges, and continue delivering impactful, life-changing work for animals and the people who care for them.
To help support this important work, PetRescue has researched a range of grant opportunities available to animal rehoming organisations. There are several states which offer Animal Welfare Grants (see here) which you can find here, however additional grants that may be applicable to your organisation are listed below:
Please note that most Local Government Councils or Cities offer community grants. We suggest searching your council and ‘community grants’ to see if there may be opportunities available to your organisation.
These grants were researched by the PetRescue team in March 2026, please be sure to check the requirements before applying. If you know any additional grants available or noticed outdated information below, please reach out to us at members@petrescue.org.au to let us know.
State Animal Welfare Grants
NSW: Companion Animal Welfare and Rehoming Grant by NSW Office of Local Government
Grant Amount: up to $100,000
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
VIC: Animal Welfare Fund Grants Program by Animal Welfare Victoria
Grant amount: Pet welfare- $20,000 to $100,000 (based on size of org); Vet equipment up to $50,000; Establish new, low-cost vet clinics- up to $200,000
Opens: TBA
More information here
ACT: Companion Animal Grants Program by ACT Government City of Services
Grant amount: up to $25,000
Opens: TBA
More information here
WA: Animal Welfare Grant Program by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Grant amount: up to $50,000
Opens: 6 April 2026
Closes: 4 May 2026
More information here
National Grants
Capricorn Foundation
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: 1 Feb 2026
Closes: 1 Jun 2026
Grant Details: Sustainable environment and animal protection.
More information here
Research Grant by Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: Nov 2026
Closes: Feb 2027
Grant Details: Disease research in companion animals.
More information here
Strengthening Rural Communities by Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal
Grant Amount: $10,000 to $50,000
Opens: -
Closes: 24 March 2026
Grant Details: Regional equipment or disaster preparedness.
More information here
Australian Veterinary Association by Animal Welfare Trust
Grant Amount: up to $10,000
Opens: 23 Feb 2026
Closes: 29 March 2026
Grant Details: Welfare research and clinical improvements.
More information here
Telstra Foundation
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: Always Open
Grant Details: Social change through technology.
More information here
Bendigo Community Grants by Bendigo Bank
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: Varies
Closes: Varies
Details: Local projects supported by branches.
More information here
National Grants Program by WIRES
Grant Amount: $2,000 to $50,000
Opens: March 2026
Closes: Mid 2026
Grant Details: Native wildlife rescue, rehab, and habitat restoration.
More information here
Grant Program by PETstock Foundation
Grant Amount: $10,000 to $30,000
Opens: Ongoing
Closes: Ongoing
Grant Details: Grassroots rescue, rehab, and rehoming projects.
More information here
Buddy's Grants by SavourLife
Grant Amount: $5,000 to $50,000
Opens: Ongoing
Closes: Ongoing
Grant Details: Covers desexing and infrastructure.
More information here
Community Customer Grants by Bank Australia
Grant Amount: up to $25,000
Opens: 12 March 2026
Closes: 23 April 2026
Grant Details: Animal welfare projects.
More information here
Volunteer Grants by Department of Social Services
Grant Amount: $1,000 to $5,0000
Opens: Jan 2026
Closes: June 2026
Grant Details: Support and increase participation in volunteering.
More information here
Community Grants Program by Sisters of Charity
Grant Amount: up to $20,000
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Empowering disadvantaged communities.
More information here
Innovation Fellowship by Myer Foundation
Grant Amount: $180,000
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Program themes of sustainability & environment.
More information here
Environment Program by Ian Potter Foundation
Grant Amount: upwards of $100,000
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Large-scale biodiversity protection
More information here
Community Wellbeing Program by Ian Potter Foundation
Grant Amount: upwards of $100,000
Opens: 28 May 2026
Closes: 18 Jun 2026
Grant Details: Helping vulnerable communities
More information here
Funding by June Canavan Foundation
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: -
Closes: 1 Aug 2026
Grant Details: Social and environmental pioneering.
More information here
Supporting Communities by Harcourts Foundation
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: 4 Feb 2026
Closes: 3 May 2026
Grant Details: Helps, grows and enriches the community
More information here
Animal Welfare Announcement by Survival & Flourishing Fund
Grant Amount: $50,000 USD to $250,000 USD
Opens: -
Closes: 30 Apr 2026
Grant Details: High-impact Animal Welfare innovation focus.
More information here
Brighter Futures Program by Arrow Energy
Grant Amount: up to $5,000
Opens: 2027 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Promotes community wellbeing, healthy lifestyles, or caring for our environment.
More information here
Fund for Good by Macpac
Grant Amount: $2,000 to $10,000
Opens: 2027 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Environment and native wildlife projects.
More information here
Environmental Grants by Patagonia
Grant Amount: $5,000 USD to $20,000 USD
Opens: 2027 TBC
Closes: -
Details: Action-oriented habitat protection.
More information here
Ads Grant by Google
Grant Amount: up to AU$13,000 per month
Opens: Ongoing
Closes: -
Grant Details: Funding towards Google Ads.
More information here
Flourish Funding by AMP Foundation
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Economic empowerment initiatives.
More information here
Grants & Hero Loan Vehicle by The Honda Foundation
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: -
Closes: 8 Aug 2026
Grant Details: Monetary funding and/or loan vehicle.
More information here
NSW Grants
Please note that most Local Government Councils or Cities offer community grants. We suggest searching your council and ‘community grants’ to see if there may be opportunities available to your organisation.
Community Grants Program by Transurban
Grant Amount: up to $10,000
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Environment or STEM
More information here
Domestic and Family Violence Pets and Animal Welfare Support (DFV PAWS) by Department of Communities and Justice
Grant Amount: $3,000 to $40,000
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Safety for pets of DFV victim-survivors.
More information here
NT Grants
Please note that most Local Government Councils or Cities offer community grants. We suggest searching your council and ‘community grants’ to see if there may be opportunities available to your organisation.
Community Benefit Fund: major community grants by NT Government
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: Ongoing
Closes: -
Grant Details: Infrastructure and welfare programs.
More information here
Community Benefit Fund: minor community grants by NT Government
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: Ongoing
Closes: -
Grant Details: Infrastructure and welfare programs.
More information here
Community Benefit Fund: vehicle gifts by NT Government
Grant Amount: gift of ex-government vehicle
Opens: Ongoing
Closes: -
Grant Details: gift of ex-government vehicle
More information here
QLD Grants
Please note that most Local Government Councils or Cities offer community grants. We suggest searching your council and ‘community grants’ to see if there may be opportunities available to your organisation.
Lord Mayor’s Community Fund by Brisbane City Council
Grant Amount: $250 to $10,000
Opens: -
Closes: 12 Jun 2026
Grant Details: Create stronger social bonds.
More information here
Community Grant Program by Port of Brisbane
Grant Amount: up to $15,000
Opens: -
Closes: 30 Apr 2026
Grant Details: Education, community, and environment.
More information here
Community Giving Fund by Brisbane Airport
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: 2027 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Groups making Brisbane a better place.
More information here
Gambling Community Benefit by Queensland Government
Grant Amount: up to $35k
Opens: Apr 2026
Closes: May 2026
Grant Details: -
More information here
Good For Good Community Grants by Queensland Country Bank
Grant Amount: up to $30,000
Opens: 1 Jul 2026
Closes: -
Grant Details: Participate, connect, and make a difference.
More information here
Grants by Queensland Gives
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: 2027 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Inclusive, community-wide social needs.
More information here
Grants by Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: 29 June 2026
Closes: 10 July 2026
Grant Details: Grassroots programs or initiatives.
More information here
Community Grants Program by Transurban
Grant Amount: up to $10,000
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Environment or STEM
More information here
Community Futures Fund by CleanCo Queensland
Grant Amount: up to $5,000
Opens: 16 Feb 2026
Closes: 30 Mar 2026
Grant Details: NFPs, community services, and environment.
More information here
Community Growth Grant by QCoal Foundation
Grant Amount: up to $15,000
Opens: 2027 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Liveability, health, and education
More information here
Community Grants by Powerlink Queensland
Grant Amount: up to $5,000
Opens: 2027 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Resilience, safety and well-being.
More information here
TAS Grants
Please note that most Local Government Councils or Cities offer community grants. We suggest searching your council and ‘community grants’ to see if there may be opportunities available to your organisation.
Social Impact and Evaluation Grant Round by Tasmanian Community Fund
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Leadership in social impact.
More information here
VIC Grants
Please note that most Local Government Councils or Cities offer community grants. We suggest searching your council and ‘community grants’ to see if there may be opportunities available to your organisation.
Community Grants Program by Transurban
Grant Amount: up to $10,000
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Environment or STEM
More information here
Animals & Environment Grants by Hazel and Arthur Bruce Bequest
Grant Amount: $5,000 and $20,000
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: Welfare of cats and dogs focus.
More information here
WA Grants
Please note that most Local Government Councils or Cities offer community grants. We suggest searching your council and ‘community grants’ to see if there may be opportunities available to your organisation.
Community Investment by LotteryWest
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: Ongoing
Closes: -
Grant Details: WA-specific community development.
More information here
SA Grants
Please note that most Local Government Councils or Cities offer community grants. We suggest searching your council and ‘community grants’ to see if there may be opportunities available to your organisation.
Grants SA by Government of South Australia Human Services
Grant Amount: Varies
Opens: March 2026
Closes: -
Grant Details: outcomes of improved community participation, social inclusion, wellbeing, and quality of life.
More information here
Community Grants by City of Adelaide
Grant Amount: up to $5,000
Opens: 2026 TBC
Closes: -
Grant Details: focused on social inclusion, participation, reconciliation, wellbeing, and lifelong learning.
More information here
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