Pathways Home Grant

Pathways Home Grant

Funder: The Grey Muzzle Organization (NC, US)

Program Purpose: Supports shelters and rescues in prioritizing essential care for senior dogs in their custody, with the goal of accelerating safe, appropriate placements through adoption, foster, or hospice.

Focus Areas

• Removing common barriers that delay placement of senior dogs, including:
- Untreated medical needs - Dental disease - Incomplete adoption-readiness information - Adopter uncertainty
• Standardized data collection to identify which services create the greatest impact

Eligibility Requirements

• U.S.A. based organization
• Current 501(c)(3) tax designation (Government and municipal shelters with an affiliated "Friends of [Shelter]" 501(c)(3) are also eligible)
• Must use grant funding exclusively to serve senior dogs age 7 and older
• Demonstrate capacity to track and report required data specific to senior dogs
• Agree to standardized reporting requirements and outcome measurements as defined by Grey Muzzle
• Willing and able to complete four quarterly updates
• Willing and able to complete a comprehensive final report

Geographic Scope

• United States only

Grant Cycle Timeline

• Applications open: February 16, 2026 at 8:00am EST
• Applications close: March 15, 2026 at 11:59pm EST
• Review and evaluation: March 17 – April 30, 2026
• Award notifications: Between May 1 – May 15, 2026
• Grant period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

Contact Information

• Director of Grants & Engagement: Dana Tharp
• Email: [email protected]

Background

• Part of the 2026–2027 National Senior Dog Grants Initiative
• Designed to build a national evidence base for what truly improves outcomes for senior dogs
• Focuses on identifying interventions that most effectively move senior dogs from shelter into adoptive, foster, or hospice homes