Pathways Home Grant

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

• 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

Application Process

Before Applying:

1. Carefully read the Grant Program Information pages to fully understand the program's purpose, expected impact, and reporting requirements
2. Review all application questions in advance to ensure you are prepared to provide detailed program descriptions and credible data related to senior-dog outcomes

Required Materials:

• Detailed program descriptions
• Credible data related to senior-dog outcomes
• Response to all application questions
• Commitment to standardized data collection and reporting

Submission Format:

• Submit through online application portal (specific details in GRANTS APPLICATION PROCESS page)

Important Notes:

• No exceptions will be made for applications submitted after the March 15, 2026 at 11:59pm EST deadline
• Refer to GRANTS APPLICATION PROCESS page for complete step-by-step instructions and specific narrative questions