November 3, 2026
Categories: Foster Programs, Grants

In partnership with PEDIGREE Foundation, Adopt a Pet, MuttNation, ASPCA, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, Mutual Rescue and Outcomes for Pets Consulting, Maddie’s Fund® is thrilled to announce the 2026 grantees of the $240,000 challenge, which aimed to reduce shelter length of stay across the nation. 

Led by a coalition of leading animal well-being organizations, Foster50 is a national initiative designed to help animal shelters and foster-based rescues increase foster participation. The challenge was launched as a call to action in response to an increase in the length of stay for animal shelters nationwide, as reported by the 2024 Shelter Animals Count data. By engaging more pet parents to foster, the initiative is designed to make fostering feel more accessible, whether that’s removing barriers, removing home visits, making the application easier, foster more prominent on the website, etc.  

This year’s $240,000 in challenge grants is made possible through a collaborative funding effort. A lot of organizations tried to make the onboarding process much faster and more streamlined. This made it easier for people. With regards to foster pleas (asking the community to foster), some organizations used personal outreach and communication to have a higher success rate of placement. 

There are many inspiring stories that we’ll share over time. One organization in particular, Ripple’s Rescue, had a huge increase in foster care year over year. In their report, they shared, “Throughout the Foster 50 Challenge, our foster program evolved from a traditional foster model into a much more flexible, community-driven program. One of our biggest successes came from changing how we recruited fosters. Using the social media strategies from the challenge, we regularly invited our community to take dogs on day dates, overnight stays, and ‘Pupventures.’ These lower commitment opportunities removed barriers for people who weren’t ready to become full-time fosters.”

They said the impact was incredible. During the May-July challenge period last year, only three dogs spent time in foster care. As opposed to this year, 39 dogs experienced foster care through day dates, overnight stays, short-term fosters, and traditional foster homes! “Getting dogs out of the kennels has been the highlight of this challenge for every one of us. These outings helped dogs decompress, build social skills, visit local businesses and parks, and gave us better photos, videos, and stories to help them get adopted.”

Below are the grant selections. Maddie’s Fund’s are bold with an (MF) beside them, Pedigree’s have (Ped) next to them, and Adopt-a-Pet’s and MuttNation’s selections are noted at the bottom.

Foster 50 Trailblazer Award ($10,000 each) – For leading the way with creativity, resourcefulness, and measurable impact in fostering, and for a transformative commitment to innovation and growth that sets the gold standard for what’s possible in animal fostering.

  • Operation Kindness (Ped)
  • Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (MF)

Foster 50 Community Connector Award ($7,500 each) – For outstanding work engaging diverse communities, expanding access, and creating inclusive pathways to fostering.

  • Companion Animal Coalition (MF)
  • Helping Hands Humane Society (MF)
  • La Plata County Humane Society (Ped)

Foster 50 Innovator Award ($7,500 each)- For bold, creative thinking that reimagines what fostering can look like — meeting people where they are.

  • LifeLine Animal Project (Ped)
  • Palm Springs Animal Shelter (Ped)
  • Contra Costa Humane Society (MF)
  • Homeward Pet Adoption Center (MF)
  • Houston Humane Society (MF)
  • Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (MF)
  • SPCA of Brazoria County (MF)

Foster 50 Pathfinder Award ($7,500 each) – For a total program overhaul and a relentless drive to keep improving — proving there’s always a better way to foster success.

  • Corinth Alcorn Animal Shelter (MF)
  • Pasadena Humane (Ped)
  • The Anti-Cruelty Society (MF)
  • Patty Baker Humane Society Naples (Ped)

Foster 50 Catalyst Award ($5,000 each) – For remarkable momentum and commitment — streamlining onboarding and embracing the challenge with energy and heart.

  • Asheville Humane Society (MF)
  • Claiborne County Animal Control Board, Inc. (MF)
  • DFW Pug Rescue Corporation, Inc (Ped)
  • Humane Society of the Ohio Valley (Ped)
  • Renegade Paws Rescue (Ped)
  • Cooper’s Chance Animal Rescue (Ped)

Foster 50 Transformation Award ($5,000 each) – For a program reinvention inspired by the challenge — turning lessons learned into lasting change.

  • Mitchell County Animal Rescue (Ped)
  • Ripple’s Rescue (MF)
  • SAFE Haven for Cats (MF)
  • Tree House Humane Society (MF)
  • Rocket Dog Rescue (Ped)
  • Michiana Humane Society, Inc. (Ped)
  • Rural Animal Rescue Effort (RARE) (Ped)
  • The Animal Pad (Ped)

Foster 50 Bravo Award ($1,000 each) – For excellent work embracing the Challenge and shining a spotlight on your foster programs. All are chosen by Maddie’s Fund. 

  • A Promised Land Animal Rescue, Inc. (MF)
  • Harbor Humane Society (MF)
  • Brother Wolf Animal Rescue (MF)
  • Humane Society of Skagit Valley (MF)
  • Mary S Roberts Pet Adoption Center (MF)

Adopt-a-Pet is awarding four Senior Pet Data Grants ($5,000 each):

  • Albuquerque Animal Welfare / Kennel Compadres
  • Canine Adoption and Rescue League (CARL)
  • Central Missouri Humane Society
  • Wild Blue Cats 

MuttNation is awarding four Love Harder grants focusing on seniors, pit mixes and large breeds and dogs with disabilities ($5,000 each):

  • Braveheart Bulliez Rescue
  • Cherished Tails Senior Rescue
  • Corridor Rescue
  • Miri’s Haven Senior Dog Rescue