Animal Welfare Grants Programme
Yearly funding for registered animal welfare charities, towards the day-to-day cost of rescue, rehoming, veterinary care and public education. The amount depends on the organisation and the year's allocation.
Last checked October 2026
What it is
Yearly funding for registered animal welfare charities in Ireland, covering the day-to-day cost of animal rescue, rehoming, veterinary care and public education. Organisations must apply each year. The Department's page does not currently give an opening or closing date, so check it or contact the Animal Welfare Division for the next call.
Who can get it
- You are a registered charity in Ireland
- You have the facilities, expertise and transport to take in rescued animals and respond to calls for help
- You have an active rehoming policy, a written maximum holding period and a detailed record of every animal you take in
- You apply in the annual round run by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
- It is for organisations, not for individual pet owners.
- Organisations must apply each year. The Department's page does not currently give a 2026 opening or closing date, so check it or contact the Animal Welfare Division (Animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie, +353 1 607 2379) for the next call.
- It covers day-to-day welfare costs, so it helps registered charities keep their rescue and rehoming work going.
How to apply
Applications go through DAFM. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 20 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
Who can get the Animal Welfare Grants Programme?
Registered animal welfare charities in Ireland that have the facilities, expertise and transport to take in rescued animals, an active rehoming policy and full records of every animal. It is not for individual pet owners.
What does it cover?
The day-to-day cost of animal rescue, rehoming, veterinary care and public education on animal welfare.
When can I apply?
Organisations must apply each year. The Department's page does not currently give an opening or closing date, so check it or contact the Animal Welfare Division (Animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie, +353 1 607 2379).
How do I apply?
Through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the annual round is open. Check the official page for the next call.
Related guides
- LEADER programme
- CLÁR programme
- Local Improvement Scheme
- Town & Village Renewal
- Local Enhancement Programme (LEP)
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