$500,000 in grants awarded to 107 animal organizations for reducing barriers

Twenty-three national animal welfare organizations came together for the 2024 Open Arms Challenge. The goal of the Challenge was to encourage animal shelters, rescue organizations and organizations working to keep people and pets together to pilot new approaches that increase inclusivity for new adopters and volunteers and provide a welcoming environment for all community members. In total, 107 organizations received a total of $500,000 in grant prizes.

For the month of April 2024, 243 participating organizations across the United States embraced inclusive policies; including but not limited to translation of materials into multiple languages; reducing lengthy adoption applications; creating new partnerships with organizations outside of animal welfare; and removing barriers to adoption, foster and volunteering. These amazing efforts resulted in the adoption of 11,052 dogs and cats, support 20,973 volunteers for and assistance to keep 69,539 animals in their home and/or community during the Challenge period!

“We are honored to be part of this collaborative effort and we are inspired by the innovative ways organizations are keeping pets and people together,” said Nadia Oseguera-Ramon, California Program Manager, UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, California for All Animals. “The Open Arms Challenge encourages us all to rethink who is being excluded through policies and processes and find new, culturally responsive ways to engage our communities—whether that means translating materials or actively building trust with Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) community members. Ultimately, this work benefits not just animals and their families, but also the dedicated shelter staff who support them every day.”

“The love of a pet should not be a privilege. As an industry, we need to stop looking for reasons to say ‘no’ and start saying ‘YES!’,” said Mary Ippoliti-Smith, Executive Leadership Team member, Maddie’s Fund^®. It’s amazing what can happen when we believe people when they say their home is ready for a dog or cat instead of combing through it, looking for hazards. We celebrate each and every one of the participating organizations who did just that!”

The changes made to programs and processes varied from organization to organization. For some, it was as straightforward as providing literature in multiple languages or returning voicemails in a timely manner. Others started having open and honest conversations with adopters instead of requiring lengthy, written adoption applications, undertook bias training, or focused on neighborhoods where adoption events were not previously held.

“Michelson Found Animals is proud to support the Open Arms Challenge and congratulates the participating organizations on their impactful work,” said Brett Yates, CEO, Michelson Found Animals. “This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration in animal welfare. By investing in programs that promote inclusivity and accessibility, we’re taking significant strides toward a future where every animal has a loving home.”

Below are just a few of the winners, view the full list to see if your local organization made it!

Overall Effort: $5,000

Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, Alexandria, VA
Beautiful Hearts Rescue, Shell Lake, WI
Bitterroot Humane Association, Hamilton, MT
Buster’s Paw Prints, Red Bluff, CA
Cabot Animal Support Services, Cabot, AR

Processes are equitable and inclusive: $2,000

Bartholomew County Humane Society, Columbus, IN
Cat by Cat Inc, East Amherst, NY
City of Saginaw Animal Services, Saginaw, TX
City of Santa Rosa Animal Control, Santa Rosa, NM
Feral Freedom Northern California, San Martin, CA

Customer success is ensured through customer service: $2,000
Austin Humane Society, Austin, TX
Darlington County Humane Society, Darlington, SC
February Star Sanctuary, Knoxville, MD
Frankie & Andy’s, Winder, GA
Humane Society Elkhart County, Bristol, IN

This Challenge is funded by Adopt a Pet, California for All Animals, Life of Riley, Maddie’s Fund® and Michelson Found Animals Foundation and in collaboration with American Pets Alive!, ASPCA, The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement, Best Friends Animal Society, BISSELL Pet Foundation, The Community Cats Podcast, Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity (CARE), Cuddly, Greater Good Charities, HeARTS Speak, Humane Society of the United States, JVR Shelter Strategies, Maddie’s® Million Pet Challenge, National Animal Care and Control Association, Petco Love, Petfinder Foundation, PetSmart Charities and Shelter Animals Count.