The Pets for the Elderly Foundation (PFE) is a 501(c)(3) public charity whose mission is to provide companionship to senior individuals through pet ownership, while saving the lives of companion animals in shelters; animals which might otherwise be destroyed due to lack of appropriate homes, and space limitations.
Pets For The Elderly Foundation centers its giving on one clear purpose: lowering the cost of companion-animal adoption for seniors age 60 and over. The foundation’s recent grants show that this is not a one-off effort but a repeated pattern across shelters in multiple states, with support often tied to adoption fee reduction and related veterinary costs. Its largest recent grant, $34,225 to Anti-cruelty Society Chicago, illustrates the scale of that work at the shelter level. Other awards to Oregon Humane Society and Kalamazoo Humane Society show the same model in other markets: funding flows to participating shelters so they can make adoption more affordable for older adults. The foundation’s programs also extend beyond the initial adoption moment. Beginning in 2020, it expanded into partner-shelter-run services that support retention for older adopters, including veterinary care, food assistance, home visits, and grooming. That combination of adoption-fee assistance and ongoing support defines the foundation’s role: helping seniors adopt companion dogs or cats while backing shelters that place and retain those animals.
A core theme in the foundation’s grantmaking is adoption affordability for older adults. It gave $22,430 to Oregon Humane Society for "TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS TO SENIORS," and a later award of $18,950 to Toledo Area Humane Society carried the same purpose. Similar grants to Dona Ana Humane Society and Bannock Humane Society Inc. show that this is a nationwide shelter-based model rather than a local program. The foundation also supports organizations that work directly on senior pet placement. It awarded $15,718 to Humane Animal Partners in Wilmington for "TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS," indicating a continued emphasis on lowering shelter barriers for older adopters. Beyond adoption fees, the program structure includes veterinary care and retention services through partner shelters. Its active programs route support to shelter-implemented services for adopters age 60 and over, including routine veterinary care, surgery, food assistance, home visits, and grooming.
Typical awards cluster in a fairly narrow band: the 25th percentile is $7,982, the median is $10,935, and the 75th percentile is $15,151. Recent grants show repeated support to the same shelters over multiple years, including Oregon Humane Society, Kalamazoo Humane Society, Humane Society of Catawba County, Dona Ana Humane Society / Dona Ana County Humane Society, and Toledo Area Humane Society. That suggests recurring partner relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, funds neither individuals nor program-related investments, and accepts unsolicited applications in its shelter-partner programs.
$481K
$1.3M
$605K
$540K
Most grants fall between $8K and $15K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 7% of grants go to recipients in IL.
M Vaselaney
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Giving is national, and every grant in the recent list goes to a U.S. recipient. Among individual locations, Chicago appears repeatedly, along with Oregon Humane Society in Portland, Kalamazoo Humane Society in Kalamazoo, and Humane Society of Catawba County in Hickory. Other recipient cities include Maumee, Wilmington, Las Cruces, and Prescott. Ohio is the headquarters state, but only 8% of grants go there; the top state by grant count is Iowa.
It most often funds adoption-fee assistance and related shelter support for senior citizens age 60 and over adopting companion dogs or cats. The foundation also supports partner-shelter services that can include routine veterinary care, surgery, food assistance, home visits, and grooming for older adopters.
The typical grant size is fairly compact: the 25th percentile is $7,982, the median is $10,935, and the 75th percentile is $15,151. That pattern fits a model of repeated shelter-level awards rather than large one-time institutional grants.
Yes. Several shelters appear multiple times across recent years, including Oregon Humane Society, Kalamazoo Humane Society, Humane Society of Catawba County, Dona Ana Humane Society / Dona Ana County Humane Society, and Toledo Area Humane Society. That points to ongoing relationships with participating shelters.
Yes. The active shelter-partner programs listed for the foundation indicate that they accept unsolicited requests, including programs for adoption fee assistance and veterinary care or retention support for senior adopters.
Their partner-shelter programs can cover adoption fees and, when included in the fee, pre-adoption veterinary exams and spay/neuter. The newer shelter-implemented programs also support routine veterinary care, surgery, food assistance, home visits, grooming, and other retention services for adopters age 60 and over.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Pets for the Elderly Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Senior adopters age 60 or older adopting from a certified/participating PFE partner shelter. Shelter must be a participating partner to receive PFE-funded fee support.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IDAHO HUMANE SOCIETY | BOISE, ID | $31,085 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| TOLEDO AREA HUMANE SOCIETY | MAUMEE, OH | $23,790 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF BOULDER VALLEY | BOULDER, CO | $21,550 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| THE ANIMAL FOUNDATION | LAS VEGAS, NV | $20,450 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| OREGON HUMANE SOCIETY | PORTLAND, OR | $20,040 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| MARIN HUMANE SOCIETY | NOVATO, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| FRIENDS OF CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG ANIMAL SERVICES INCORPORATED | CHARLOTTE, NC | $19,418 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF CATAWBA COUNTY | HICKORY, NC | $17,173 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| DONA ANA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | LAS CRUCES, NM | $17,000 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| DANE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | MADISON, WI | $16,163 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $16,132 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| SPCA ALBRECHT CENTER | AIKEN, SC | $15,964 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SERVICES | E BROOKFIELD, MA | $15,288 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| CATHERINE VIOLET HUBBARD FOUNDATION INC | NEWTOWN, CT | $15,000 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| EASY STREET ANIMAL SHELTER | SAINT JO, TX | $14,901 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| GREENHILL HUMANE SOCIETY | EUGENE, OR | $13,250 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| NATIONAL MILL DOG RESCUE | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $12,100 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE OF IOWA | DES MOINES, IA | $11,875 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| CAPITAL AREA HUMANE SOCIETY | LANSING, MI | $11,850 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| ANIMAL FRIENDS INC | PITTSBURGH, PA | $11,600 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| KALAMAZOO HUMANE SOCIETY | KALAMAZOO, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| TNR NORTH PLATTE | NORTH PLATTE, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| TOUCHED BY AN ANIMAL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| ST JOSEPH ANIMAL CONTROL (FRIENDSOF THE ANIMAL SHELTER OF SAINTJOSEPH IN | ST JOSEPH, MO | $9,700 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| WICHITA ANIMAL ACTION LEAGUE | WICHITA, KS | $9,700 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| CLEVELAND ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEAGUE | CLEVELAND, OH | $9,700 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF BROWARD COUNTY INC | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $9,600 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| HUMANE ANIMAL RESCUE OF PITTSBURGH | PITTSBURGH, PA | $9,366 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| SPCALA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $8,550 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF OLDHAM COUNTY | LAGRANGE, KY | $8,400 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| YAVAPAI HUMANE SOCIETY | PRESCOTT, AZ | $8,285 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| HUMANE ANIMAL PARTNERS | WILMINGTON, DE | $7,701 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| THE HUMANE SOCIETY FOR TACOMA & PIERCE CO | TACOMA, WA | $7,500 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| BROOKHAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE | BROOKHAVEN, MS | $6,450 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| PAWNEE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY INC | LARNED, KS | $6,000 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| INDYHUMANE ENDOWMENT INC | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $5,900 | 2026 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $34,225 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| OREGON HUMANE SOCIETY | PORTLAND, OR | $18,980 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| TOLEDO AREA HUMANE SOCIETY | MAUMEE, OH | $18,950 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| BANNOCK HUMANE SOCIETY INC | POCATELLO, ID | $18,800 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| KALAMAZOO HUMANE SOCIETY | KALAMAZOO, MI | $16,635 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF CATAWBA COUNTY | HICKORY, NC | $16,465 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| DONA ANA COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY | LAS CRUCES, NM | $16,000 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| HUMANE ANIMAL PARTNERS | WILMINGTON, DE | $15,718 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| MARIN HUMANE SOCIETY | NOVATO, CA | $15,500 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| YAVAPAI HUMANE SOCIETY | PRESCOTT, AZ | $14,700 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| THE ANIMAL FOUNDATION | LAS VEGAS, NV | $13,980 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| GREENHILL HUMANE SOCIETY | EUGENE, OR | $11,600 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SERVICES | E BROOKFIELD, MA | $10,621 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF BOULDER VALLEY | BOULDER, CO | $10,375 | 2025 | TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS |
HUMANE SOCIETY OF BOULDER VALLEY
$21,550TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
FRIENDS OF CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG ANIMAL SERVICES INCORPORATED
$19,418TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SERVICES
$15,288TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
EASY STREET ANIMAL SHELTER
$14,901TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
GREENHILL HUMANE SOCIETY
$13,250TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
CAPITAL AREA HUMANE SOCIETY
$11,850TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
ANIMAL FRIENDS INC
$11,600TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
TNR NORTH PLATTE
$10,000TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
TOUCHED BY AN ANIMAL
$10,000TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
ST JOSEPH ANIMAL CONTROL (FRIENDSOF THE ANIMAL SHELTER OF SAINTJOSEPH IN
$9,700TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
CLEVELAND ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEAGUE
$9,700TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
HUMANE SOCIETY OF OLDHAM COUNTY
$8,400TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
HUMANE ANIMAL PARTNERS
$7,701TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
BROOKHAVEN ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE
$6,450TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
PAWNEE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY INC
$6,000TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
INDYHUMANE ENDOWMENT INC
$5,900TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
BANNOCK HUMANE SOCIETY INC
$18,800TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
HUMANE ANIMAL PARTNERS
$15,718TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
GREENHILL HUMANE SOCIETY
$11,600TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SERVICES
$10,621TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS
HUMANE SOCIETY OF BOULDER VALLEY
$10,375TO REDUCE ADOPTION COSTS