The Button and Rod Co. Cook Foundation concentrates its philanthropy exclusively on animal welfare, primarily funding organizations that rescue and care for vulnerable dogs. Its grants are focused on preventing cruelty and supporting dogs with special needs, with repeated investments in a small number of specialized nonprofits. The foundation appears mission-driven and targeted rather than broadly diversified across causes.
The Button and Rod Cook Foundation’s giving centers on animal welfare, with repeated support for organizations that rescue, protect, and care for dogs and other companion animals. A clear pattern in the record is sustained funding for senior-dog rescue and for nonprofits serving animals with disabilities or special needs. The Grey Muzzle Organization in Raleigh received multiple grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025 for at-risk senior dogs, while Pets With Disabilities in Prince Frederick received several larger grants for preventing abuse, cruelty, and exploitation of animals. The foundation also backs smaller, mission-specific groups that provide lifelong care, hospice-style placement, or veterinary support for animals that are hard to place. Its recent grants include support for rescues, sanctuaries, service-dog programs, rabbit organizations, and wildlife rehabilitation, but the throughline remains direct help for vulnerable animals. The record suggests a focused funder that prefers targeted operating support for specialized nonprofits rather than broad, multi-issue philanthropy.
Senior-dog rescue is one of the foundation’s most consistent themes. It gave $30,000 in 2025 to The Grey Muzzle Organization for at-risk senior dogs, after earlier grants of $25,000 in 2024 and $20,000 in 2023 for the same purpose. The foundation also supports long-term care for dogs that cannot be easily rehomed, including $5,000 in 2024 to Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary for a final home for senior dogs or dogs with a hospice diagnosis, and $5,000 in 2025 to Thulani Senior German Shepherd Rescue for senior or terminally ill German Shepherd dogs. Beyond dogs, the funder has backed rabbit care and education through Hoppy Hearts Sc and Rabbit Sanctuary Inc. It also supports wildlife and waterfowl rehabilitation through Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, and service-dog work through Puppies Behind Bars, Pilots to the Rescue, and Service Dogs for Vets.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $5,000. The recent record includes a few larger awards at $20,000 to $30,000, but most grants cluster in the lower ranges. The pattern also shows repeat giving to the same organizations across multiple years, especially to specialized animal-welfare nonprofits. The foundation is not a donor-advised fund or an entity that funds individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. Its grants are direct charitable support, with a visible preference for continuing relationships over one-time gifts.
$90K
$717K
$70K
$99K
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
About 28% of grants go to recipients in NC.
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Highly concentrated giving: a small number of relatively large, repeat grants to specialized animal-welfare organizations rather than many one-off awards.
Notable grantees: Pets With Disabilities, The Grey Muzzle Organization, Other specialized animal rescue/welfare organizations (regional partners)
Grantmaking is regional and stays within the United States. Maryland receives the highest share of grants by recipient location, while 28% of grants go to recipients in South Carolina, the foundation’s headquarters state. Recent checks reached organizations in Raleigh, Prince Frederick, Asheville, Greenville, Indian Trail, and Columbia-area communities such as Chapin and Simpsonville. The map of giving shows a mix of South Carolina and North Carolina recipients, along with a smaller number in Maryland, Missouri, California, Arizona, and New York.
The foundation funds animal-welfare organizations focused on rescue, care, and protection. Recent grants support senior-dog rescue, animals with disabilities or special needs, cruelty prevention, rabbit rescue and education, wildlife rehabilitation, and service-dog programs.
Its grant sizes are usually small to mid-sized. The 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $5,000, with occasional larger awards reaching $20,000 to $30,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including The Grey Muzzle Organization, Pets With Disabilities, Pets for the Elderly Foundation, Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, Rabbit Sanctuary Inc, Hoppy Hearts Sc, and Bunny Blessings.
Maryland is the top state by grant count. South Carolina, the headquarters state, receives 28% of grants, and the recent record also includes recipients in North Carolina, California, Missouri, Arizona, and New York.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its giving in the record is directed to nonprofit organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE GREY MUZZLE ORGANIZATION | RALEIGH, NC | $30,000 | 2026 | TO RESCUE AT RISK SENIOR DOGS |
| DOG SQUAD | GREER, SC | $25,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FOSTER RECUE DOGS |
| PETS WITH DISABILITIES | PRINCE FREDERICK, MD | $20,000 | 2026 | TO PREVENT ABUSE, CRUELTY, & EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALS |
| CAROLINA WATERFOWL RESCUE | INDIAN TRAIL, NC | $5,000 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE A FACILITY FOR THE RESCUE, TREATMENT, AND RELEASE OR REHOMING OF SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED NATIVE WILDLIFE, OTHER WATERFOWL, AND DUMPED OR SURRENDERED FARM ANIMALS |
| THE ASHER HOUSE | SALEM, OR | $2,500 | 2026 | TO ADVICATE FOR THE WELFARE, PROTECTION, AND DIGNITY OF ANIMALS |
| ANAKIN'S TRAILS ANIMAL SEARCH | GREER, SC | $2,500 | 2026 | TO REUNITE LOST PETS WITH FAMILY AND RESCUE STRAY ANIMALS |
| PETS FOR THE ELDERLY FOUNDATION | SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ | $2,500 | 2026 | 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 |
| HAMPTON'S HOPE SANCTUARY | GREER, SC | $1,000 | 2026 | TO HELP FOSTER ANIMALS AND SENIORS |
| HOPPY HEARTS SC | CHAPIN, SC | $700 | 2026 | TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF DOMESTIC RABBITS AND OUR COMMUNITY BY MEANS OF EDUCATION ABOUT HOUSE RABBITS AND THEIR PROPER CARE, PROVIDING ANIMAL-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES TO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, AND BY RESCUING AND ADOPTING OUT ABANDONED RABBITS |
| BUNNY BLESSINGS | BELMONT, NC | $500 | 2026 | TO FULFILL THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER THROUGH ADORABLE BUNNIES |
| RABBIT SANCTUARY INC | SIMPSONVILLE, SC | $500 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE RESCUED DOMESTICATED RABBITS A HOME FOR LIFE |
| PETS WITH DISABILITIES | PRINCE FREDERICK, MD | $30,000 | 2025 | TO PREVENT ABUSE, CRUELTY, & EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALS |
| THE GREY MUZZLE ORGANIZATION | RALEIGH, NC | $30,000 | 2025 | TO RESCUE AT RISK SENIOR DOGS |
| BROTHER WOLF | ASHEVILLE, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | TO BETTER THE LIVES OF COMPANION ANIMALS AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM. |
| THULANI SENIOR GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE | SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | TO RESCUE AND SAVE SENIOR OR TERMINALLY ILL GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS FROM LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS AND TO FIND HOMES IN WHICH THEY CAN LIVE OUT THEIR NATURAL LIVES IN LOVE AND COMFORT |
| GREENVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY | GREENVILLE, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | TO CARE FOR HOMELESS PETS AND PROVIDE VETERINARY SERVICES. |
| PETS FOR THE ELDERLY FOUNDATION | SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ | $2,500 | 2025 | 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 |
| CAROLINA WATERFOWL RESCUE | INDIAN TRAIL, NC | $2,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE A FACILITY FOR THE RESCUE, TREATMENT, AND RELEASE OR REHOMING OF SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED NATIVE WILDLIFE, OTHER WATERFOWL, AND DUMPED OR SURRENDERED FARM ANIMALS |
| PILOTS TO THE RESCUE | BROOKLYN, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SERVICE DOGS FOR VETERANS AND TEACH VETERANS HOW TO TRAIN SERVICE DOGS |
| HOPPY HEARTS SC | CHAPIN, SC | $1,000 | 2025 | TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF DOMESTIC RABBITS AND OUR COMMUNITY BY MEANS OF EDUCATION ABOUT HOUSE RABBITS AND THEIR PROPER CARE, PROVIDING ANIMAL-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES TO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, AND BY RESCUING AND ADOPTING OUT ABANDONED RABBITS |
| SERVICE DOGS FOR VETS | GREENVILLE, SC | $1,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SERVICE DOGS FOR VETERANS AND TEACH VETERANS HOW TO TRAIN SERVICE DOGS |
| PUPPIES BEHIND BARS | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | TO TRAIN INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS TO RAISE AND TRAIN SERVICE DOGS |
| BUNNY BLESSINGS | BELMONT, NC | $500 | 2025 | TO FULFILL THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER THROUGH ADORABLE BUNNIES |
| RABBIT SANCTUARY INC | SIMPSONVILLE, SC | $500 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE RESCUED DOMESTICATED RABBITS A HOME FOR LIFE |
| THE GREY MUZZLE ORGANIZATION | RALEIGH, NC | $25,000 | 2024 | TO RESCUE AT RISK SENIOR DOGS |
| PETS WITH DISABILITIES | PRINCE FREDERICK, MD | $20,000 | 2024 | TO PREVENT ABUSE, CRUELTY, & EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALS |
| PROJECT PAWZ RESCUE | RICHFIELD, NC | $5,000 | 2024 | TO HELP ANIMALS THAT ARE EITHER FACING EUTHANIZATION OR OTHERWISE CAN'T FIND A LOVING HOME |
| WHISPERING WILLOWS SENIOR DOG SANCTUARY | HERMITAGE, MO | $5,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE A LOVING, FINAL HOME FOR SENIOR DOGS OR DOGS WHO HAVE A HOSPICE DIAGNOSIS |
| THULANI SENIOR GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE | SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CA | $5,000 | 2024 | TO RESCUE AND SAVE SENIOR OR TERMINALLY ILL GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS FROM LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS AND TO FIND HOMES IN WHICH THEY CAN LIVE OUT THEIR NATURAL LIVES IN LOVE AND COMFORT |
| PETS FOR THE ELDERLY FOUNDATION | SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ | $4,000 | 2024 | 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 |
| CAROLINA WATERFOWL RESCUE | INDIAN TRAIL, NC | $1,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE A FACILITY FOR THE RESCUE, TREATMENT, AND RELEASE OR REHOMING OF SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED NATIVE WILDLIFE, OTHER WATERFOWL, AND DUMPED OR SURRENDERED FARM ANIMALS |
| RABBIT SANCTUARY INC | SIMPSONVILLE, SC | $1,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE RESCUED DOMESTICATED RABBITS A HOME FOR LIFE |
| HOPPY HEARTS SC | CHAPIN, SC | $700 | 2024 | TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF DOMESTIC RABBITS AND OUR COMMUNITY BY MEANS OF EDUCATION ABOUT HOUSE RABBITS AND THEIR PROPER CARE, PROVIDING ANIMAL-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES TO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, AND BY RESCUING AND ADOPTING OUT ABANDONED RABBITS |
| BUNNY BLESSINGS | BELMONT, NC | $300 | 2024 | TO FULFILL THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER THROUGH ADORABLE BUNNIES |
| PETS WITH DISABILITIES | PRINCE FREDERICK, MD | $30,000 | 2023 | TO PREVENT ABUSE, CRUELTY, & EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALS |
| THE GREY MUZZLE ORGANIZATION | RALEIGH, NC | $20,000 | 2023 | TO RESCUE AT RISK SENIOR DOGS |
| THE PETS FOR THE ELDERLY FOUNDATION | SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ | $5,000 | 2023 | TO HELP PAY THE FEES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ADOPT A CAT OR DOG |
| RABBIT SANCTUARY INC | SIMPSONVILLE, SC | $1,500 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE RESCUED DOMESTICATED RABBITS A HOME FOR LIFE |
| PAWS 4PEOPLE INC | CASTLE HAYNE, NC | $1,000 | 2023 | FACILITATES OPPORTUNITES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO EXPERIENCE A FULFULLING LIFE BY PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED TRAINING WITH A HIGHLY-QUALIFIED ASSISTANCE DOG |
| PAWS ANIMAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY | LAURENS, SC | $1,000 | 2023 | FOCUSES ON WILDLIFE EDUCATION, RESCUE AND REHABILITATION |
DOG SQUAD
$25,000TO HELP FOSTER RECUE DOGS
PETS WITH DISABILITIES
$20,000TO PREVENT ABUSE, CRUELTY, & EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALS
TO PROVIDE A FACILITY FOR THE RESCUE, TREATMENT, AND RELEASE OR REHOMING OF SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED NATIVE WILDLIFE, OTHER WATERFOWL, AND DUMPED OR SURRENDERED FARM ANIMALS
ANAKIN'S TRAILS ANIMAL SEARCH
$2,500TO REUNITE LOST PETS WITH FAMILY AND RESCUE STRAY ANIMALS
PETS FOR THE ELDERLY FOUNDATION
$2,500TO 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
HAMPTON'S HOPE SANCTUARY
$1,000TO HELP FOSTER ANIMALS AND SENIORS
HOPPY HEARTS SC
$700TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF DOMESTIC RABBITS AND OUR COMMUNITY BY MEANS OF EDUCATION ABOUT HOUSE RABBITS AND THEIR PROPER CARE, PROVIDING ANIMAL-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES TO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, AND BY RESCUING AND ADOPTING OUT ABANDONED RABBITS
BUNNY BLESSINGS
$500TO FULFILL THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER THROUGH ADORABLE BUNNIES
RABBIT SANCTUARY INC
$500TO PROVIDE RESCUED DOMESTICATED RABBITS A HOME FOR LIFE
PETS WITH DISABILITIES
$30,000TO PREVENT ABUSE, CRUELTY, & EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALS
TO BETTER THE LIVES OF COMPANION ANIMALS AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM.
THULANI SENIOR GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE
$5,000TO RESCUE AND SAVE SENIOR OR TERMINALLY ILL GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS FROM LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS AND TO FIND HOMES IN WHICH THEY CAN LIVE OUT THEIR NATURAL LIVES IN LOVE AND COMFORT
GREENVILLE HUMANE SOCIETY
$5,000TO CARE FOR HOMELESS PETS AND PROVIDE VETERINARY SERVICES.
PETS FOR THE ELDERLY FOUNDATION
$2,500TO 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
TO PROVIDE A FACILITY FOR THE RESCUE, TREATMENT, AND RELEASE OR REHOMING OF SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED NATIVE WILDLIFE, OTHER WATERFOWL, AND DUMPED OR SURRENDERED FARM ANIMALS
PILOTS TO THE RESCUE
$1,000TO PROVIDE SERVICE DOGS FOR VETERANS AND TEACH VETERANS HOW TO TRAIN SERVICE DOGS
HOPPY HEARTS SC
$1,000TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF DOMESTIC RABBITS AND OUR COMMUNITY BY MEANS OF EDUCATION ABOUT HOUSE RABBITS AND THEIR PROPER CARE, PROVIDING ANIMAL-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES TO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, AND BY RESCUING AND ADOPTING OUT ABANDONED RABBITS
SERVICE DOGS FOR VETS
$1,000TO PROVIDE SERVICE DOGS FOR VETERANS AND TEACH VETERANS HOW TO TRAIN SERVICE DOGS
TO TRAIN INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS TO RAISE AND TRAIN SERVICE DOGS
BUNNY BLESSINGS
$500TO FULFILL THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER THROUGH ADORABLE BUNNIES
RABBIT SANCTUARY INC
$500TO PROVIDE RESCUED DOMESTICATED RABBITS A HOME FOR LIFE
PETS WITH DISABILITIES
$20,000TO PREVENT ABUSE, CRUELTY, & EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALS
PROJECT PAWZ RESCUE
$5,000TO HELP ANIMALS THAT ARE EITHER FACING EUTHANIZATION OR OTHERWISE CAN'T FIND A LOVING HOME
WHISPERING WILLOWS SENIOR DOG SANCTUARY
$5,000TO PROVIDE A LOVING, FINAL HOME FOR SENIOR DOGS OR DOGS WHO HAVE A HOSPICE DIAGNOSIS
THULANI SENIOR GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE
$5,000TO RESCUE AND SAVE SENIOR OR TERMINALLY ILL GERMAN SHEPHERD DOGS FROM LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS AND TO FIND HOMES IN WHICH THEY CAN LIVE OUT THEIR NATURAL LIVES IN LOVE AND COMFORT
PETS FOR THE ELDERLY FOUNDATION
$4,000TO 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
TO PROVIDE A FACILITY FOR THE RESCUE, TREATMENT, AND RELEASE OR REHOMING OF SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED NATIVE WILDLIFE, OTHER WATERFOWL, AND DUMPED OR SURRENDERED FARM ANIMALS
RABBIT SANCTUARY INC
$1,000TO PROVIDE RESCUED DOMESTICATED RABBITS A HOME FOR LIFE
HOPPY HEARTS SC
$700TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF DOMESTIC RABBITS AND OUR COMMUNITY BY MEANS OF EDUCATION ABOUT HOUSE RABBITS AND THEIR PROPER CARE, PROVIDING ANIMAL-ASSISTED ACTIVITIES TO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES AND SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, AND BY RESCUING AND ADOPTING OUT ABANDONED RABBITS
BUNNY BLESSINGS
$300TO FULFILL THE COMMANDMENT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER THROUGH ADORABLE BUNNIES
PETS WITH DISABILITIES
$30,000TO PREVENT ABUSE, CRUELTY, & EXPLOITATION OF ANIMALS
THE PETS FOR THE ELDERLY FOUNDATION
$5,000TO HELP PAY THE FEES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WHO ADOPT A CAT OR DOG
RABBIT SANCTUARY INC
$1,500TO PROVIDE RESCUED DOMESTICATED RABBITS A HOME FOR LIFE
FACILITATES OPPORTUNITES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO EXPERIENCE A FULFULLING LIFE BY PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED TRAINING WITH A HIGHLY-QUALIFIED ASSISTANCE DOG
PAWS ANIMAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
$1,000FOCUSES ON WILDLIFE EDUCATION, RESCUE AND REHABILITATION