OTTAWA, ONTARIO / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 16, 2026 / New Canadian Disaster Relief Grant stream, supported by PEDIGREE Foundation, provides critical funding to animal welfare organizations responding to disasters

Humane Canada has awarded $18,000 in Canadian Disaster Relief Grants to Whistler Animals Galore (WAG), BC SPCA and the Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) in support of their work helping animals and communities affected by this summer’s devastating wildfires.

Launched in 2026 with the support of PEDIGREE Foundation, the Canadian Disaster Relief Grant provides timely financial assistance to eligible animal welfare organizations impacted by or assisting communities affected by natural disasters across Canada. 

The grants help organizations respond to urgent needs for rescued and displaced companion animals, including veterinary care, food, emergency shelter and boarding, transportation, cleanup and rebuilding.

“When disaster strikes, animal welfare organizations are there on the ground helping keep animals safe and supporting the people who care for them,” said Tara Hellewell, Director of National Engagement, Humane Canada. “We are incredibly grateful to WAG, BC SPCA, CDART and every organization, responder and volunteer who stepped up for animals during this summer’s wildfires. With the support of PEDIGREE Foundation, this new granting stream helps ensure organizations have the resources they need to continue that vital work when emergencies occur.”

In parallel, Humane Canada’s National Animal Emergency Response initiative is working to build a more coordinated, animal-inclusive approach to emergency preparedness and response across Canada. With support from Mars, Royal Canin and VCA Canada, Humane Canada is developing a national emergency response plan designed to ensure companion animals are considered from the beginning of disaster planning.

As wildfires and other emergencies increasingly disrupt Canadian communities, gaps in animal-inclusive planning can put animals, their families and responders at risk. Humane Canada’s work includes gathering data to better understand gaps in existing systems, building national response capacity, developing shared rescue protocols and specialized training, strengthening coordination between animal welfare organizations and emergency personnel, and advocating for animals to be included in emergency planning and response frameworks across Canada.

Together, these efforts aim to better equip shelters and responders and help keep families and their animals together when disaster strikes. 

To learn more about the Canadian Disaster Relief Grant and Humane Canada’s National Animal Emergency Response work, visit humanecanada.ca.

The 2026 Canadian Disaster Relief Grant cycle has now been fully awarded.

About Humane Canada

Humane Canada is the federation of SPCAs, humane societies and rescue organizations working to end animal cruelty, improve animal welfare, promote the human-animal bond and build a more humane Canada. Learn more about our programs at humanecanada.ca.

About PEDIGREE Foundation

We believe every dog deserves a loving, forever home. PEDIGREE Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working to help end pet homelessness. Nearly 3 million dogs end up in shelters and rescues every year, and nearly half never find a home. The foundation was established in 2008 by Mars Petcare, maker of PEDIGREE® food for dogs, to help increase dog adoption rates. We've awarded more than 6,400 grants and over $15.3 million to U.S. and Canadian shelters and rescues that help dogs in need and have helped more than one million dogs through grants support. Since launching our Canadian grant program in 2022, we have provided more than $465,000 CAD to local shelters and rescues and Disaster Relief Grants across Canada. At PEDIGREE Foundation, we see a day when all dogs are safe, secure, fed well, cared for, and loved. See how you can help at PedigreeFoundation.org.