Grants for Rescues and Shelters From the Companion Animal Capital Fund: A Conversation with Libby Post of the NYS Animal Protection Federation

Members of the New York State Bar Association Committee on Animals and the Law hosted a podcast to educate the community on grant funding available for animal shelters and rescue organizations.

The New York State Companion Animal Capital Projects Fund is available for non-profit animal organizations to help defray some of the costs of modifying or upgrading their facilities to comply with the new statewide standards for these organizations. The deadline to apply for funding is Dec. 20.

The podcast hosts are Susan Whitken and Nora Lawrence Schmidt, members of the Committee on Animals and the Law. Their guest is Libby Post, executive director of the New York State Animal Protection Federation.  Her organization is the voice of the state’s humane societies, SPCA animal shelters, rescues and animal welfare organizations.

In 2017, Post successfully lobbied to have $5 million added to the New York State budget to create the companion animal capital fund. It is the first and only fund in the nation to assist in capital projects at animal shelters.

Post also lobbied for the Companion Animal Care Standards Act, which imposes requirements on not-for-profit shelters and rescues. On the podcast, they also discuss this law, which takes effect Dec. 15, 2025. Post says that aid for animals is one issue that both parties can support.

“Puppies and kittens are the last bastion of non-partisanship in Albany,” she said.

Listen to the entire episode below.