Because lives should not depend on time & space
Rescue organisations across the United Kingdom face difficult decisions every day.
Dogs enter local authority pounds, emergency situations arise unexpectedly, kennels reach capacity and rescue spaces fill. In many cases, organisations know exactly how they can help. The challenge is finding the resources needed to create the time and space required to make that help possible.
The Saving Death Row Dogs Grant was established to support rescue organisations when emergency boarding can make a meaningful difference.
Awarded annually, the grant provides £1,000 towards emergency boarding costs for a UK animal welfare organisation. The funding is intended to help create additional opportunities for dogs whose future may depend upon having access to safe, temporary accommodation while longer term arrangements are made.
Emergency boarding is rarely the most visible part of animal welfare work. It does not attract the attention of a rescue operation, a veterinary intervention or a successful adoption story. Yet without it, many opportunities to help dogs would never exist.
The Saving Death Row Dogs Grant recognises the importance of this often overlooked work and supports organisations using emergency boarding to create positive outcomes for dogs in need.
About the Grant
The Saving Death Row Dogs Grant is awarded annually to a UK animal welfare organisation.
Grant Value
£1,000
Purpose
Emergency boarding costs only.
Geographic Scope
United Kingdom.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are welcomed from organisations operating within the United Kingdom, including:
- Registered charities
- Community Interest Companies
- Not For Profits registered with Companies House
What We Fund
The grant funds:
✔ Emergency boarding costs
✔ Temporary kennel accommodation
✔ Short-term boarding arrangements linked to positive welfare outcomes
Applicants must be able to demonstrate how the grant will be used and the impact emergency boarding support will have on their work
What We Do Not Fund
The grant does not fund:
✖ Veterinary treatment
✖ Transport
✖ Salaries
✖ General operating costs
✖ Building projects
✖ Equipment purchases
✖ Long-term kennelling.
Previous Recipients
2025 Recipient
Doris Banham Dog Rescue
The inaugural Saving Death Row Dogs Grant was awarded to Doris Banham Dog Rescue in support of their emergency boarding work.
Applications
Applications open: 21.6.2026
Applications close: 21.08.2026
Decision announced: September
Apply for the Saving Death Row Dogs Grant
The Application Process
To be considered for a grant you must be a not for profit. Applications will be considered from charities, not for profits registered with companies house & CICs.
You must reside in the UK & have physical kennels
You must have a rehabilitation process & behaviourists on your team
You must be able to provide a UK bank account in the name of your organisation for the transfer of the grant.
You will need to complete the form below in full, any omissions will result in failure of your application.
Saving Death Row Dogs Grant
Terms and Conditions
1. About the Grant
The Saving Death Row Dogs Grant is an annual award administered by Dog Desk Animal Action. The grant provides £1,000 towards emergency boarding costs for dogs within the United Kingdom.
The purpose of the grant is to support animal welfare organisations using emergency boarding to create additional opportunities for dogs facing uncertain futures.
2. Eligibility
Applications are open to organisations operating within the United Kingdom.
Eligible applicants include:
- Registered charities
- Community Interest Companies (CICs)
- Constituted non-profit animal welfare organisations
Applicants must:
- Be able to demonstrate a clear animal welfare purpose.
- Have appropriate governance and financial controls in place.
- Be able to receive funds in the organisation’s name.
- Complete the application process in full.
Dog Desk Animal Action reserves the right to request additional information to verify eligibility.
3. Use of Funds
The grant must be used exclusively for emergency boarding costs relating to dogs.
Funding may be used for:
- Emergency kennel accommodation
- Temporary boarding arrangements
- Short-term boarding required to create positive welfare outcomes
Funding may not be used for:
- Veterinary treatment
- Transport costs
- Salaries or staff costs
- Equipment purchases
- Building projects
- General operating expenses
- Long-term kennelling programmes
- Expenditure incurred before the award is made
4. Application Process
Applications must be submitted during the published application period.
Applications should clearly explain:
- The organisation’s work
- The need for emergency boarding support
- How the funding would be used
- The anticipated impact of the grant
Incomplete applications may not be considered.
5. Assessment and Award
Applications will be assessed against a range of factors including:
- Demonstrated need
- Expected welfare impact
- Practicality of delivery
- Value for money
- Ability to demonstrate outcomes
One grant of £1,000 will be awarded each year.
The decision of Dog Desk Animal Action is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
Dog Desk Animal Action reserves the right not to award the grant if no application is considered suitable.
6. Payment
Grant funding will be paid directly to the successful organisation following acceptance of the award.
The successful applicant may be required to provide bank details, governing documents or other information necessary to process payment.
7. Reporting Requirements
The successful organisation will be required to provide a short impact report within an agreed timeframe.
This should include:
Dog Desk Animal Action may publicly announce the successful recipient and publish information relating to the award.
By accepting the grant, recipients agree that their organisation’s name, logo and submitted information may be used in connection with grant announcements, impact reporting and promotional materials relating to the Saving Death Row Dogs Grant.
8. Publicity and Impact Reporting
The Saving Death Row Dogs Grant is intended not only to provide financial support but also to highlight the importance of emergency boarding within animal welfare.
Successful applicants agree to:
- Participate in a grant announcement by Dog Desk Animal Action.
- Provide their organisation’s name, logo and a brief description of their work for publication.
- Provide a short update on how the funding was used within an agreed timeframe.
- Supply reasonable information regarding the outcomes achieved through the grant.
Dog Desk Animal Action may use this information in connection with:
- Grant announcements
- Impact reports
- Website content
- Social media posts
- Annual reports
- Future fundraising and promotional materials relating to the grant
Where appropriate, recipients are encouraged to acknowledge support received through the Saving Death Row Dogs Grant. However, organisations retain full editorial control over their own communications and no specific publicity obligations are imposed beyond those set out in these terms.
Failure to provide reasonable impact information may be taken into account when assessing future applications.
9. Recipient Cooperation
Successful applicants agree to cooperate with reasonable requests for information relating to the funded project.
This may include:
- Confirmation of receipt of funds
- Outcome information
- Boarding night data
- Welfare impact information
- Case studies
- Photographs where appropriate
The purpose of these requests is to enable Dog Desk Animal Action to assess the effectiveness of the grant and demonstrate its impact to supporters and stakeholders.
10. Misuse of Funds
If Dog Desk Animal Action reasonably believes that grant funding has been used for purposes outside the scope of the award, it reserves the right to request further information and, where appropriate, seek repayment of all or part of the grant.
11. Changes to the Grant
Dog Desk Animal Action reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions, alter application dates, suspend the programme or withdraw the grant where circumstances make this necessary.
12. Data Protection
Information submitted as part of the application process will be used solely for the administration of the Saving Death Row Dogs Grant and related communications.
Personal information will be handled in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation.
13. Acceptance
Submission of an application constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
Successful applicants will be deemed to have accepted these terms upon accepting the award.
Saving Death Row Dogs Grant
Dog Desk Animal Action
Supporting Rescue Organisations. Creating Opportunities for Dogs.