The World Animal Day Grant
Only our World Animal Day ambassadors can nominate projects run by animal welfare organisations for sponsorship, setting out why they should receive grant funding.
The World Animal Day Grant supports non-emergency projects by registered, not-for-profit, non-governmental animal welfare organisations.
Each year, the World Animal Day Grant is awarded to one or more winning project(s), carefully chosen from applications made exclusively by our World Animal Day Ambassadors. Thanks to our supporters’ generosity, this grant is funded by Naturewatch Foundation.
Ambassadors can propose their projects, explaining why the initiative deserves funding. Naturewatch Foundation then reviews all nominations and chooses one project that:
- Shows strong potential to make a lasting, positive impact on animal welfare.
- Embodies the spirit of World Animal Day and supports our global mission to raise the status of animals.
While many excellent nominations are received, only one grant is awarded each year.
You can read about some of the previous winning projects below, or follow the link for more details about the World Animal Day Grant.
Explore this section
What is the World Animal Day grant?
Naturewatch Foundation CEO Sarah Carr explains what the World Animal Day grant is, and what sort of projects the grant helps.
Meet the 2026 World Animal Day Grant Winners
Blue Cross India – Chennai
With their share of the World Animal Day grant, Blue Cross India plan to install permanent cement water bowls across Chennai, giving animals living on the streets regular access to clean drinking water during the intense summer heat.
It’s a simple project, yet it has the potential to make a huge difference. Having access to fresh water can help animals stay hydrated and avoid heat stroke during intense heat.
The water stations will also give local communities an easy way to support the animals living in their neighbourhoods, creating a lasting source of relief for animals long after the hottest days have passed. We’re delighted to be supporting Blue Cross India as they make their city a safer and kinder place for animals.
WagWag – Banja Luka, Bosnia & Herzegovina
After using last year’s grant to create a Cat Hotel for stray cats, WagWag are continuing their work to help Banja Luka’s street cats.
This year, they’ll run a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programme, aiming to sterilise around 120–150 stray cats over three months.
By preventing unwanted litters and returning cats to the areas they know, the project will help reduce the number of cats facing life on the streets, while improving the health and wellbeing of those already living there.
We’re delighted to be supporting WagWag again and can’t wait to see what they achieve.
People for Animals – Siliguri, India
People for Animals will use their portion of the grant to support stray animals, wildlife and the local community in Ghaziabad.
With our support, they’ll set up water stations, provide food and vaccinations for stray animals, plant trees and create artificial nests for birds.
The project will also encourage local people to get involved in caring for animals and protecting wildlife, helping to create a kinder, more animal-friendly community.
It’s a brilliant example of how small acts of care can make a big difference.
Four inspiring projects win the 2025 World Animal Day Grant
Rwanda’s First Public World Animal Day: Over 200 Dogs Vaccinated by RAWO
Just a few months after being announced as one of the 2025 World Animal Day grant winners, the Rwanda Animal Welfare Organisation (RAWO) proudly hosted the country’s first-ever public World Animal Day celebration! Held in Musanze District, the event focused on improving the welfare of dogs through humane population management and rabies prevention. Thanks to our World Animal Day grant, RAWO vaccinated over 200 dogs in total, providing each owner with a certificate of protection and guidance for next year’s boosters.
The celebration was attended by national partners including MINAGRI, RAB, RCVD, RDB, and Gorilla Doctors. Dog owners from the Nyange Sector learned about responsible pet care, the importance of vaccination, and how healthy animals contribute to healthy communities. RAWO’s Executive Director, Dr. Jean Claude Masengesho expressed his gratitude to Naturewatch Foundation for supporting this event.
The day received nationwide media coverage, spreading awareness of animal welfare and RAWO’s mission. Building on this success, RAWO plans to expand its vaccination campaigns and introduce animal welfare education in primary schools, empowering the next generation to care for animals and the planet.
Read more about RAWO’s World Animal Day celebration here.
Montego Bay Animal Haven – Jamaica
Their portion of the grant will be used to deliver a one-day clinic for animals in need within a designated inner-city area, providing spay, neutering and wellness services, such as veterinary examinations and vaccinations.
Special Animals and Veterinary Emergency Relief Fund (SAVERS) – Pakistan
The rabies vaccination project proposed by SAVERS, aims to vaccinate between 100-250 stray cats and dogs, and will be led by veterinary students.
WagWag Opens Their Third Cat Hotel in Bosnia & Herzegovina
Just two months after being announced as one of the 2025 World Animal Day grant winners, WagWag from Bosnia & Herzegovina has proudly built their Hotel for Cats! Stray cats are a widespread issue across the country, and with winters often dropping below freezing, many animals face life-threatening conditions. WagWag’s new cat hotel provides safe, insulated shelter for up to 30 cats, offering them food, water, and warmth throughout the harsh winter months.
The hotel is fitted with several cosy spaces, cleaned and maintained by volunteers who ensure every cat is fed and comfortable. Information panels outside the hotel raise awareness about stray cats and encourage adoption. In the first 12 hours after opening, 15 cats visited the hotel, and one lucky orange kitten was adopted almost immediately!
This is WagWag’s third Cat Hotel, and the team hopes to inspire other cities to adopt the same model.
Read more about WagWag’s Cat Hotel project here.
Watch the first 12 hours of activity at WagWag’s new Hotel for Cats in Bosnia. This hotel offers food, shelter and safety to up to 30 cats at a time and will make this coming winter much warmer and safer for its visitors!
