Write a Grant Proposal: Save Pets Through Pet Food Banks

There was once a time when animal shelters scored a record-high number of pets and abandoned animals. The increase in pet abandonment and shelter drop-offs can be attributed to the economic downturn. Nonetheless, in New Mexico, the growing number of pets being brought to shelters is caused by the incapacities of the owners to care for older animals.

In the article posted in koat.com, there has been an observed growth in the number of aged dogs and cats being left in shelters by their owners. The perceived cost in caring and feeding for older animals has prompted a number of pet owners to relinquish their pets. In studies conducted in 2011, about 8 million pets would end up in shelters and 4 million adoptable pets would be euthanized due to increasing shelter population.

Making a Difference

In order to ensure that pets stay with their respective families and to reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters, various foundations and organizations are starting pet food banks and pantries.

The pantries operate like the normal food pantry- only these establishments are dedicated to our beloved animal companions. They ensure that animal shelters have enough supply for the abandoned pets and animal owners would be able to keep their pets. However, these food oases also need some hand in keeping their place well-stocked with pet food. You can definitely help ensure that no pets are turned away by writing a proposal for pet pantries.

When you write a grant proposal, you have to be certain that you have the pantry's objectives and goals in mind. If there is a pet pantry near you, you can volunteer to create their proposal. Here are some things you need to consider when creating one:

· Check the Foundation's Guidelines

Before you start writing it, you need to make sure that you check your selected funder's guidelines and instructions. A number of applications each year gets rejected because they were not able to follow the specified requirements and instructions of the funder. Thus, be sure that you have a good understanding of the instructions before starting it out.

Note down the guidelines and submission requirements prior to starting the writing process. Also, make it a point that once you complete your write-up, double check the content to ensure that you meet the specifications of the foundation.

· Collect and Compile the Information You Need

Once you have a good understanding of the guidelines, you can proceed with the writing process. Start by gathering the needed materials, documents, and information. This will help you save time looking for files and documents that you would need in submitting your application.

· Avoid Jargons and Idioms

When writing the application, it is important that you make it professional and understandable to your readers. Remember that there are instances wherein the board members who would review your proposal are working from a different field.

Mentioning field-specific jargons would do nothing to improve your chances of getting funded. Worse, you would only confuse and annoy the reviewers. With that in mind, make it a point to use professional yet straightforward words.

It may be a bit difficult to do at first, especially if it is your first time to write a grant proposal. However, with continuous practice and perseverance, it would eventually pay-off, especially when you see the pets with a happy face and a full tummy.

Erin Millano has always been passionate to improve the quality of life of marginalized, low-income individuals, and families. She is a lobbyist, freelance photojournalist, and proposal writer.