The Caplan Bensley Foundation is establishing Canine Residences in Supporting People (CRiSP) grant program to help vulnerable dogs along with their families.
CBF provides grants to nonprofit rescue organizations for the sole purpose of rehoming and placement of dogs for those owners who are no longer able to care for their pet dog due to physical difficulties or other non-financial hardships.
This mutually beneficial arrangement includes regular visits by the rehomer with the dog owner to preserve the lifelong bond, and provides the pet dog with a permanent loving home rather than being forced to live in an animal shelter or abandoned.
Canine-focused rescue organizations need to implement a rigorous process to identify qualified households who can provide a safe comfortable and loving home as well as regular visitations to the dog owner.
They will facilitate and oversee the interaction between the most appropriate rehomer and the dog owner who cannot care for their pet dog for non-financial reasons.
Rescue facilities will oversee coordination between owners and rehomers who provide the owner’s dogs with a permanent loving home and also provide regular visits to the living owners who wish to continue their lifelong bond -- as well as those preparing for end-of-life and who are looking to establish a legacy memorial.
CBF strives to keep these vulnerable dogs together with their original owners through regular visits, rather than breaking that bond when the family pet dog is abandoned or placed in an animal shelter.
CRiSP grants are distributed directly to each participating rescue establishment based on the number of dogs that are rehomed successfully on an annual basis.
Funds will be used to cover administrative and management costs associated with identifying, selecting and vetting qualified households as rehomers; as well as coordinating the interaction between the dog owners and rehoming providers.
CRiSP grants are available to support rehoming programs that accommodate Living Owners with disabilities who are incapable of caring for their pet dog but still seek to maintain their lifelong bond through regular visitations; and those preparing for end-of-life who are looking to establish a legacy Memorial.
Interested rescue organizations can apply online at www.CaplanBensley.org for this grant by completing and submitting the CRiSP Application.
Rescue facilities will be reminded annually to renew their grant by submitting a CRiSP Year-End Summary listing all rehoming successes for dog owner beneficiaries. This information will be used to determine the grant award for the following year.
Canine Rescue organizations will identify qualified households and facilitate the rehoming of dogs. They will thoroughly screen and vet potential rehomers to ensure their suitability as a provider of a loving, safe, caring home for the owner’s pet dog.
Dog owners looking to benefit can apply to the rescue facility and provide necessary information regarding their incapacitation and financial status. This will be reviewed to establish eligibility based on the submitted financial and medical information.
Rescue facilities will interface directly with both the rehomers and dog owners to align their mutual interests and oversee continued compliance. Visitation, financial and other obligations will be formalized and documented by both the rehomer and dog owner, including disengagement should the situation of either party change.
They will oversee the relationship to ensure that the owner’s desires are met while alive, and after passing away, the fulfillment and compliance of any special owner requests until the pet dog’s demise. This includes coordinating visits, feeding, veterinary care, grooming, exercising, and
end-of-life considerations, etc.
Rescue facilities will maintain relationships with estate attorneys and financial planners as a source of dog owners for the rehomers as well as a potential source of future contributions and endowments from the grateful dog owner.
CBF will provide additional grants through the rescue facility so that rehomers are encouraged to provide community service upon the owner’s demise. This will include offering emotional support visits to patients in hospitals and other medical facilities with the dog’s jacket displaying the owner’s name, to serve as a legacy memorial.