Norfolk’s Animal Care and Adoption Center received a $150,000 grant from the Stanton Foundation to buy a van for their first mobile adoption center.
The NACC is the first shelter in the state to receive that type of grant and is one of seven shelters across the country, said Jessica Guckert, administrative assistance with NACC.
“We’re hoping to use it for different types of outreaches,” she said. “We want to send adoptable animals home directly from the van.”
The NACC decided to apply for the grant after learning about it from the community, Guckert said.
The grant money NACC received was a non-compete, one-time capital grant the Stanton Foundation gives to shelters that meet their eligibility criteria:
- Shelters must be classified as a U.S. municipal open intake or a 501(c)3 facility
- 40 percent or more of their yearly intake must be dogs
- The live release rate for dogs must be below 80 percent
- The organization must have a minimum of 15 full-time employees
- The organization must be able to commit to the program for five years
NACC hopes to buy a “U-Haul style” van with roll-up windows on the sides and space inside for customers to walk in and view the animals, Guckert said.
They are hoping to increase the number of adoptions through the new mobile program, she said.
The Stanton Foundation, created by Frank Stanton, supports areas where he was unable to complete his charitable intentions during his lifetime, according to the Stanton Foundation’s website.
These areas include:
- Canine health and welfare
- International and Nuclear Security
- Informed Citizens
The foundation was not immediately available for comment on the number of shelters that applied for the mobile adoption bus grant.
To learn more about the Stanton Foundation, click here.
To apply for the mobile adoption van grant, click here.
To learn more about the NACC, click here.
