The Kennel Club Charitable Trust

Charity Number: 327802

Annual Expenditure: £0.5M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £500,000+ (exact figure varies by year)
  • Total Awarded Since 1987: Over £10 million
  • Decision Time: Quarterly meetings (April, June, September, December)
  • Grant Range: £1,000 - £300,000 (varies by program type)
  • Geographic Focus: England and Wales
  • Current Status: Not accepting applications (check website for updates)

Contact Details

Website: http://www.kennelclubcharitabletrust.org

Email: kcct@thekennelclub.org.uk

Phone: 020 7518 6874

Address: KCCT Administrator, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB

Overview

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust (KCCT) is an independent charity established in 1987 (Charity Number: 327802) that has awarded over £10 million in grants to canine-related projects. Since 2017, the Trust has provided over £1.9 million to projects dedicated to improving dog health and welfare, with over £1.5 million supporting clinical research into canine diseases. The Trust operates through grant-making across England and Wales, focusing on three core areas: advancing scientific research into canine diseases and hereditary disorders, promoting support dogs as therapeutic and practical aids to humans, and relieving the suffering of dogs in need through welfare initiatives. The Trust's mission is “to make a real difference to the health of dogs and dog welfare, no matter what their breed or background.”

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Trust operates three main funding streams, each with specific application forms:

  • Scientific Research Grants: Support for clinical research into canine diseases and hereditary disorders (individual grants have reached £269,000 for brachycephalic health research and £300,000 for multi-year programs like Battersea Academy)
  • Support Dogs Applications: Funding for therapeutic and practical assistance dog training programs (approximately £30,000 per trained support dog)
  • Rescue and Welfare Applications: Grants for dog welfare organizations, rescue centers, and emergency relief (typically £1,000 - £10,000, with a 2022 emergency fund offering grants up to £1,000)

Application Method: Rolling basis with quarterly trustee meetings. Applications are assessed at the next available trustee meeting following submission.

Priority Areas

Scientific Research:

  • Canine cancer research (including funding for The Kennel Club Cancer Centre at the Animal Health Trust)
  • Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed health issues
  • Hereditary disorders and genetic conditions
  • Canine disease diagnosis improvements
  • VetCompass™ programme for breed-related conditions
  • Lymphoma, T-cell lymphoma, and other cancers
  • Addison's disease and autoimmune conditions

Support Dogs:

  • Training assistance dogs for people with autism
  • Medical detection dogs for disease recognition
  • Therapeutic support dogs for vulnerable individuals
  • Dogs for Good and similar assistance dog programs

Welfare and Rescue:

  • Rescue center operational costs and emergency veterinary care
  • Transportation vehicles for rescue operations
  • Specialized housing for disabled or elderly dogs
  • Support for homeless people's pets (e.g., StreetVet)
  • Post-lockdown training and rehabilitation
  • Fostering and rehoming assistance

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
  • Pure building costs (generally not supported)
  • Organizations not predominantly concerned with dogs (e.g., general animal sanctuaries)
  • Individuals (grants rarely made)
  • Organizations with political objectives
  • Applications without audited accounts (except organizations under one year old)
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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

Jennifer Millard (Chair) - Land agent and dog trainer with extensive show experience. Serves as Chief Steward and Vice Chairman of Birmingham National Dog Society.

Professor Michael Herrtage - Emeritus Professor of Small Animal Medicine at the University of Cambridge and Life Fellow of St. Edmund's College, Cambridge. Has published over 200 veterinary articles and received multiple veterinary awards.

Bill Lambert - Currently serves as Health, Welfare and Breeder Services Executive at The Kennel Club. Bull Terrier breeder with background in IT and print industry. Member of Show Executive Committee and Judges Committee.

Nick Blayney - Qualified veterinary surgeon (1980) with 35 years of full-time practice experience. Former President of the British Veterinary Association and veterinary adviser at Crufts.

Graham Hill - Construction company owner and dog breeder. President of multiple dog societies and Kennel Club Board member.

Vice President

Sir John Spurling KCVO OBE - Vice President of The Kennel Club Charitable Trust

Leadership Quote: “Dogs bring so much joy to our lives... it is our responsibility to ensure their health and welfare.” - Sir John Spurling KCVO OBE

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Current Status: The KCCT is not accepting new applications at present. Check their website periodically for announcements about future funding opportunities.

When Applications Are Open:

  • Scientific Project Proposals
  • Support Dogs Applications
  • Rescue and Welfare Applications
  • Specific details and costs for funding request
  • Purpose and period when funding is required
  • Registered charity number (where applicable)
  • Latest approved, audited report and accounts (applications normally not assessed without accounts, except for organizations under one year old)
  • For building projects: Three quotes plus supplementary Capital Project Application Form
  • Organizations without audited accounts must consult the administrator before applying
  1. Do NOT send: Professionally produced magazines, annual reports, or newsletters
  • Email: kcct@thekennelclub.org.uk
  • Post: KCCT Administrator, Clarges Street, London W1J 8AB

Decision Timeline

  • Trustee Meetings: Four times yearly (April, June, September, December)
  • Assessment: Applications assessed at next available meeting after submission
  • Notification: Grant recipients listed in Trust accounts and The Kennel Club Journal
  • Typical Timeline: Approximately 1-3 months from submission to decision, depending on meeting schedule

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Trust awarded nearly £130,000 to welfare organizations in 2018 alone, indicating active grant-making when applications are open. During a 2020 emergency relief fund, twenty organizations received funding.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available documentation. Organizations that have previously received funding appear to be eligible for repeat grants (e.g., Refuge4Pets received multiple grants including a recent £5,000 award).

Application Success Factors

Key Requirements for Success

Complete and Accurate Documentation:

  • Applications will not be assessed without audited accounts (unless organization is under one year old)
  • All sections must be completed - incomplete applications are not considered
  • Three quotes required for any building work

Strong Alignment with Core Purposes:

  • Projects must be predominantly focused on dogs (not general animal welfare)
  • Clear connection to one of the three core purposes: scientific research, support dogs, or welfare/rescue
  • Demonstrated impact on canine health and welfare

Specific and Detailed Proposals:

  • Clear articulation of specific costs and detailed budget breakdown
  • Defined purpose and time period for funding
  • Evidence of need and expected outcomes

Examples of Funded Projects

Research:

  • £269,000 for brachycephalic health research
  • £300,000 to Battersea Academy over 6 years (founding funder)
  • £25,000 for Addison's disease research at Royal Veterinary College
  • International Canine Health Awards: approximately £70,000 annually

Welfare and Rescue:

  • £10,000 to StreetVet for veterinary care for homeless people's dogs
  • £5,000 to Refuge4Pets for rescuing thirteen dogs
  • Grants to Hope Rescue for emergency caesarean sections and life-saving surgery
  • Funding for Saving and Rehoming Strays (SRS) for specialized housing pods
  • Support for SHAK for transportation van purchase

Support Dogs:

  • Regular funding to Medical Detection Dogs since 2016
  • Fully funded support for Dogs for Good working with Autism at Kingwood
  • Training support (approximately £30,000 per trained support dog)

Common Terminology

The Trust uses language emphasizing:

  • “Making a real difference” to dog health and welfare
  • “Advancing” canine science and research
  • “Promoting” quality of life through support dogs
  • “Relief of suffering” for dogs in need
  • Focus on dogs of “any breed or background”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Check application status regularly: The Trust is currently not accepting applications but this may change - monitor their website for announcements
  • Ensure dog-focused mission: Your organization must be predominantly concerned with dogs, not general animal welfare
  • Prepare comprehensive financial documentation: Audited accounts are typically non-negotiable; organizations without them should contact the administrator before applying
  • Be specific about costs and timeline: Vague funding requests will not succeed - provide detailed breakdowns and clear time periods
  • Match one of three core purposes: Ensure your project clearly aligns with scientific research, support dogs, or welfare/rescue
  • Consider multi-year partnerships: The Trust has funded substantial long-term projects (e.g., £300,000 over 6 years to Battersea Academy)
  • Quarterly decision cycle: Plan your application timing around the April, June, September, and December trustee meetings for optimal turnaround

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References