What Michelson Found Animals Foundation does

Michelson Found Animals Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit foundation established in 2005 by Dr. Gary K. Michelson and Alya Michelson, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and operating as part of the Michelson Philanthropies network. The foundation's stated mission is keeping pets with their families by addressing pet overpopulation, surrender prevention, and inequitable access to veterinary care, primarily through grantmaking and direct community programming rather than technology products. Since its founding, the organization reports helping more than 8 million pets and their families, with over $100 million committed to animal welfare programs in total. Foundational funding comes from the Michelson family; the organization is not publicly traded and does not sell products or services to generate revenue. The foundation's original commercial asset — the free national Found Animals pet microchip registry — was divested to Pethealth Inc. / 24Petwatch in July 2021, refocusing the organization on its current programmatic portfolio.

The organization's current portfolio divides into Strategic Initiatives and Philanthropic Investments. Strategic Initiatives include the Spay and Neuter Initiative, the Better Neighbor Project (delivering weekly pet food pantries, monthly Pet Wellness Days, and spay/neuter clinics across Los Angeles with 100+ community partners), and the Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative (developed with HABRI). Philanthropic Investments include the $75 million Michelson Prize & Grants in Reproductive Biology research program (43 funded projects, $19M+ committed since 2008), an invitation-only Los Angeles Strategic Grants program, the Robert & Erika Brunson Fund for spay/neuter access, and the Leap Venture Studio accelerator, co-founded with Mars Petcare and R/GA, which has supported 57 pet-care startups across nine cohorts in 17 global markets. The foundation reaches its beneficiaries — underserved LA pet owners and animal welfare nonprofits — through a community-led and event-driven go-to-market approach, deploying grants directly and channeling funds through established shelter, rescue, and municipal partners including LA Animal Services.

Revenue mechanics are those of a private foundation: philanthropic donations and grants from Dr. Gary Michelson and Alya Michelson (co-chairs), supplemented by partners such as PetSmart Charities, Greater Good Charities, Mars Petcare, and R/GA. Disclosed expenditures include $19M+ in research grants, $14M+ in surrender-prevention and spay/neuter grants, $10M+ raised through the Saving Pets Challenge, $1.3M in spay/neuter and surrender-prevention grants disbursed in 2024, and a landmark $1M grant to CAMP Clinics in 2025 to open a community clinic and HQHVSN training center. Annual revenue is not publicly disclosed; the organization is governed by California law and uses a foundation-management structure layered under the broader Michelson Philanthropies portfolio.

Name

Michelson Found Animals Foundation

Legal name

The Michelson Found Animals Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://foundanimals.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Michelson Found Animals Foundation is a Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2005 that operates strategic initiatives, grants, and community programs to keep pets with their families through spay/neuter access, pet-inclusive housing advocacy, scientific research funding, and the Leap Venture Studio pet-care accelerator.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Welfare Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ), Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA), Education & Community Outreach (Responsible Pet Ownership) (BPAGAIAK)

Keywords

• Animal welfare nonprofit
• Spay and neuter programs
• Pet inclusive housing
• Philanthropic grantmaking
• Pet care accelerator

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Funding & Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization generates revenue through philanthropic donations and grants from Dr. Gary Michelson and Alya Michelson, as well as other donors and partners. The organization uses these funds to operate programs, make grants to other organizations, and invest in pet welfare initiatives.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Michelson Found Animals Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that operates animal welfare programs and makes philanthropic grants and impact investments to keep pets with their families. The foundation runs strategic initiatives (Spay and Neuter Initiative, Better Neighbor Project, Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative) and philanthropic investments (Michelson Prize & Grants in Reproductive Biology, Strategic Grants, Leap Venture Studio accelerator, Robert & Erika Brunson Fund), serving underserved LA communities, animal welfare nonprofits, scientific researchers, and pet care startups.

Product overview

Michelson Found Animals Foundation operates a portfolio of animal welfare programs and initiatives rather than a single unified product. The organization offers strategic initiatives including the Spay and Neuter Initiative, Better Neighbor Project, and Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative, which work together to address pet overpopulation, support underserved communities, and expand pet-friendly housing. On the philanthropic side, it manages the Michelson Prize & Grants in Reproductive Biology research program, Strategic Grants for Los Angeles organizations, and the Leap Venture Studio accelerator for pet care startups. Additional offerings include the Robert & Erika Brunson Fund, resource centers for pet professionals and pet owners, and the SNI Accelerator Grant Program. The organization previously operated the Found Animals Registry, which was sold to Pethealth in 2021.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Michelson Prize & Grants in Reproductive Biology: A $75M research program to develop a single-dose, nonsurgical sterilant for cats and dogs
• Better Neighbor Project
• Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative
• Leap Venture Studio

Products and services

• Spay and Neuter Initiative (SNI) Strategic initiative supporting spay and neuter efforts across Los Angeles to increase accessibility and efficiency of life-saving programs, identifying gaps in innovation and championing self-sustaining goals for incremental change in spay and neuter outcomes.
• Better Neighbor Project (BNP) Community-driven initiative providing direct and indirect support to pet owners from historically marginalized communities in Los Angeles, offering free pet food, supplies, wellness events, and essential services to help keep pets with their families.
• Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative Initiative developed in partnership with HABRI to build a stronger pet-inclusive rental housing industry through research, resources, partnerships, and actionable tools to increase availability of pet-friendly rental housing.
• Michelson Prize & Grants in Reproductive Biology $75 million research program launched in 2008 to incentivize development of a single-dose, nonsurgical sterilant for cats and dogs. Has committed nearly $20 million in grants to more than 40 projects worldwide.
• Michelson Found Animals Strategic Grants Catalytic grantmaking program supporting innovative projects focused on pet-inclusive housing, access to care, and keeping pets with their families. An invitation-only, Los Angeles-focused initiative.
• Leap Venture Studio Pet care startup accelerator partnership between Michelson Found Animals, Mars Petcare, and R/GA. Provides funding, mentorship, and resources to early-stage companies focused on pet wellness, with cohorts running 12-week hybrid programs (e.g., up to $200,000 in funding for Cohort 10). 57 companies supported across 9 cohorts in 17 global markets.
• Robert & Erika Brunson Fund Named fund accelerating innovative spay and neuter initiatives and increasing access to affordable, high-volume spay and neuter opportunities in Los Angeles, honoring the legacy of animal welfare advocates Robert and Erika Brunson.
• SNI Accelerator Grant Program Accelerator focused on building sustainable spay and neuter clinic infrastructure through seed funding, mentorship, and operational training for organizations expanding high-quality, high-volume spay and neuter services in Los Angeles. Inaugural cohort awarded $50,000 grants each.
• Spay & Neuter Initiatives Resource Center Comprehensive online resource center connecting pet families, animal welfare organizations, and communities with spay and neuter resources and information, including LA-specific resources, TNR programs, and Brunson Fund information.
• Pet Professionals Resources Free downloadable resources for pet professionals including guides on building return-to-home websites, pet loss prevention tips, and best practices for reuniting lost pets with owners.
• Pet Care Resources Online resource center providing pet care information, safety tips, training guides, health resources, nutrition advice, and tools including adoption resources, spay/neuter clinic finder, and microchip clinic finder.
• Pet-Inclusive Housing Toolkit Free, actionable toolkit of volunteer-friendly resources to help animal shelters, rescues, and community groups support pet-owning renters with housing advocacy without requiring policy expertise.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8+ million pets helped since 2005
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, former and minor.

• Michelson Center for Public Policy (MCPP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Founding partner of The Pets and Families Housing Coalition alongside APPA, IPH, Mars, and HABRI to advocate for pet-inclusive housing policies including prohibiting breed/size restrictions, capping pet rents and deposits, and mandating pet policy transparency.
• TAW VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026New strategic partner for Leap Venture Studio's 10th cohort providing expertise in business strategy, brand development, and consumer insights for pet care startups.
• Mars PetcarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of Leap Venture Studio accelerator alongside Michelson Found Animals, providing veterinary hospital networks and resources for pet care startup ecosystem.
• R/GAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Leap Ventures alongside Michelson Found Animals and Mars Petcare to ignite growth across pet care startup ecosystem.
• Greater Good CharitiesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor donor and partner providing pet food and supplies for Better Neighbor Project disaster relief and community distribution programs.
• HABRI (Human Animal Bond Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative to commission research and develop resources for pet-friendly housing industry.
• 24Petwatch / PethealthformerOthersAcquired the Found Animals Registry from Michelson Found Animals in 2021. Now operates North America's largest microchip registry.
• Open Door Veterinary CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurriculum partner for SNI Accelerator Program providing mentorship and training on clinic operations, budgeting, fundraising, and business development.
• Animal BalancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for HQHVSN clinics alongside LA Animal Services, providing spay/neuter support to shelter animals and pets in foster care.
• LA Animal ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity agency partner for spay/neuter clinics and community animal welfare programs across Los Angeles.
• Paws for LifemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for community spay/neuter clinics focusing on owned dogs with 400 procedures provided free of charge.
• CAMP (Community Animal Medicine Project)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee receiving $1 million grant for new community clinic and national training center for veterinarians. Founded in 2007 with MFA support.
• FixNationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly grantee and partner since 2007. First full-time spay/neuter facility in LA with over 250,000 procedures since launch.
• SPAY4LAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMobile clinic founded in 2010 as partnership between Brunsons and MFA. Has spayed/neutered over 100,000 pets.
• Project Street VetmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee providing free veterinary care to pets of unhoused individuals. Works alongside Better Neighbor Project.
• My Dog Is My HomemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrantee focused on pet-inclusive housing and resources for people experiencing homelessness.
• Little Lion FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSNI Accelerator pilot grantee in 2025 focused on kitten rescue and welfare.
• Kitten RescueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSNI Accelerator inaugural cohort grantee. Los Angeles volunteer nonprofit finding homes for unwanted cats since 1997.
• The Spay(ce) ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSNI Accelerator inaugural cohort grantee providing affordable spay/neuter to underserved communities.
• Loving PawsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSNI Accelerator inaugural cohort grantee supporting low-income pet owners in Los Angeles.
• Kitty BungalowminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBNP community partner providing TNR resources in South LA and West Adams area.
• The Paw MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBNP community partner in Los Angeles animal welfare community.
• Better Together FureverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBNP community partner organization.
• HEART LAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBNP community partner in Los Angeles.
• Path Los AngelesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner hosting pet-inclusive shelter open house with My Dog Is My Home.
• Latino Alliance for Animal Care CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBNP community partner organization.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Petco Love (formerly Petco Foundation): The philanthropic arm of Petco, funding animal welfare grants, adoption events, and disaster relief. Comparable as a retail-affiliated pet welfare grantmaker that complements — and competes for partner attention with — MFA's programs.
• PetSmart Charities: The largest funder of animal welfare in the US, awarding hundreds of millions in grants to shelters and rescue organizations. Directly comparable as a grantmaking nonprofit in the pet welfare space and an active funder of CAMP Clinics alongside MFA.
• Maddie's Fund: A family-founded animal welfare foundation that funds no-kill sheltering, community cats, and pet-inclusive housing research. Highly comparable in grantmaking model, founder-driven mission, and overlap with MFA's spay/neuter and housing programs.
• Best Friends Animal Society: A leading no-kill animal welfare organization operating sanctuaries, shelters, and national advocacy. Comparable in mission scope (shelter euthanasia, spay/neuter, adoption) and as a programmatic peer to MFA's no-kill-adjacent grantmaking.
• Pedigree Foundation: A Mars-affiliated foundation funding shelter adoption and pet welfare grants. Comparable as a brand-aligned corporate foundation with similar grantmaking focus and overlap with Mars Petcare's role in MFA's Leap Venture Studio.
• ASPCA: One of the oldest and largest US animal welfare organizations, combining direct shelter operations, advocacy, and grantmaking. Comparable to MFA as a multi-program national animal welfare nonprofit, though significantly larger and revenue-generating.
• Greater Good Charities: A major nonprofit providing pet food, disaster relief, and shelter support. Already a direct partner of MFA for Better Neighbor Project disaster relief, making it both a peer and collaborator in the pet welfare nonprofit ecosystem.
• Doris Day Animal Foundation: A celebrity/founder-led animal welfare foundation funding grants, advocacy, and shelter support. Comparable in founder-driven model, Los Angeles base, and grantmaking nonprofit structure to MFA.
• Humane Society of the United States: National advocacy and direct-care animal welfare organization with broad programmatic scope including pet-inclusive housing and spay/neuter. Comparable to MFA in policy/advocacy emphasis and scale of national programs.

Broad incumbents

• American Pet Products Association (APPA): Industry trade association representing pet product manufacturers. Co-partner with MFA on the Pets and Families Housing Coalition; comparable as an animal-welfare adjacent industry body influencing policy and standards in the same ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/foundanimalsorg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FoundanimalsOrg1
• Facebookfacebook.com/foundanimals
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/found-animals-foundation-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/foundanimals
• TikToktiktok.com/@foundanimals

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments9 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Michelson Found Animals Foundation