The Petco Foundation and Ellen DeGeneres' petfood company Halo, Purely for Pets are launching a new grant campaign for the holidays to benefit nonprofit animal-welfare organizations in the US.

The Petco Foundation Holiday Wishes Grant Campaign encourages all animal-welfare organizations to apply by submitting their best animal success stories for the chance to win a grant of up to US$100,000. All entries, including stories, photos and videos, must be submitted by November 22.

The grand-prize winner will be announced on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in December. Second- and third-place winners will earn grants of US$50,000 and US$25,000, respectively, and grants from US$5,000 to US$10,000 will go to 10 runner-up organizations.

"Halo and the Petco Foundation are teaming up together. We want to help all of the pet shelters that help animals and do good every year. The Petco Foundation wants to award deserving animal shelters," said talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

"We're thrilled to partner with Ellen and Halo on this exciting campaign to recognize and support the groups and individuals who work tirelessly all year long to care for and find homes for animals in need," said Petco Foundation executive director, Susanne Kogut. "By sharing some of their stories through this campaign, we hope to raise awareness and increase the number of animals spending this holiday season where they belong - in loving homes with the care and support they deserve."