This study aims to determine the distribution mechanism of productive zakat through the cattle program and analyze its effectiveness in the welfare of mustahik. This study uses descriptive qualitative methods with data collection techniques through documentation, interviews and observations which are analyzed by triangulation, namely data reduction, data presentation and data conclusions. This study found that the distribution mechanism of productive zakat through the cattle program consists of six stages, namely: (1) Determination of recipients of the cattle program, (2) Socialization of the cattle program to prospective program recipients, (3) Construction of cattle pens, (4 ) Handing over of cows from the Al-Falah Social Fund Foundation Malang with zakat mustahik along with the signing of the contract, (5) Supervision during this program by YDSF Malang preachers, and (6) Al-Falah Social Fund Foundation Malang buying cows belonging to mustahik ready to be sacrificed. Furthermore, the researchers also found that the distribution of productive zakat through the poor YDSF cattle program has not been effective in the welfare of mustahik, because there is no correlation between effectiveness indicators and welfare indicators.