Want to help your local shelter? Money is often the one thing shelters need most. Try organizing one of these creative fundraisers… or add an idea of your own to the list!
- Instead of a car wash, hold a Dog Wash! This is a fun fundraiser for a hot summer day — because everybody’s gonna get wet. Have volunteers help scrub the pups in kiddie pools or large tubs.
- Hold a pet-themed craft and services fair. Invite local crafters to sell their wares. Local dog walkers, pet sitters, groomers, pet photographers, and others can set up displays to drum up business. A vendor fee can be donated to the shelter; you can also ask crafters to donate a portion of their proceeds to the shelter.
- Offer a day of beauty for pups and parents. Dogs can get their front claws painted by volunteers; perhaps staff from a local salon or spa will donate their time to give basic manicures.
- Organize a walk-a-thon for people and pets. Use a local park or a school’s playing fields for your walkers. Pups and people can raise pledges to donate to the shelter. Lally and I will actually be walking in a walk-a-thon for the Monmouth County SPCA in Monmouth county, New Jersey on Saturday with my friend Laurie and her dog Casey.
- Hold a gala awards ceremony to honor shelter staff and supporters. Hand out awards to the volunteer who gave the most time, the staffer who adopted out the most pets, and anything you can think of! Recognize major donors from the last year. This is a great community-building event for your shelter.
- Hold movie nights outside at a local park — there are lots of pet-themed movies you can show! Ask for a donation from each family who comes to watch. You can sell snacks with proceeds going to the shelter.