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Fundraising ideas for animal shelters
Each year, millions of animals enter shelters in need of care. The funds required to aid these furry friends are substantial, not just for food and supplies but also to support the humans who care for them!
Whether you’re raising funds for your own shelter or are an animal lover seeking to champion a cause you care about, look no further. These animal shelter fundraising ideas will help you reach your goals and create more adoption opportunities.
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Silent auction
Swap your traditional auction for a silent one, where supporters or live audience members can bid any time before the auction ends. With a silent auction, your supporters are able to bid on items online or with their phones via QR code, making it easy and accessible for all.
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Social media challenge
Choose a theme and hashtag, then encourage supporters to post a video or photo, tag others to join in, and donate!
Explore more social media fundraising tips to take your efforts to the next level.
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Virtual fun run
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5k walk/run
Map out your fundraising run route and have supporters donate to participate. Then, use peer-to-peer and team fundraising tools that let supporters create their own donation pages, set goals, and ask friends and family to contribute!
Puppy party
Team up with your local animal shelter to host an event to raise awareness and funds for both the shelter and your organization or campaign. Attendees get bonus puppy snuggles!
At the event, highlight the different mobile giving options your supporters can choose from with live display.
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10,000 steps challenge
Encourage members to set up a fundraising page and accept pledges based on how long they’ll commit to their 10k-steps-a-day habit.
Invite participants to set up a peer-to-peer fundraising page where they can share their personal stories and interact with supporters.
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Petting zoo
Partner with a local farm or petting zoo to bring animals on-site for a day of fun. Charge an entry fee and optional donations for extra activities like pony rides.
Make sure attendees can make quick payments from their phones, using methods like Venmo or Tap to Pay, so they don't have to return to their cars for cash.
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Engraved bricks
Allow supporters to “buy” a brick for your next construction project that will have their name or dedication engraved on it for all to see.
Use custom fields on your donation form to capture essential details for donors’ bricks—and be sure to set a word count limit so they don’t go over!
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Naming rights
Offer supporters the chance to name a bench, tree, sculpture, or pathway in recognition of their gift.
Create custom labels on your donation form for different naming tiers (e.g., $100 = named brick in a sidewalk).
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Text-to-donate
With text-to-donate, raising funds is as easy as sending a text. Display your shortcode at fundraising events, share it on social media, or add it to signs so your supporters give using their mobile devices right on the spot—no matter where they are.
See for yourself how easy it is! Text “DEMO” to 53-555.
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Pet therapy
Invite local animal shelters to bring adoptable dogs and cats to campus during midterms or finals to reduce student stress and raise money for a good cause.
Charge an entry fee and sell inexpensive extras like dog and cat treats. Be sure to offer multiple ways to pay, such as scan-to-donate and Venmo!
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Bring your pet to work day
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Legacy giving
Dog walking
Set up a service where volunteers walk or play with community members' dogs in exchange for a donation. Or, auction off this opportunity to the highest bidder!
Simplify the process for your supporters by using custom labels on your donation forms—for example, $50 for a two-hour walk.
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Pet contest
For National Pet Week, host a pet competition! Ask people to send in photos of their pets to be judged in categories like Funniest Pet or Most Adorable. Charge an entry fee and partner with local businesses to sponsor prizes.
Invite supporters to submit their entries via your supporter feed for an engaging way to send in photos alongside their donations.
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Pet picture day
Ask a photographer in your area to volunteer to take pictures of pets and their owners at a local park. Customize your fundraising event page with time-slotted tickets to make the day run smoothly.
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Pet costume contest
Invite owners to enter their pets in themed costume categories like "cutest" or "most creative." Charge an entry fee and ask attendees to vote for their stylish furry favorite by donating to the pet’s individual fundraising page.
Pet photo calendar
Create a pet photo calendar featuring adorable photos of shelter animals. Sell the calendars online using a donation form or fundraising page, and at local events too!
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Pet yoga
Ask a local yoga teacher to lead a class with adoptable animals—or invite participants bring their pets along for some zen!
Make this fundraising event even better by asking a local yoga studio to be a sponsor.
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Pet spa day
Recruit volunteers to perform various pet grooming services like bathing and nail trimming. Charge a fee for each “treatment” at this fundraising event by offering tiered ticket types for different services and combinations.
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Horseback riding
Charge a fee for donated guided trail rides or lessons with trained instructors. To give participants access to more activities, offer custom ticket types for this memorable fundraising event.
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Pet-friendly bake sale
Choose a location in a high-pet-traffic area, request treat donations from pet supply stores, and get to selling! Offer multiple payment methods, including scan-to-donate and Venmo.
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Year-end fundraiser
Celebrate the end of the year with a big annual fundraiser. Host an event and attract donations and support with a silent auction, peer-to-peer campaign, and more.
Use the year-end giving checklist to make sure you’ve covered every angle!
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Get top features for your animal fundraiser
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Frequently asked questions
How do animal shelters raise money?
Animal shelters raise money through financial gifts, adoption fees, grants, corporate sponsorships, partnerships with local businesses, and animal-themed fundraising ideas like pet-friendly bake sales. Other great fundraisers, such as animal fashion shows and pet care clinics, can drive significant revenue through ticket sales.
Many successful animal fundraiser ideas also utilize donation pages and social media to reach a wider audience and increase giving.
What are the best fundraising ideas for pet rescues?
Some of the best animal rescue fundraiser ideas invite pet owners to get their furry friends involved. Pet photo shoots, spa days, and competitive dog walks are all pet fundraising ideas that people love. These events support the fundraising efforts of animal welfare organizations while also sparking joy. Other great ideas include selling products like pet calendars, treats, or accessories.
How do I organize a charity dog/pet walk?
One of the most popular fundraising ideas for animal rescue organizations is a pet walk. It’s a great way to get your whole community involved in fundraising for animals while they enjoy the company of their own pets.
To organize a walk, start by selecting a date, location, and route. Then, promote the event through social media, email newsletters, and flyers. Set registration fees and create fundraising pages for participants to collect donations. On the day of the walk, offer food, merchandise, and additional activities to create more fundraising opportunities. Finally, thank your participants and donors for their support and share the success of the event across your channels.
How do I get donors emotionally invested in my animals and mission?
The best way to get your supporters emotionally invested (and willing to donate) is to share your animals’ stories. Spotlight individual animals and use photos and impact statistics to demonstrate how your nonprofit improves their lives. It’s hard to top cute puppy or kitten photos, so share these adorable updates through social media and your newsletter to capture your supporters’ attention—and their hearts.
What’s the best way to fundraise for ongoing needs like food, vet care, and shelter upgrades?
Hosting an annual event, securing corporate partnerships, and converting one-time supporters into recurring donors are all effective ways for animal shelters to generate reliable income. Don’t forget to make your fundraising goals visible so your supporters can clearly see how they’re making an impact.
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