There are tons of great ways to raise money to help animals, and thankfully the majority of them offer a fun way to get involved with the community and local shelters. It is no secret that animal shelters are always in need of outside resources and financial support to help them offer care and housing for the hundreds of animals that end up under their care.

Why an Animal Shelter Fundraiser is a Good Idea

Without animal shelters, many adorable, friendly and loveable pets would be out on the streets, or worse. While simply donating your time or writing a check to your local shelter is a great way to do your part in supporting everything rescue facilities do, animal shelter fundraisers are another option. If you are on the other side and work for an animal shelter, it is helpful to be aware of the many different options you have for encouraging people to donate to your cause.

Below you will find information on some of the most effective common animal shelter fundraisers.

Dog Walks, Costume Parties, Prize Draws and More

If you are looking to raise money for a local animal shelter, rescue group or animal charity, you may find the below ideas helpful. Let us know if we missed out on another great idea, or if you have any suggestions of your own! We would love to hear about new ways to raise awareness about shelter animals and help these facilities receive the acknowledgement and resources they need in order to keep doing what they do.

Host a dog walk – A sponsored pet walk is a great way to raise money for animal shelters, and there are multiple ways to set the event up. You can either have walkers (and their pets!) solicit donations for how far they walk; or participants can pay a set fee to enter and walk their dog; or you can bring homeless pets that need walking.
Host a “Barkery” – For this event, ask friends, family, and community members to donate baked treats for both humans and canines.
Host a “Howl-o-ween” Party – Whenever October rolls around, put on an event that raises awareness and funds by charging admission. A costume bowl would be a great event for that time of the year!
Host a car wash, dog wash, bottle drive, tag sale or auction.
Hold a raffle at a local school or consider contacting area businesses.
Partner with local pet-friendly hotels to raise funds.
Set up sponsorships for specific pets.
Sponsor parties at your shelter for the animals.

There are many wonderful ways to raise money and awareness for animal shelters that are both fun and effective. Just remember to be creative, have fun and keep in mind that loving animals need all the help and resources they can get!

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