20 Creative Fundraising Ideas for Pets and Animal Shelters

Quick Summary:

• Make it meaningful: Whether you’re supporting a shelter, rescue, or family pet in need, every dollar raised helps save lives and find forever homes.
• Get creative: Host unique fundraisers like Yappy Hours, car washes, or even a doggie date auction to engage your community.
• Start small: Simple events — like bake sales, photo days, or donation drives — can make a big impact when done consistently.
• Share the story: Inspire giving by telling the story behind your cause and showing how contributions make a difference.
• Use digital tools: Online sign ups make it easy to collect donations, track volunteers, and promote your event.
• Just make an effort: More than 5.8 million cats and dogs entered shelters or rescues last year — proof that every effort, big or small, truly matters.¹

👉 Launch your online fundraiser now!

1. Launch a Donation Campaign

When you tell your pet’s story and invite others to be part of the journey, amazing things can happen.Share your story, set a goal, and invite your community to give.

You can raise funds for:

• Animal shelters: Support your local shelter’s daily care and housing costs.
• Pet surgeries or vet bills: Help a beloved animal get back on their paws.
• Rescue groups: Fund life-saving efforts for abandoned or injured animals.
• Service animals: Cover the cost of training or adoption for those in need.
• Adoption fees: Help a family bring home a furry friend.

💡 Genius Tip: Use SignUpGenius Donations to collect contributions and share your story directly through your sign up.

2. Apply for Volunteer Grants

If your supporters volunteer regularly, their employers might offer volunteer matching grants. These are programs where companies donate to nonprofits that their employees support.

When a volunteer logs a certain number of hours, their company donates money to your organization. It’s a win-win: volunteers multiply their impact while your organization gains additional funds without extra fundraising work. Encourage your supporters to check with their HR departments about these programs. Even small matches can add up quickly!

3. Host a Recurring Gift Drive

Sustaining an animal shelter takes consistent support. Encourage donors to make recurring monthly gifts to ensure pets receive reliable care and medical treatment.

For this type of campaign, set up giving tiers (for example, $10 feeds one animal for a week, $25 helps cover vaccines). Share real stories about the animals and their ongoing contributions support. These consistent donors help you plan ahead and keep operations running year-round.

4. Organize an In-Kind Donation Drive

Monetary donations are vital, but in-kind gifts can immediately meet practical needs.

Ask supporters to donate specific items like food, blankets, toys, or cleaning supplies. Then, create a sign up where people can claim what they’ll bring, ensuring you get exactly what’s needed and nothing goes to waste.

You can even partner with local pet stores or veterinarians for drop-off spots and extra visibility in the community.

5. Add a Giving Kiosk at Events

A giving kiosk is a great way to make donating easier at events. Devices like DipJar or mobile card readers let guests tap, swipe, or dip to instantly donate with a debit or credit card.

Position your kiosk in high-traffic areas, like the entrance to your event or near a raffle table. You’ll capture those impulse donations from guests who want to help but may not have cash on hand.

6. Host a “Yappy Hour”

Turn happy hour into yappy hour, a pet-friendly social event for a cause! Partner with a local bar, brewery, or café that welcomes pets and host a casual fundraiser.

Charge a small entry fee or suggest a donation, and include raffles, dog-themed prizes, and photo ops with pups. Ask the venue to donate a portion of the night’s sales to your cause. It’s fun, social, and easy to plan with an RSVP sign up to manage attendance.

7. Combine a Dog + Car Wash

Make cleaning fun for both humans and pets! Set up a weekend dog and car wash with two stations — one for cars, one for dogs.

Use your sign up to schedule volunteer shifts and manage supplies. Customers can pay per service or as a bundle (for example, $10 for a car, $5 for a dog, or $12 for both). End the day with satisfied supporters, shiny cars, and fresh-smelling pups!

8. Plan a Walk-and-Paw-a-Thon

Turn a classic walkathon into a four-legged community event. Choose a safe, pet-friendly route and encourage participants to bring their leashed dogs.

You can charge a small registration fee and sell t-shirts, water bottles, or leashes as add-ons. Use SignUpGenius to manage route volunteers, track registrations, and share important updates before the event.

9. Hold a Pet Picture Day

Few things draw a crowd faster than adorable pet photos! Invite a local photographer to volunteer or donate their time, then set up a mini studio with themed backdrops and props.

Use a sign up to book time slots and collect payments in advance. Offer digital photos, printed packages, or even pet-branded merchandise like mugs and magnets. Participants walk away with keepsakes, and your organization earns much-needed funds.

10. Throw a Pet Party

Host a fun event where pets and their humans can celebrate together! A pet party can be as casual as a community park gathering or as formal as a “black-tie collar” gala.

Include contests, photo booths, and pet-friendly snacks, and don’t forget donation stations. These events are perfect for connecting with new supporters and growing your volunteer base.

11. Partner with a Coffee Shop

If there’s one thing that pairs perfectly with puppies, it’s coffee. Team up with a local café for a “Pups & Cups” fundraiser where a portion of the day’s profits benefits your cause.

Promote it on social media and encourage guests to bring their furry friends. Set up a donation jar, share flyers about your mission, and snap some photos for your next campaign.

12. Bake for a Cause at a “Barkery”

Who doesn’t love a good bake sale — especially when it’s for dogs? Whip up homemade, pet-safe treats and sell them at parks, farmers markets, or online.

Include fun packaging and ingredient lists and offer a variety of flavors to attract more buyers. With a sign up, supporters can pre-order treats and choose a convenient pickup time.

13. Offer Pet-Sitting or Dog-Walking Services

If you love animals, turn that passion into a fundraiser! Offer pet-sitting or dog-walking services for friends, family, or neighbors in exchange for donations.

You can set rates based on the type of pet or duration of care and explain that proceeds support your animal's cause. Use a sign up to manage appointments, availability, and payments.

14. Host a Howl-O-Ween Party

There’s nothing cuter than pets in costume. Plan a Halloween-themed event where people can dress up their pets and participate in contests for prizes.

Charge a small entry fee, decorate your space with spooky flair, and include activities like a “trick for a treat” challenge. Use a sign up to manage RSVPs and volunteer roles so everything runs smoothly.

15. Organize a Pet Talent Show

Every pet has a hidden talent. From balancing treats on their nose to showing off perfectly timed spins, animals can surprise you with their intelligence. Hosting a talent show is a surefire way to bring the community together for fun and fundraising!

Invite pet owners to sign up their animals to perform, then sell tickets to spectators. Offer small prizes for winners and share clips on social media to keep the momentum going. A sign up can help you organize contestants, judges, and volunteers for a seamless event.

16. Plan a Charity Auction or Raffle

Auctions and raffles are tried-and-true fundraising classics. Ask local businesses for donations such as pet baskets, spa days, or restaurant gift cards.

Sell tickets online through SignUpGenius Tickets, and make bidding fun with live updates during your event. Adding themed prizes (like “Dog Mom Starter Pack” or “Ultimate Cat Care Kit”) adds a creative touch that donors love.

17. Host a Community Game Night

Game nights are an easy way to mix fun and fundraising. Invite families to play board games, trivia, or bingo, and charge a small participation fee.

Offer concessions or snacks and include a round of pet-themed trivia to tie back to your cause. You can even sell raffle tickets during the event to raise additional funds.

18. Create Pet Calendars

Put your animals in the spotlight! Collect adorable photos of your organization’s pets or community submissions and create a custom calendar to sell.

Include inspirational quotes, animal facts, or adoption stories for each month. Pre-orders can be collected through a sign up, and calendars make great gifts during the holidays.

19. Sell Custom T-Shirts or Dog Tags

Everyone loves merch that supports a cause. Design t-shirts, hats, or custom dog tags that feature your logo or a catchy message like “Adopt. Don’t Shop.”

Offer tiered donations (for example, $25 for a shirt or $40 for a shirt + tag combo). It’s a great way to build awareness and give donors something tangible to remember your mission.

20. Host a “Dog Days of Summer” Barbecue

Nothing says community quite like a summer barbecue! Invite your supporters (and their pups) for an outdoor day of good food and great company.

Charge a small entry fee or collect donations at the event. Use a sign up to coordinate dishes, volunteers, and games like “best dressed dog” or “cutest trick.” With the right promotion, it can become an annual tradition.

Bonus Ideas

If you want to keep the fundraising momentum going, consider:

• Peer-to-Peer Fundraising – Empower supporters to launch their own mini-campaigns.
• Donation Matching – Partner with local businesses to double every contribution.
• Seasonal Events – Like a “Santa Paws” photo booth or spring pet parade.
• Recurring Giving Campaigns – Set up monthly contributions to sustain your mission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the easiest way to get started?
A: Start small. A one-day event like a pet photo shoot or car wash is a great first step. Use a sign up to manage participation and collect donations easily.

Q: How do I make my fundraiser stand out?
A: Tell a story! Highlight how each donation helps a real animal and share before-and-after photos to create an emotional connection.

Q: What’s the best way to thank donors?
A: A quick thank-you email or personalized photo of the pets they helped goes a long way. Recognizing your supporters keeps them coming back for future fundraisers.

Q: Can individuals raise money, or does it have to be a nonprofit?
A: Anyone can make a difference! Whether you’re helping a friend cover vet bills or supporting a local rescue, simple online tools make fundraising accessible for everyone.

Q: How can SignUpGenius help?
A: SignUpGenius streamlines every step of your fundraiser from volunteer coordination to collecting donations and selling tickets.

🐾 Ready to raise money for your four-legged friends?

¹https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/explore-the-data/statistics-2024/