Fundraising ideas for animal shelters
With millions of animals entering shelters each year, the financial need to aid these furry friends is substantial—not to mention the costs required to pay the humans who care for them.
Whether you’re raising funds for your own shelter or are an animal lover seeking to contribute to the cause, look no further. These animal shelter fundraising ideas will help you meet your goals and create adoption opportunities.
Earth Day
Charge an entrance fee and make your fundraising event move smoothly with mobile app check-in and easy scan-to-donate payment options.
Baseball hit-a-thon
Themed auction
Asking for items to sell at your auction can feel daunting at first, so use this silent auction donation request guide to help you build relationships and attract amazing donations.
CEO challenge
Trike-a-thon
Parents’ night out
Mini-golf tournament
Photo contest
Raise even more by turning the top photos into a deck of cards or a calendar.
Raffle
Just be sure to check your state laws regarding raffles before you start planning!
Outdoor adventure day
Sponsor a stud
Alumni night
Street painting competition
Ask a local business to donate painting supplies, and then invite the community to vote for the best-painted square by making a donation ($1 = 1 vote) with an easy scan-to-donate QR code.
Peer-to-peer fundraising
Create teams to add some fun competition into the mix—and bring in more donations!
Holiday card campaign
Use Givebutter’s built-in Canva integration to add a little extra cheer to your letters or emails in just a few clicks.
Pet run/walk
Pump-a-thon
You name it
Home decor workshop
Dance-a-thon
Supporters can donate, leave messages of support for the dancers, and purchase tickets to join in the fun all in one place.
Count the jellybeans
Food truck Friday
In exchange for driving more business their way, use a sponsorship proposal to negotiate a percentage of profits for your good cause.
Guest speaker event
Raise funds for your livestream by selling tickets and include upgrades like signed copies of books to bring in even more donations.
Swim-a-thon
Donation drive
Frequently asked questions
How do animal shelters raise money?
Animal shelters raise money through donations, adoption fees, grants, and corporate sponsorships, as well as animal-themed fundraising ideas like pet-friendly bake sales and auctions. Many animal fundraiser ideas also utilize social media to reach a wider audience and solicit more donations.
What are the best pet rescue fundraising ideas?
Some of the best animal rescue fundraiser ideas involve both pet owners and their furry friends. Pet photo shoots, spa days, or competitive dog walks are all pet fundraising ideas that people love. Each supports the fundraising efforts of animal welfare organizations while also sparking joy. Other great animal-related fundraising ideas include selling products like pet calendars and treats.
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 enjoying the company of their own pet at the same time.
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 even additional activities to create more fundraising opportunities. Finally, thank participants and donors for their support and share the success of the event through social media and other channels.
Subscribe to
The Butter Brief
Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox
Givebutter helps you turn ideas into impact
Subscribe to
The Butter Brief
Get fundraising ideas, tips, and free resources right in your inbox