Information

[wazzu94]

Hello cherries,

I know we have alot of pet owners on here and today I went to pick up an auction item I won for local dog rescue.  It was just a bag of old dog related scrapbook/card making items.  I think I was the only one who bid on it. But I'm super excited about it.  This was my first time visiting and it was heart breaking, so I let the gal know that I would love to help out.  This was her first auction and since I've helped on few just this year with the school and my daughter's tennis team.  I don't have alot of experience, but I want to help.  I have a rescue dog named Sammy that won't allow other dogs in our house.  But they had over 50 dogs looking for homes.  

Now to the point of this post - I would love to hear about any dog fundraising you have seen in your area or ideas you might have since we have such a great community here I'd love to know what you have seen or heard about that I might be able to help do here. 

I'm already planning to offer handmade thank you notes for them to send out (or maybe I will send out for them).  Also, going to help onsite too.

Thanks all and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
 

[Breauxlabs]

Thank you for stepping up to help! I ran a Lab rescue for many years and can offer some suggestions tonight when we settle. One quick thing, rescues cannot afford the postage for hand written notes…. We tried in the beginning but the money spent on postage was better used for the dogs. Be back with some ideas that worked for us!

[wazzu94]

Thank you for stepping up to help! I ran a Lab rescue for many years and can offer some suggestions tonight when we settle. One quick thing, rescues cannot afford the postage for hand written notes…. We tried in the beginning but the money spent on postage was better used for the dogs. Be back with some ideas that worked for us!

This is good to know. And thank you for ideas!  I'm not surprised to hear you ran a Lab rescue...that is incredible!!

[beachlover]

I think you could run it like any other fundraiser.  Have a raffle with gifts, not necessarily dog related.  Have an outside event in the spring and bring some of the shelter animals for people to meet, make it a wine and chartuterie event.  Lots of people love those.  Beef and beers are always popular esp with a Chinese auction.  Find a local bar or small restaurant that will allow you to have a few hours where 10% of everyone's orders goes toward the shelter to help them get extra supplies.  We did that one year with our racing team at Texas Roadhouse, it worked great!

[wazzu94]

I think you could run it like any other fundraiser.  Have a raffle with gifts, not necessarily dog related.  Have an outside event in the spring and bring some of the shelter animals for people to meet, make it a wine and chartuterie event.  Lots of people love those.  Beef and beers are always popular esp with a Chinese auction.  Find a local bar or small restaurant that will allow you to have a few hours where 10% of everyone's orders goes toward the shelter to help them get extra supplies.  We did that one year with our racing team at Texas Roadhouse, it worked great!

Love these suggestions and I did have to google Chinese auction as I didn't know what that was.  I do now!   Thanks for the great ideas!!  I think the partnering with a small restaurant is a great idea and to have some of the dogs there.  Seeing the dogs will melt your heart...at least it did for me.  
Thanks so much!!

[joannie]

In Indy there was a dog rescue scrapbook crop every year. Scrappers pay to go to the crop,  They also bring in certain items from a provided list to earn raffle tickets. Like, bring in a bottle of bleach and earn 4 raffle tickets, something like that.  They could also buy raffle tickets at the event. The prizes being raffled were scrapbook related.  

[Breauxlabs]

Most important thing is to find out if they are a 501c3 rescue. That will help with knowing what you can and can’t do.

Do they have a large online presence? Or do they have a local following? If online - then you can do online fundraisers but if local - then concentrate on in-person events. 

Online auctions normally do really well. It’s best to have a wide variety of products - offer shipping (winner pays)…good photos and descriptions are a must.

In person events take a lot of coordination - but can be a good draw. Pet friendly restaurants with patios are usually best. People can mingle, meet the pups, meet the people behind the rescue. For events like this I would make up a couple big gift baskets and sell raffle tickets. 

You can collect donations for them - email every company you can find with a letter requesting a donation of product and their 501c3 paperwork. Keep the letter with you and every restaurant  and store you go into, ask for a donation. Most will give a $25 or $50 gift card. Key is to email everyone you can find. You’ll get a lot no’s but also lots of items. Keep a spreadsheet and add to it as you send emails. I would do 30-40 per night. Pets companies, Artist, hotels, Scrapbook companies, every place you can think of. 

A well designed T-shirt fundraiser does well. You can run them online - just search t-shirt fundraiser. Pretty sure I used bonfire You can set it up to make so much per shirt. 

Pet sponsorships - especially for the long timers in the rescue. Monthly sponsors get a nice letter each month emailed to them describing how their donation helps and how that particular dog is doing. 

Kinda late for a Calendar  - but they also do well. Use pics from the previous year of all dogs - email all adopters and ask if they would like to submit a picture - the more the better - if you put their dog in the calendar, they will buy it. They can have their pets picture on their gotcha day, birthday, or any special day. Pre-sell them and make 1 order. I always ordered extras to have at adoption events and they would always sell as well. 

If you have someone that can sew…. Cute pet blankets were always a good way to raise funds. Take 4 blankets and have a quick online auction. 

All of this really depends on the size of the group and how much involvement they want to have with it. I’ll keep thinking - any questions ask away! 
 

[wazzu94]

In Indy there was a dog rescue scrapbook crop every year. Scrappers pay to go to the crop,  They also bring in certain items from a provided list to earn raffle tickets. Like, bring in a bottle of bleach and earn 4 raffle tickets, something like that.  They could also buy raffle tickets at the event. The prizes being raffled were scrapbook related.  

ohhhh this sounds super fun.  I might have to try to put this together.  I like the idea of having bring items to donate for raffle tickets...so clever and I've never heard of that before.  Putting my favorite hobby together with helping dogs!!  I absolutely love it!!  Thank you for sharing!

[VickiR]

I have a good friend that collects blankets, stuffies and various items for a rescue (also has other animals).  She gets businesses to volunteer by putting out donations boxes for these items plus gently used towels, dog food, treats, toys.  She collects all year long and then makes a trip the second week in December to deliver everything.  WM and other stores clearance the lap type blankets for $2 and she uses FB and other social media to advertise for donations.  Her and her DH rent a U-Haul to deliver because there are so many donations.  This was her donation on December 13, 2024.

[wazzu94]

Most important thing is to find out if they are a 501c3 rescue. That will help with knowing what you can and can’t do.

Do they have a large online presence? Or do they have a local following? If online - then you can do online fundraisers but if local - then concentrate on in-person events. 

Online auctions normally do really well. It’s best to have a wide variety of products - offer shipping (winner pays)…good photos and descriptions are a must.

In person events take a lot of coordination - but can be a good draw. Pet friendly restaurants with patios are usually best. People can mingle, meet the pups, meet the people behind the rescue. For events like this I would make up a couple big gift baskets and sell raffle tickets. 

You can collect donations for them - email every company you can find with a letter requesting a donation of product and their 501c3 paperwork. Keep the letter with you and every restaurant  and store you go into, ask for a donation. Most will give a $25 or $50 gift card. Key is to email everyone you can find. You’ll get a lot no’s but also lots of items. Keep a spreadsheet and add to it as you send emails. I would do 30-40 per night. Pets companies, Artist, hotels, Scrapbook companies, every place you can think of. 

A well designed T-shirt fundraiser does well. You can run them online - just search t-shirt fundraiser. Pretty sure I used bonfire You can set it up to make so much per shirt. 

Pet sponsorships - especially for the long timers in the rescue. Monthly sponsors get a nice letter each month emailed to them describing how their donation helps and how that particular dog is doing. 

Kinda late for a Calendar  - but they also do well. Use pics from the previous year of all dogs - email all adopters and ask if they would like to submit a picture - the more the better - if you put their dog in the calendar, they will buy it. They can have their pets picture on their gotcha day, birthday, or any special day. Pre-sell them and make 1 order. I always ordered extras to have at adoption events and they would always sell as well. 

If you have someone that can sew…. Cute pet blankets were always a good way to raise funds. Take 4 blankets and have a quick online auction. 

All of this really depends on the size of the group and how much involvement they want to have with it. I’ll keep thinking - any questions ask away! 
 

Ok, you really know your stuff!!  Looks like they have a good following and have been around awhile.  From talking to the gal that ran he online auction she just needs help.  They have done Bingo, pictures with Santa.  But I love so many of your ideas the calendar, tshirt, pet sponsorship.  I thought about today it would be cool to partner with an restaurant that would allow adult to host a dog birthday party at their location and a portion of the event could go back to the rescue.  Lots of ideas to decide where to start.  

I will reach out to you if I think of anything else.  I'm so excited.  THANK YOU!!
 

[wazzu94]

I have a good friend that collects blankets, stuffies and various items for a rescue (also has other animals).  She gets businesses to volunteer by putting out donations boxes for these items plus gently used towels, dog food, treats, toys.  She collects all year long and then makes a trip the second week in December to deliver everything.  WM and other stores clearance the lap type blankets for $2 and she uses FB and other social media to advertise for donations.  Her and her DH rent a U-Haul to deliver because there are so many donations.  This was her donation on December 13, 2024.

This is incredible!!   So glad I posted this today!  This is making me so excited for 2025!  I love hearing all these ideas and how others help out.  I think this is a brilliant way to help the rescue!  Thank you!
 

[VALERIE 03/22]

THE ONLY THING I CAN ADD IS IN THE SUMMER HAVE A RUMMAGE SALE THE LOCAL TNR (TRAP AND RELEASE) PROGRAM DOES THIS EVERY YEAR AND THEY ALWAYS DO GREAT....................... VALERIE

[CelesteB]

Lots of good ideas here. Do they already do FB fundraisers? I am the former President of a TNR group and that is really where we get the majority of our donations. We have tried dine to donate, sock fundraiser, recycle old shoes, holiday greenery, etc. Those all really don't earn a lot of money (at least for the number of followers we have - schools that have thousands of students are able to earn a lot more than a small rescue). The two large events where we have made the most money is garage sale (this takes SO much work and you need a place to store things and then hold the sale, plus have people to set up, run, take down) and a scrapbook crop fundraiser I hold every year (I have found a place to hold 25 people - have gotten donations from local businesses and a few SB companies (stamp companies are actually more generous with donations). Our garage sales have raised over $1000 each and my crops usually $1200-1500.

Check out Redemption Rescue, Inc. on FB. A friend does their fundraising and they do a ton of small events at Starbucks, bars, cocktail classes, online auctions, tshirts. I will tell you, though, it is a lot of work.

As far as mailing thank you letters, we receive so few checks with addresses to mail letters to that it's not a problem mailing out thank you's. I have set up a gmail account to email thank you's to donors that donate through FB and paypal (the rescue would need to give you this info they get from their reports although the majority of people donate anonymously and don't provide a name, email or address).

So just a few thoughts from my personal experience. If you have any questions, feel free to message me.

[Breauxlabs]

No matter what type of fundraising event you would like to coordinate- you will need prizes, auction or basket items so make sure and get those emails out! 

[wazzu94]

THE ONLY THING I CAN ADD IS IN THE SUMMER HAVE A RUMMAGE SALE THE LOCAL TNR (TRAP AND RELEASE) PROGRAM DOES THIS EVERY YEAR AND THEY ALWAYS DO GREAT....................... VALERIE

I do think a rummage is a great idea.  Our neighborhood has annual garage event that is really popular.  I could have alot of the items at my house for the event.  I love going to them, so having one makes sense.  

Happy New Year Valerie!!

[wazzu94]

Lots of good ideas here. Do they already do FB fundraisers? I am the former President of a TNR group and that is really where we get the majority of our donations. We have tried dine to donate, sock fundraiser, recycle old shoes, holiday greenery, etc. Those all really don't earn a lot of money (at least for the number of followers we have - schools that have thousands of students are able to earn a lot more than a small rescue). The two large events where we have made the most money is garage sale (this takes SO much work and you need a place to store things and then hold the sale, plus have people to set up, run, take down) and a scrapbook crop fundraiser I hold every year (I have found a place to hold 25 people - have gotten donations from local businesses and a few SB companies (stamp companies are actually more generous with donations). Our garage sales have raised over $1000 each and my crops usually $1200-1500.

Check out Redemption Rescue, Inc. on FB. A friend does their fundraising and they do a ton of small events at Starbucks, bars, cocktail classes, online auctions, tshirts. I will tell you, though, it is a lot of work.

As far as mailing thank you letters, we receive so few checks with addresses to mail letters to that it's not a problem mailing out thank you's. I have set up a gmail account to email thank you's to donors that donate through FB and paypal (the rescue would need to give you this info they get from their reports although the majority of people donate anonymously and don't provide a name, email or address).

So just a few thoughts from my personal experience. If you have any questions, feel free to message me.

I will check out Redemption Rescue and start with a small event for sure.  When I told my husband about this, he was on board immediately which was super fun that we can do some of this together.  I think my daughter would help, but given she is turning 16 in 15 days, i know she will be busy with her life.  So much good information, I'm so glad I posted and am hearing so many great ideas and suggestions.  I'm loving the personal experience too.  

I do really want to organize a crop, but I don't have any local friends that scrapbook or make cards.  But maybe this will be the way I find them.    I may reach out later to ask more questions on how you ran your crops!

Happy New year and thank you!!

[wazzu94]

No matter what type of fundraising event you would like to coordinate- you will need prizes, auction or basket items so make sure and get those emails out! 

This is true!  I will reach out to the rescue for their information and letter and get those going!!  

Happy New Year!!!

[blbabe1234]

This my makes my heart so happy!!! This is one fabulous post!

Suzann, thank you for rescuing Sammy. My Miss Penny Lane is a rescue (straight from the streets) and Jasmine and Shelby were adopted from our local humane society. Their very pregnant momma was roaming the streets and she gave birth there. She had my 2 girls and 6 others. Rescues are hands down the best dogs ever. Their hearts are bigger than ours!

We have a kitty rescue group here called The Cattery and each year, in March or April, they have an online Facebook Fundraiser that does REALLY WELL. You donate ANY $$ you want, and submit a photo of your furbaby. In turn, one of their staff members will draw a picture of your furbaby. They can usually turn it around in 24 hours. They always receive more funds than expected so this is one amazing one.

Our local blood bank will have Blood Drives that, for every blood donation, a certain amount of food will be donated to our local humane society.

We also have PawFest each year in November. It is free to get in, but any donations go to the shelters. They have booths where people sell their crafts (not all pet related) and all proceeds go to the shelters. There's raffles.

They do a Halloween Party and take donations and do raffles. Everyone can dress up!

Best of luck to you!!

[wazzu94]

This my makes my heart so happy!!! This is one fabulous post!

Suzann, thank you for rescuing Sammy. My Miss Penny Lane is a rescue (straight from the streets) and Jasmine and Shelby were adopted from our local humane society. Their very pregnant momma was roaming the streets and she gave birth there. She had my 2 girls and 6 others. Rescues are hands down the best dogs ever. Their hearts are bigger than ours!

We have a kitty rescue group here called The Cattery and each year, in March or April, they have an online Facebook Fundraiser that does REALLY WELL. You donate ANY $$ you want, and submit a photo of your furbaby. In turn, one of their staff members will draw a picture of your furbaby. They can usually turn it around in 24 hours. They always receive more funds than expected so this is one amazing one.

Our local blood bank will have Blood Drives that, for every blood donation, a certain amount of food will be donated to our local humane society.

We also have PawFest each year in November. It is free to get in, but any donations go to the shelters. They have booths where people sell their crafts (not all pet related) and all proceeds go to the shelters. There's raffles.

They do a Halloween Party and take donations and do raffles. Everyone can dress up!

Best of luck to you!!

Oh my gosh!  I love that rescues hearts are bigger than ours!  So true!  I got my daughter pj pants with Sammy's face and name on them for Christmas. It was her favorite gift!  And I love "The Cattery"...so cute and that fb fundraiser sounds really great and not to crazy to coordinate to start off!  One of my daughter's friends is an amazing artist and I might have to hit her up to do something similar!  Pawfest sounds fun too.  For Halloween our street is already involved all month long in Pirates of Pinehurst, but I'm thinking of something like Pirates and pups on parade. Or something.   Now I might have to many ideas. LOL  Thank you for sharing and for your love of dogs!!