December 5th is National Celebrate Shelter Pets Day, a perfect moment for shelters and rescues to highlight the incredible animals in their care. More than just a celebration, it’s an opportunity to raise funds, engage volunteers, and promote adoptions. By combining creativity, community outreach, and hands-on activities, your organization can make this day truly memorable. Here are five practical ways to celebrate Shelter Pets Day, with real-life examples to inspire action.
1. Host a Virtual or Hybrid Adoption Event
With more people online, virtual adoption events allow supporters to connect with pets safely. For example:
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Facebook or Instagram Live “Meet the Pets” Sessions: Showcase 5–10 adoptable animals, sharing their backstories, favorite toys, and personalities. Encourage viewers to donate through links or QR codes displayed on-screen.
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Hybrid Open Houses: Invite a small number of visitors to the shelter while streaming the event online for a wider audience. Local shelters like LA Animal Services have successfully doubled their adoption inquiries using hybrid events.
Pro Tip: Include a “Sponsor a Pet for the Day” option where donors can cover food, medical care, or enrichment for one pet—turning the event into a fundraising opportunity.
2. Launch a Shelter Pets Day Fundraiser
Turn the celebration into a campaign that raises funds year-round:
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Merchandise Sales: Offer calendars, mugs, or T-shirts featuring your pets. For instance, Best Friends Animal Society sells pet calendars each year, with proceeds supporting their programs.
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Online Giving Campaign: Use platforms like GoFundMe, Donorbox, or your website to create a special Shelter Pets Day fund. Promote the campaign through social media with stories of specific pets and how donations will help them.
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Matching Gift Days: Reach out to local businesses or generous donors to match all Shelter Pets Day contributions. This strategy has worked for many smaller rescues to boost donations significantly in just one day.
3. Engage Volunteers and Supporters
Volunteers and supporters can play a major role in celebrating Shelter Pets Day while raising funds. Here’s how:
A. Creative Volunteer Challenges:
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Photo Contests: Encourage people to submit pictures with their adopted shelter pets. Offer small prizes, and ask participants to donate a small fee to enter. Shelters like Austin Pets Alive! have run similar contests that increased engagement and donations.
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Pet Talent Show or Costume Contest: Volunteers can dress shelter pets in themed outfits or showcase their tricks in a virtual or in-person event. Donations or “votes” can contribute to fundraising.
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Storytelling Challenge: Invite supporters to share stories of their adopted pets. Feature winning stories on your social media, website, or newsletter, and link them to donation campaigns.
B. Doobert Forward Program:
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Doobert Forward is an online store where pet parents can shop for pet products, and Doobert pays 5% of their order directly to the animal rescue or shelter of their choice.
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Shoppers visit www.doobert.com, click the Shop button, place their order as usual, and select the organization they want to support at checkout. Donations are sent via PayPal once the order ships.
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Any Doobert-approved organization is immediately eligible, and supporters can search by location or zip code.
Real-Life Application:
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Encourage volunteers, adopters, and followers to share the link with friends, family, and community members.
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Post graphics, email newsletters, and social media messages highlighting that every purchase supports your shelter.
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This creates ongoing support for Shelter Pets Day while involving the wider community.
4. Partner With Local Businesses
Community partnerships can amplify your Shelter Pets Day impact:
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Pet-Friendly Cafes or Restaurants: Organize a “portion of proceeds” day where a percentage of sales goes to your shelter.
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Retail Collaborations: Local pet stores or boutiques can sponsor a donation box or run in-store fundraising drives.
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Corporate Partnerships: Companies can organize volunteer days at the shelter, with employees donating time or funds. For example, North Shore Animal League partners with local companies every December for gift drives and volunteer initiatives.
Pro Tip: Highlight partner logos on social media and newsletters to give them recognition, encouraging recurring support.
5. Educate and Inspire Through Storytelling
Stories create emotional connections and encourage action:
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Highlight Rescue Stories: Share before-and-after photos of pets in your care. Include details of their challenges and triumphs.
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Volunteer Spotlights: Feature a volunteer’s perspective on what Shelter Pets Day means to them. It personalizes your shelter and motivates donors.
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Interactive Infographics or Videos: Show impact metrics like “Number of pets adopted this year” or “Funds raised per month,” paired with compelling visuals.
Real-Life Example: Houston SPCA posts weekly rescue stories with donation links, showing donors exactly how their contributions help. This strategy boosts both awareness and fundraising.
Shelter Pets Day is more than a celebration—it’s a chance to raise funds, connect with your community, and advocate for animals in need. By combining events, storytelling, volunteer engagement, and local partnerships, your organization can make this day meaningful and impactful. Start planning now to ensure that every shelter pet feels celebrated and supported!
