Fundraising is an optimal part of running a dog rescue organization. Funds are required to assist with all aspects of care including, but not limited to, veterinary bills, food, treats, collars, leashes, bowls, grooming, flea, tick, and heartworm medication, shampoo, beds, and toys. Running a successful fundraiser does not have to be stressful. Here are some tips on running a smooth fundraiser for your organization:
- Breweries or Wineries
This is a fun and easy way to raise money. Ask the brewery or winery for a portion of each beer, tasting, growler fill, or wine bottle purchased to be donated to your rescue organization. Some breweries and wineries will let you bring dogs to hang out; it is a great way to raise awareness of your organization while sipping on delicious beers or wines. The last fundraiser I ran at a brewery raised over $450 in four hours. We received $2 for each pint purchased during a set time period and had donation cans located throughout the brewery.
- Dine to Donate
Many chain restaurants have a dine to donate program where a percentage of the total food purchased is donated to your organization. You may have to show a flyer or a ticket for the donation to count. Most restaurants have application forms online; creating a no-hassle progress for the organizer. The dine to donate fundraisers may not bring in an exorbitant amount of money, but little work is involved besides handing out flyers.
- Consultant Events
This is the new wave of fundraising! Companies that sell clothing, essential oils, kitchen utensils, and cosmetics on social media, often have fundraising programs on Facebook! Login to the consultants’ event from the comfort of your own home and shop ‘till you drop. A percentage of all items sold will be donated, and the company may match total proceeds. I have worked with two consultants and we have raised over $500 on Facebook.
- Need food?
Many supermarkets will provide food for your fundraising event. Bring in a 501 (c) (3) paper and a letter stating that you are requesting the supermarket to make a food donation. Some stores will offer you a sandwich or cheese platter, while others will provide you with a gift card to select your own items. Make a sign that reads “Help Yourself to (insert food here), Donations Greatly Appreciated & Accepted” and place a donation jar next to the food you have available. This will encourage people to eat, but also remind them to donate to your rescue organization.
- Marketing
Give yourself six to eight weeks to adequately promote your event through flyers, word of mouth, and social media. Ask the venue or restaurant if you can distribute marketing materials such as pens, pencils, magnets, business cards, dog waste bags and dispensers, and other dog related items. If you are doing a virtual fundraiser, ask if you can do a giveaway. It is also important that you have a clipboard ready to obtain e-mail signups for future adoption events and fundraisers. If you set up a table, make sure you have appropriate signage and a donation jar. All volunteers should look uniform; t-shirts with your organization would help you to stand out amongst the crowd.
- Have fun!
The word fun is in fundraiser for a reason. Mingle with your supporters, bring awareness to dog rescue and your organization, hand out promotional materials, and network to obtain potential adopters, foster parents, and volunteers.
Fundraising is key to making sure a constant flow of funds enters the bank account to meet the needs of the dogs in the organization. Assign one or two fundraising coordinators to start planning your next event today!
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. The leash clips around my waist, has a bungee cord with a carbineer that clips to Bailey’s collar or harness. It has a short and large handle so I always have control over her movements. It is also reflective, so we are noticed by pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles on our path.
around my waist. I usually fill one with water, and one with a sports drink. If I go on a short run, I bring a 
which is a water dispenser. I clip it to my waist with a carabiner or I carry it for added resistance. Whatever you do, make sure you have enough water for both you and your dog and that you take plenty of water breaks!
is my go-to product before a run. It is easy to apply the hypoallergenic, nontoxic wax to Bailey’s paws, which gives a nice protective coating to prevent accidents on the trail. You know what they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
I have been using a FitBit since it came on the market and helps keep me accountable regarding exercise. I like the FitBit Charge 2 because it has a relaxation setting where it prompts you to do 2 minutes of breathing exercises. I also like knowing which heart rate range in which I am exercising.
This shows how active she is throughout the day. We try to give her at least 60 minutes of daily exercise. It clips around her collar. When we had a pet sitter, we could see how long she was taking her on walks, and I could look at her stats from work to see if she is destroying my home. I think the Whistle is well worth the investment.
can be used to treat Giardia, Coccidian, and Campylobacter. It doesn’t get rid of round, hook, or tape worm. You administer Kochi Free via dropper. I must be honest, I don’t think Bailey likes the taste. She goes straight for the water bowl after I administer Kochi Free. In conjunction with the probiotics below, Kochi Free has helped her remain Giardia free!
probiotics for Bailey’s reoccurring parasites and GI issues. The probiotics come in little sachets that I rip open and sprinkle on top of kibble or wet food. I have been giving Bailey probiotics for over a year and a half. The added microorganisms have made a huge difference with her GI health.
It is made in the USA from all natural Alaskan salmon. This product provides Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to add shine and softness to Bailey’s coat, and to aide her joint function, immune system and heart health. You pump the oil into kibble or wet food and mix with a spoon. How much you pump into the food varies by weight – directions are on bottle. I have been using this for a few months, and I notice that Bailey sheds less and her coat is much softer. The foster dogs usually come to me malnourished, and the Zesty Paws Salmon Oil helps add good fat to their diet. Zesty Paws Salmon Oil is cost effective for me since I do pump this on to my cat’s dry food as well.
is the product I wholeheartedly recommend. Yes, it is more expensive than other products, but it works the best. I didn’t notice much of a difference from other products, where when she is on the Dasuquin, she seems to move faster and with greater ease.
is cost effective, and I can use this in my cat’s water, too.
that are sourced from Nepal. (They have a fair-trade agreement with the farmers and are naturally sourced.) These yak chews are very hard, and dogs must soften them with their saliva before chewing a piece off. Bailey and my foster dogs will spend HOURS licking and biting little pieces off of the hard chew. I would strongly recommend these being eaten outside or on a surface that can be cleaned. What I love about Himalayan chews is that there is no waste. When a small piece remains, heat it in the microwave and it becomes a yummy yak puff.
. I prefer the braided bully sticks since they are more difficult for the dogs to break apart. These are softer and more pliable than the Himalayan chews, but still a tasty treat to occupy Fido. I would have to say that this is Bailey’s favorite treat.
toys are multi-purpose and a great investment. I sometimes put treats inside (your dog must roll the KONG around to get the treats out), or freeze peanut butter or water for a tasty treat. You can also make mealtime interactive by placing kibble inside the KONG. I appreciate that KONG toys can be easily cleaned and are relatively inexpensive.
, and often show Bailey how it’s done. Take small treats and put them in the jug. Fido’s job is to tug and manipulate the jug to get the treat. Bailey has turned this toy into a chew toy (she tries to bite through the rope), but the foster dogs are motivated to get the treat. It is a great brain teaser and keeps them mentally stimulated.
surpassed my expectations. She absolutely loved chewing the edges and ripping apart the middle section to get to the plastic part inside. (Pictured is the Floss version, I get the 360 Clean version). On the 360 Clean version, there is a treat pouch that you can freeze for teething puppies or add Fido’s favorite treats for added motivation. Besides keeping her and the foster dogs busy, the GUMI Dental Dog Toy helps floss and remove plaque from her teeth. This toy has provided hours of entertainment!
Realm of Vibes 