Need Suggestions on Fundraisers for Foster animals

[crazey4catz74 1]

hey guys! I am trying to come up with some good fundraising ideas for my animal rescue group.

I am currently needing to raise money for a Persian that has a cyst right by its eye and needs a dental as well as basic medical.

He is huge and so handsome!!!

I am also trying to help out this little OLD chihuahua that was dropped off at the shelter(our shelter is a very high kill shelter)

She is so sweet and doesnt deserve to die alone at the shelter.

Anyway,,,

So, I was thinking about raffling off either a digital camera or a gift card to wal mart...

Which do yall think would do better?

And of course, anyone that would like to get in on the raffle just let me know....

my email address:crazey4catz74@aol.com

Anyway, let me know your thoughts and if you would like to see pics just let me know.!!!!

Thanks so much!!!

[crazycat 2]

What about a bar-b-que? You could sell hot dogs and a soda for like 2.00. It doesnt have to be at the shelter, it could be some place else.

What about a bar-b-que selling pork chop sandwiches.

I'll keep thinking about this and get back to you.

good luck,

crazycat

[trish5713 2]

raffles are always good. try asking local businesses to donate gift cards or items and ask if you can sell the raffle tickets at their store. you could also try a dog wash, like a car wash only with dogs instead. i've done that and it's fun. good luck!

[minpinmom 2]

There are lots of things you can do - A friend of mine has a non-profit rescue, she has an agreement with one of the LARGE concert arenas in Houston, she guarantees a certain amount of volunteers each concert in return for a donation - like 12,000 a Year. She and her hubby and I think 2 friends go to all the concerts - they take tickets, take people to their seats, things like that. It pretty much supports her organization. Lots of places will give significant donations in return for guaranteed volunteers. (the money is tax deductible for them and they get free workers - what better way to play!

[green 6]

I donate to my city's animal shelter as does my tenant who is another animal fan. The Toronto Humane Society works hard at having a low kill-rate and they seem to be successful at raising money for the care and housing of abandoned and sometimes ailing animals though sadly there are always so very, very many of them.

Their prime directive is to heal the animals who are sick and to find loving homes for all of the animals in their care. They do have volunteers who raise money either by going door to door or by phoning folks. They encourage people to give a small monthly donation on their credit cards instead of a one-time shot; this always works out in their favour with respect to the total amount of the donation.

While they also charge a fee for adoption, they will sometimes drop this charge and they will make sure that the local media ensures that the public is aware of the waived fees. Of course TV will show cute pictures of dogs and cats who need homes, and stories of animals who have been rescued from abusive environments will also be featured. Media attention does help with both fund raising and adoption.

For folks like me who are already contributors they send out a magazine which is carefully designed to make us feel good about donating our money and to encourage us to a) want to give even more and feel that we should insist that our friends donate to this worthy cause.

The fall issue of the magazine had a very moving picture of a cat and a dog behind bars and the slogan: No one should spend the holidays in a shelter. This season, make room in your home and heart for a Toronto Humane Society pet. This is material which is, I think, very effective. Perhaps you could make up posters which are similar to this.

You might also sell T-shirts which are cute and witty enough to wear and yet do carry your message. Perhaps an advert agency might take on this work pro bono as a charitable cause.

If you would like to view our Humane Society's website for the purposes of idea-gathering, here it is. Toronto Humane Society | Welcome

I hope I have given you some useful ideas. I am nuts about animals and all of my pets have been unwanted older cats who have been in need of a good home.

[crazycat 2]

Hey Green,

You really had a lot of good ideas. I just bought a picture frame today that is just plain but on the matting below where the picture would go it says,( to err is human, to purr, is divine.) Something like that would be great on t-shirts or anything. For posters she could say thing like, ( to err is human, to purr is divine,adopt me and save my life.), or ( I'm your purr-fect friend so adopt me and save my life.)

crazy4catz74....I hope you get many more ideas from people. If we lived close I would get involved and help you.

Crazycat

[green 6]

Hey Green,

You really had a lot of good ideas. I just bought a picture frame today that is just plain but on the matting below where the picture would go it says,( to err is human, to purr, is divine.) Something like that would be great on t-shirts or anything. For posters she could say thing like, ( to err is human, to purr is divine,adopt me and save my life.), or ( I'm your purr-fect friend so adopt me and save my life.)

crazy4catz74....I hope you get many more ideas from people. If we lived close I would get involved and help you.

Crazycat

Thanks a bunch, Crazycat. Those are nice words and I am pleased that you found my suggestions useful. I really like the slogans which you have mentioned in your last post.

What about getting local art college and, for that matter, gifted high school students involved in the visual work of raising money for your initiative? I am, you see, thinking that there are many young people who are very, very talented in the visual arts and who are also able to speak to their own peer groups in a way that an old fart like myself, for instance, cannot.

I am also thinking that young people are energetic, idealistic, caring, and would be honoured to have the chance to become involved in your fund raising activities. This is why I am gonna suggest to you that you approach your local high school and art school students in order to propose to them that they devise artwork for posters and T-shirts for your campaign.

I suggest that you present them with the great slogans which you already have. I particularly love "to err is human, to purr divine." :smile: Let the kids goof with these slogans, let them create artwork, and let them get involved.

I see this as a win-win situation. You will get great artwork and fresh ideas for free. The kids will get a chance to play in the adult world, they will feel that they are being respected, and they will feel that they are engaged in something meaningful and creative. They will also mobilize all their friends. Why, you might even get some very nice media coverage out of this, grrl!

Of course, I am just thinking out loud....but I thought you might be interested.

[crazycat 2]

Thankyou Green.... I like you too. :smile:

I hope all these ideas help Crazy4Cats74.

I'm thinking since I don't work anymore.(retired early) I will get involved in my local area and see what I can do for all the sweet little ones that need my help. I have thought about it befor but I was afraid I would get my heart broken.

Crazycat

[green 6]

Yah, I am crazy fer cats, too.

[crazey4catz74 1]

Thank you all so much for all your ideas!

We are going to raffle off a gift card from wal mart for $100.00

I am going to ask our local wal mart to donate the gift card, if they wont, then I am going to try & find someone to sponsor it for us..last resort, I will buy it!

Anyway, we are selling tickets for $1 ea or 6 for $5.00

I am really hoping to do good with this....

And of course if anyone is interested in helping out..just email me: crazey4catz74@aol.com!!!!

Thanks again so much!!!!

[Michee 2]

You could have weekly 50/50 draws. You wouldnt need to purchase stuff, most people prefer the cash anyways.

My "cause" of choice is the Lions Foundation of Canada. They train service dogs for the disabled. They raise funds by selling merchandise with there logo, they have a walkathon, and several times a year they have an open house, they give tours, sell refreshments, and have a silent auction with items donated from the community. At Christmas they do "pet pics with santa".

Good luck with your fund raising !!

[crazycat 2]

What about getting someone really good with a camera to do pet portraits. People love their pets. Find an art studet or someone to do calligraphy on a picture frame/ matting, you could sell those as well.

[TEJAS-RATTLER 0]

My Wife Works With A Rescue Group And Has Done Several Great Events Thru The Years. But One Thing That Works All Year Long Is To Get Curtesy Cards From Your Local Chain Supermarkets. Kroger Etc. When People Use These Cards For Purchases You Receive A Portion Of The Moneys Spent...not A Huge Percentage ,but It Adds Up. And If You Have Several Stores AND LOTS OF PEOLE ,It Works Great All Year-round. And During The Holidays It Really Does Great.

[Daisalana 33]

I belong to a cat forum as well, and someone who works at a no-kill shelter asked for ideas for the same thing.

The rest of the responses talked about using Petsmart/Petco to lay off some of the animals. Also, using Petfinder (I personally search there :smile: ) to list animals that need adopting.

I'm just going to post all the responses she got...

Around here the local shelter has a big yard sale with donated items. Everyone has some junk (treasure is what others call it) they want to get rid of and might be willing to donate for the sale.

well working as a rescue group and so working with mnay shelters here are some options we have used:

teh military has a thing that we families can donate some of our paycheck to a group that is 501. they sign up for it and then they take out so much money form our checks. we give to SNAP(spay and neuter prevention) and we also give to the marine wildlife fund. it is a great thing . we can give back. and teh groups love them. if you want more info on it just send me a private email and I can give you all the info.

also as a group macy's has a great fundrasing two times a year. we sell raffle tickets for $10 a ticket with it they get a chance to win a shopping spree and get so much money off their purchaes when they shop that day. thi syear we made a good chunk of money.

you could sell like teh kids do for school. pizza hut does fundraisers, sees candy, etc....

how about a craft fair? or a book sale? stuff like that?

[oneangelinva 0]

a bake sale or and indoor yard sale i know it is not the time of year but you never know and i also have a question i have been looking on the internet and wonder how do i become a foster parent for an animal i would love to do this