Charity Fundraising Ideas for Dog Parks

Strut Your Mutt

• A charity dog walk is one way to raise money. Organizers create colorful and eye-catching fliers to post at pet stores, veterinary offices and other pet-friendly places. Social media sites and email blasts are also effective ways to advertise such an event. The idea is for friends, family members and coworkers to sponsor participants. Sponsors pledge a set dollar amount for each mile the participant and her dog walks, such as a $5-a-mile donation for a five-mile walk, or they can simply make a set donation of their choosing. For this type of event, you will need the city to set aside a place where the walk can take place and you may need a permit. Be sure to invite the media so people who cannot attend also know about the cause and have the opportunity to donate.

Pooch Pix

• Host a pet photo shoot at your local pet supply store. Stores may be motivated to offer their facilities because they benefit from the increased foot traffic. Hire professional photographers, or even better, convince them to donate their services. Set up an area where the shoot can take place and allow the photographers to work their magic. These events are particularly successful when done in conjunction with a holiday. For example, people who like to send Christmas cards with photos of their pets with Santa will flock to the event if it is held in October or November. Valentine's Day and Easter themes may also make photo shoots more successful.

Fido Fest

• Organize a festival near the dog park. Invite local dog professionals, such as groomers and trainers, to set up booths and give demonstrations. Allow local shelters to set up booths or tents and bring animals available for adoption. Ask pet photographers to attend and sell photos of pets and donate the proceeds to you. Charge a fee for booth space for businesses such as veterinarians, groomers, dog trainers, bakers of dog biscuits and artisans of dog supplies and costumes. Hold contests such as "Musical Mutts," which is similar to musical chairs. The chairs are set up in a line, and music is played. When the music stops, the handler takes a seat and tells the dog to "sit" or "down" or whatever the command is. The team who does this the fastest wins. Charge a dollar per team to play. Ask your local Red Cross to send a dog CPR trainer who can give demonstrations in animal CPR to teach dog owners how to react when their dog is in danger. Have a table with supplies, such as feathers, sticks and strings, and charge parents a small fee to allow their children to make cat toys to donate to the local shelters, or decorate dog biscuits with yogurt and carob to sell at the event. Ask a face painter to donate services and charge people to have their faces painted to look like their dogs. Ask local authors, artists and businesses to donate items and services that can be raffled off for a dollar a ticket. Advertise this event heavily and be sure to adhere to local permit and insurance ordinances.

Lookalikes

• Hold a lookalike contest. Participants submit photographs of themselves with their dogs, and you charge each owner a fee to enter a photo.

  Photographs should be numbered and posted in a prominent location in a pet supply store. Many pet stores are happy to participate in charity events of this type since it gives them publicity and increased foot traffic. For a small fee, customers can purchase a voting chip when they check out, then write the number of their favorite entry on the chip and drop it in a ballot box. A voting deadline is specified and, after about a month on display, all the votes can be tallied and the winner or winners notified by mail. The store will most likely donate a small prize or gift card for the winner. Alert the media to this contest to encourage their support in getting the word out about the contest and its purpose.

  If there is no pet supply store near you, try enlisting the services of a busy veterinary clinic, grooming facility or doggy day care.