I submitted the following fundraising ideas to The Haven today.  Please
tell me what you think of them, or any other ideas you may have for a
no-kill animal shelter.

Pam

THE HAVEN:  FUND RAISERS
Submitted by Pam Shirk

1.    Parent/Child Prom:  Basically, the same as a school prom, except that
the parents provide transportation for themselves and their child.  We
provide the dance area, food, decorations, and music.  Tickets could
sell for $30+ per party (depending on how many are in the group) and
could become an annual event.  No block on the age range of the child.

2.    Gift Basket Raffle:  members of The Haven group donate “something
special” for the raffle, like a pottery food bowl, a pet blanket,
special snacks, toys, etc. Separate baskets can be raffled off for cats,
dogs, fish, rodents, lizards, and birds.

3.    Guest Lecture Series:  Various animal “experts” talk about various
aspects of pets, ie. Ownership, medical care, the lighter side of being
owned by a pet, behavior problems, companion animals, pets in history,
and so forth.  Tickets are sold and a snack is offered afterwards, along
with a chance to meet the speaker.

4.    Donate a Speuter:  Just what it says, persons pay to donate a
spay/neuter for those who need one.  This can be part of a campaign to
get a low cost spay/neuter program going in this area, or draw attention
to the need to spay or neuter pets.  Persons who participate could
receive a raffle ticket to the above mentioned raffle idea for each $5
that they donate.

5.    Dining with Animals:  Persons could pay for a dinner with an animal
loving celebrity.  Examples are radio personalities, TV news anchors,
and authors.  I’m sure that various restaurants would be willing to
donate a private room for usage and the publicity (Samios comes to mind)
and we keep the proceeds over the cost of the meal.

6.    Homes of the Furry, Feathery, and Scaley Tour: Members of the group
with unusual living arrangements, ie. a different style doghouse, cat
enclosure, fishpond, and so forth can do a hosting for a tour.  Maybe
even a sort of walking tour like the Christmas gracious homes tour.  Ok,
it’s a little out there, but it’s a thought.

7.    Christmas Tree:  yes another raffle.  Basically we decorate trees for
cats, dogs, birds, and fish, and then raffle them off.  They don’t have
to be big trees, or expensive, just decorated with goodies that would
tempt an indulgent pet owner.  Proceeds to us.

8.    Easter Basket:   Yet again, another raffle.  The same as above, but
with large Easter Baskets.

9.    Valentines Love Your Pet Cards:  Persons buy cards to honor their
beloved pets for the Valentine holidays, or from their pets for their
loved ones.

10.    All Pets are Irish:  People decorate their pets for St Pats and
bring pictures in of them for a photo contest, enter their animal for a
$1/picture. And the winners get a green collar for their animal and a
year’s bragging rights.  Could be co-sponsored with the Observer.

11.    Patriotic Pets Picnic:  Celebrate the 4th of July with us.  Bring a
picnic lunch and a donation and join us for a celebration of music,
games, and fun.  Could find others to help sponsor events as well.  Pet
owners join each other in freedom and peace.

12.    Bark/Meow The Vote:  According to statistics, there are more cats as
pets in America than dogs.  However, more houses have dogs than cats.
How can that be?  Which is better, cats or dogs?  Put your money where
your mouth is.  Donate for your favorite animal and see which is more
popular in Fayetteville.  Bark or Meow the vote.  Can be done in
conjunction with the pets’ picnic, if wished.

13.    House or Enclosure Plans for sale:  Some of us have made our own pet
house or enclosures for our animal.  We can get someone to draw the
plans up (I have an idea, but would have to talk to the guy) and then
sell them to those who are interested in keeping their pet safe and
comfortable.

14.    Decorate a Quilt Square:  For each dollar you donate, you can
decorate a quilt block (square).  The quilts are then sewn together and
raffled for pet beds, lap robes, blankets, or wall hangings.

15.    Toys For Pets:  People donate new and used toys, and pet supplies
(in good condition) for those who are in need.  We put toys and
potential recipients together and the extras can go to the animals at
the shelter, or into a year around pet bank.  (I like splitting them
between the two, but that’s just me)