You or your club can accomplish a great deal with little expense. You may decide, however, that you want to raise funds to contribute to an animal protection charity, to finance one of your club’s own activities, or to raise awareness in your community. If so, try one of these fund-raisers:

• Pick a product to sell. The old standards such as gift wrap, spring bulbs, and chocolate bars provide people with products they can use, and a good percentage of the money can be put to your cause. Search the Internet or ask your advisor if he or she knows of any companies that will participate.

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• Host a car wash, dog wash, bottle drive, tag sale or auction.

• If you love dogs, consider starting a dog walking service in your neighborhood. Serve only trusted neighbors and work with a friend or family member.

• Hold a raffle at school or in partnership with a local animal organization.

* Ask a local store or a cosmetics company that does not test on animals to donate prizes.

* Make an animal-lover’s quilt as the centerpiece of the raffle. Ask your friends to decorate each fabric square with an animal protection message. Ask a local crafts store if they’d like to donate fabric.

• Organize a sports event, such as a walk or run for animals, or a student/faculty softball or basketball game. Have athletes find sponsors to give a certain amount of money per mile covered or points scored.

• Hold a “Coins for Critters” or “Pennies for Pets” coin collection. Decorate collection canisters. Visit different classrooms to explain what you’re doing and ask students to donate spare change. You can also place canisters at local businesses to encourage community support.

• Host a Mardi Paw bake sale. Ask friends and family to donate baked treats—for humans and canines. Sell them on Mardi Gras in February. Is February too far away? Consider hosting a “Barkery” – a bakery for dogs!

• Throw a read-a-thon. Ask friends and family to donate money for each animal-related book a student reads. This would work well over summer break.

• Sponsor an art contest with an animal theme. See if a local art gallery in your community will donate space for the event. Ask students and community artists to enter pieces of artwork at a certain dollar amount per entry. Ask the artists if they would be willing to sell their work and donate the money to your cause.

• Go caroling during the holiday season with classmates, friends, family and/or club members. Have one person hold a sign that asks for tips/donations that will go to your cause.

• Hold an event to raise awareness and funds by charging admission. (You may need to ask a teacher or club advisor to find out about special permission you might need for charging admission). Here are some ideas to get you started:

* Throw a costume ball or Howl-o-ween party for the animals.

* With a teacher or club advisor, put together a student-faculty talent show. You might be surprised by talents you didn’t know existed!

* Host a “Puppypalooza” at school or with a local animal group. (Be sure you have proper permission.) Invite classmates and their families to bring their dogs. Award prizes for various categories such as “Best Trick” and “Owner-Dog-Look-A-Like.” You may want to provide families with vegetarian food options and treats for dogs.

* See if an upcoming school dance can be devoted to animals. A local DJ or band may be willing to perform for free or at a discount if they know proceeds from the admission charge will go to help animals.

* Host a vegetarian/vegan supper for students, parents, and faculty.