10 Fun and Easy Ways to Raise Money for Dogtoberfest

It's no secret that each year thousands of pets and their people have a paw-fectly fabulous time at Suncoast Animal League's Dogtoberfest and Mutt March fundraisers.

"They keep getting bigger," says Suncoast Animal League Executive Director Rick Chaboudy, about the popular events.

Dogtoberfest, which is held in November, features lots of fun pet-related activities including; the crowning of the King and Queen of Dogtoberfest, a fundraising contest where pooches who raise the most money are honored the titles, Running of the Wieners, Doggie Project Runway, My Pet's Got Talent and the Blessing of the Animals.

This week, the Palm Harbor based non-profit treated supporters to an appetizer party at Fairway Pizza and let them know about fun ways they can raise money for the event. The goal is to get fundraising campaigns started earlier, so there's more time to raise money.

Will you be raising money for Dogtoberfest? Here are 10 unique and easy fundraising ideas-

1. Hold a garage sale and donate a portion of the proceeds to your King or Queen for Dogtoberfest.
2. Host a movie night at your house- rent a movie, prepare some light snacks, invite your friends and charge $10 with proceeds going to your King or Queen page on FirstGiving.
3. Instead of birthday, holiday or festivus gifts this year, ask people to donate o your FirstGiving page and get your dog elected King or Queen.
4. Fundraising is a great family project. Kids can run a lemonade stand and mom and dad can run a grilled hot dog stand.
5. Gather some donated items from businesses and restaurants you frequent and create a gift basket to raffle off at work. Price it at $1 per chance or six chances for $5 with some of the proceeds going to Suncoast Animal League.
6. Have a bake sale. It's really great if you bake some dog-friendly goodies to sell as well. Host the bake sale in the break room at your office.
7. Host a cocktail party or luau at your home and ask for donations toward your King or Queen on FirstGiving.
8. Have a Pampered Chef, Scentsy, or Mary Kay party and ask the representative if the proceeds can be donated to Suncoast Animal League.
9. Host a car wash with the proceeds benefitting Suncoast Animal League.
10. Run a political-type campaign to get your pooch crowned King or Queen of Dogtoberfest. Ask friends, colleagues and relatives to vote for your King or Queen candidate, each vote is only a dollar.

• For more information about Dogtoberfest and Mutt March check out the Suncoast Animal League's website

• 2012 Dogtoberfest Photos: Lotsa Tail Sniffing, Wiener Dog Jokes and a Skateboarding Yorkie

• The Suncoast Animal League is located at 1030 Pennsylvania Avenue, (727) 786-1330

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