Dog-Related Service Ideas

[Amber]

I think I'm going to try to earn my Gold Award from Girl Scouts after the Field Hockey season is over. (I'm so over-scheduled right now) I would really love to do something dog or animal related, but I don't have alot of ideas right now. I would like to do something that I could keep going even after the project was over, but that's not really realistic since I'll be leaving for college soon after I finish.

A little bit about what I would need to do: I have to invest at least 80 hours directly into the project, but I think those can include planning and stuff like that. I've missed the deadline to apply to do a group project, so I'll be on my own (on paper at least..). I was thinking about starting up a dog food bank, and for now just donating it to the local shelters, but I would have to keep that going after I finished, wouldn't I? (Which I have no problem with, my parents just don't want to have to take over when I leave for college..)

Any other ideas? I know just volunteering at adoption events won't cover it..maybe I could organize a big adoption event? IDK..

 

[milos_mommy]

When I was younger, I ran a lot of food drives, which I suppose is different than a food bank. I went door to door in the neighborhood passing out flyers. The flyers gave some shelter info, a date-and-time for pickup, and items we needed the most.

Then, my parents would drive me around and I would collect the bags of food/supplies people left on their porches or front steps. I also put collection bins in some local petstores and things.

We got TONS of food, supplies and cash donations this way.

 

[Amber]

When I was younger, I ran a lot of food drives, which I suppose is different than a food bank. I went door to door in the neighborhood passing out flyers. The flyers gave some shelter info, a date-and-time for pickup, and items we needed the most.

Then, my parents would drive me around and I would collect the bags of food/supplies people left on their porches or front steps. I also put collection bins in some local petstores and things.

We got TONS of food, supplies and cash donations this way.

Hmm kinda like how some boyscouts leave flyers and grocery bags and ask you to put cans in the bags and leave them on your porch? That's a good idea!

 

[poodlesmom]

How about a dog walk for charity event? The obed. school we used to go to did this every year. The local radio stations would advertise it for free. We put up flyers at vets, groomers, pet supply stores, etc. We picked a different rescue organization each year to be the recipient of whatever money we collected. The local town park would let us hold it there. We would get donations from local businesses that we would sell tickets for a chance to win. Most years whatever group we had chosen would also bring items they were able to collect for the raffle table. We sold 50/50 tickets at the event. There was an entry fee. The local sub shop gave us a great deal on party platters of subs and the local grocery store gave us a huge discount on bottled water for the people attending. We were pretty successful and usually got a great turn out and were able to raise quite a bit each year and everyone had a great time.

 

[milos_mommy]

You could also offer to plan out an adoption event for a local shelter...you get permission from some sort of pet store, or even a public park or library to host, see if any local DJs or bands would play the event for charity, ask local businesses to donate gift cards/baskets for raffles, and see if radio stations or the local news will advertise for you, as well as place flyers around.

The rescue can then bring some of the animals for adoption, and get the donations from the raffles and such.

 

[JessLough]

As well as the food drive, again, something you would have to plan for, but get a local pet store involved! Independently owned franchises, or a "mom and pop shop". Ask if you can put a bin in the store for a week or weekend or whatever, with a sign on it saying the rescue/shelter it is for, most needed items, and then people can just drop off a donation of food or treats or toys or what have you *while* they are doing their own shopping. Mention their store on fliers you hand out (free advertising for the store) that donations can also be dropped off there. Ask if you can put a can or something out at their cash for donations, as well Food drives do not have to be continued, it can be a one time thing, for sure!

Also, organizing a walkathon type thing... people get "sponsors"/donations (or pay a fee to do the walk... like $10 is the norm here), get some items for raffle draws donated from businesses, etc.

A fun day. People come out with their dogs, you have silly games and contests planned, get treats and the likes donated by a store as prizes. Can be inside, if you can find a place, if it is colder/rainy season. Ask local DJs and radio personelles -- most are more than glad to come help out and be the announcer for events. If you go with a rescue, they likely have some things they can sell. With either the fun day or the walkathon thing, get some vendors! Charge a vendor fee for a "space", and they can come out, sell their stuff, whatever

I think the main part, is finding a rescue or shelter that you want to help first, and then going from there. What rescues will be willing to do all depends on the rescue.

 

[lizzybeth727]

We get girl and boy scouts (as well as other volunteers) at my organization all the time who want to do a project like this for us. We've found that the best way to go about it would be if the volunteer gives us some idea of what they want to do for us, and we can give them more specifics.

For example, you could go to an organization and tell them you want to do a fundraiser, maybe a fun day in the park. Then they can tell you what they've tried in the past, what is most profitable, etc.

Or tell them you want to do a collection drive. They can help you figure out how to collect the items, how to advertise the drive, what items to ask for in particular, etc.

Or if you want to do a building project, they can let you know what kind of needs they have at their facility.

I guess what I'm saying is that my advice would be to find an organization you want to support first. Then get a vague idea of what you'd like to do as your project; don't make it too specific, though, as the organization may not need or want specifically what you have in mind.

 

[JessLough]

Oh, also wanted to add, if you need ANY help at all, please feel free to PM me I went and organized an event in January (ferret, but still same idea), so I can also help with what worked/what didn't and how I went about organizing and all.