Shelter Fundraising Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and Halloween

Seasonal celebrations offer shelters a chance to tap into the festive spirit while raising funds, increasing adoptions, and building community support. Whether you’re planning a springtime egg hunt or a spooky Howl-O-Ween bash, these creative ideas can help your shelter shine during holidays that already bring people together.

St. Patrick’s Day Shelter Fundraisers

Auction Off St. Patrick’s Day Baskets

Put the “luck of the Irish” to work for your shelter by auctioning off themed gift baskets. Fill them with festive items like Irish scone ingredients, chocolate, candy, and a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream. Lottery tickets are always a popular addition and add a fun twist. If an auction feels too complex, sell raffle tickets and host the drawing at a St. Patrick’s Day event to keep things simple and engaging.

Host a St. Puppies Day Party

St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect excuse to throw a beer-tasting fundraiser with a canine twist. Partner with local breweries or pubs to offer Irish brews and craft beer samples, and include Irish fare like soda bread and stew. Add live music or entertainment to elevate the experience. The SPCA of Bradley County, TN hosted a successful St. Puppies Day event in a beer garden, complete with tastings, a silent auction, and ticketed entry—all benefiting the shelter.

Easter Shelter Fundraisers

Hold an Easter Egg and Dog Treat Hunt

Combine the joy of an Easter egg hunt with the excitement of a dog treat scavenger hunt. Host the event at your shelter or a local park, where kids search for eggs and dogs sniff out treats. Include a photo booth with the Easter Bunny to create lasting memories and raise funds through donations or entry fees. It’s a family-friendly event that brings together pet lovers of all ages.

Hold Easter Basket Fundraisers

Use donated pet accessories—like toys, collars, and costumes—to create themed Pet Easter Baskets. Fill plastic eggs with treats and reach out to local businesses or schools for traditional basket donations. Sell them via online auction or raffle tickets at a spring event. These baskets make great gifts and help raise money for shelter needs.

Host Photos with the Easter Bunny

Set up a spring-themed photo booth and invite families (and their pets) to pose with the Easter Bunny. Ask for donations in exchange for photos and consider hosting the shoot outside busy stores or partnering with Petco or PetSmart. These events are easy to organize and offer great exposure for your shelter and adoptable pets.

Offer an Adoption Eggstravaganza

Create buzz around Easter weekend by offering a mystery adoption fee promotion. Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch in Florida did this by letting adopters pick an egg from a basket to reveal their fee—ranging from $25 to $50. It’s a playful way to encourage adoptions and make the process feel festive and fun.

Halloween Shelter Fundraisers

Hold a Howl-O-Ween 5K Run/Walk

Get your community moving with a Howl-O-Ween 5K that benefits your shelter. Charge a registration fee and provide sponsor sheets so participants can raise additional funds. Add costume contests for pets and people, plus festive food and drinks to create a full seasonal experience. It’s a great way to combine fitness, fun, and fundraising.

Host a Howl-O-Ween Party

Throw a Halloween bash complete with a pet parade and costume contest. Onslow County Animal Shelter hosted a standout event with prizes for funniest, cutest, scariest, and most original costumes. Serve pup cups, Halloween cookies, and cider, and raise funds through raffles and donations. These events are perfect for showcasing adoptable pets in a playful setting.

Organize a Pumpkin Sale

Partner with a local pumpkin farm or outdoor store to source pumpkins at a discount or as donations. Host a pumpkin painting party with prizes for best designs, and add music and concessions to create a festive atmosphere. Invite local businesses to donate supplies and enjoy the PR boost from supporting your shelter.

Run an Adoptober Fest to Showcase Shelter Dogs

Celebrate Halloween with an Adoptober Fest that puts shelter dogs front and center. Dress up dogs (who enjoy costumes) to highlight their personalities and offer reduced or waived adoption fees. Include face painting, treats, and a raffle to round out the festivities. Local vendors can help sponsor the event and provide giveaways.

Throw a Howl-O-Ween Pawty or Bash

Whether you call it a Pawty or a Bash, this Halloween event is a crowd-pleaser. Include costume parades, raffles, silent auctions, and goodie bags filled with donated treats. Invite friendly shelter dogs to join the parade with experienced volunteers, giving them a chance to shine and meet potential adopters. It’s a lively way to celebrate the season and promote your mission.

Why These Events Matter

Seasonal fundraisers aren’t just about raising money—they’re about creating moments that connect people to your shelter’s mission. When someone laughs at a dog in a Halloween costume or watches their child hunt for eggs alongside a shelter pup, they’re forming emotional bonds that last. These events build trust, visibility, and community goodwill, all while helping pets find their forever homes.

So whether it’s shamrocks, bunnies, or pumpkins, lean into the season and let your shelter be the place where celebration meets compassion.