Top Tips for Pet Adoption Events

Putting together a large pet adoption event takes a lot of work, and with so many decisions to be made, the process can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips to help your event go smoothly:

• Get Everything—and Everyone—Ready: Ensure all animals are spay/neutered, microchipped and vaccinated in advance. Have clear signage and foot-traffic flow using stanchions or barriers to avoid crowd confusion. Set up greeters to explain the process when attendees arrive.
  
   
• Make It Simple & Easy: Streamline your adoption process in advance. Prep all adoption packets beforehand with printed medical info and contracts. Have volunteers serve as “adoption concierges” to help match people with pets and guide them through the steps. Multiple checkout stations = less waiting, calmer environment.
  
   
• Get Creative: Themes based on movies, music or holidays bring energy and excitement. Add photo ops, decorations and giveaways to build a fun, festival-like atmosphere. Retail items that match the theme—like rainbow pet gear at a Pride event—can also generate great donations.
  
   
• Lower Prices: Free or low-cost adoptions boost attendance and save more lives. They also attract media attention and make your event more newsworthy. With all the research showing the lifesaving benefits of reduced fee or free adoptions, it's something organizations can't afford to leave off the table. 
  
   
• Give Out Freebies: Handing out fun items like coupons, pet toys or bandanas keeps people happy while they wait—and might lead to helpful sponsorships and community partnerships. Examples of swag include coupons, logo bags, pet bandanas, toys, leashes and coloring books. 
  
   
• Empower (& Support) Your Volunteers: Train volunteers for a variety of roles—from pet matchmakers to setup crews to kid activity leaders. Provide snacks, meals and drinks to keep them going strong during long hours.
  
   
• Promote Everywhere: In addition to traditional media, use grassroots methods: community bulletin boards at cafes, libraries, apartment buildings (with approval), and local schools. The more eyes on the event, the better.
  
   
• Celebrate Every Adoption: Create a public celebration moment—cheers, photos, a shout-out board—as each pet heads to their new home. It boosts morale and spreads positivity.