Dog Gifts for a Fundraiser

Dog agility training items work well as top-tier auction items or raffle prizes.

Pet owners spent more than $45 billion in 2009 to purchase toys, food, veterinary services, kennel boarding, grooming, vitamins and treats, according to the American Pet Product Association. They purchased a significant portion of that total for their 77.5 million dogs. Fundraisers that include gifts for dogs as raffle prizes, auction items or donation premiums will generate more income than those which fail to tie into this willingness to spend. Make dog gift values commensurate with donation values for best results.

Big-Ticket Items

Outdoor dog run kits, invisible fence supplies, one-week or more kennel stays, one-year supplies of pet food, grooming services or supplies, flea and tick protection and agility training course obstacles will generate higher sales of raffle tickets and higher final prices for auction items. Solicit donations of these items in exchange for advertising in promotional fliers, press releases and publicity spots. Make a point of publicly thanking donors of big-ticket items through newsletters, newspaper ads and public service announcements on local public-access television stations.

Moderate-Cost Gifts

One-year subscriptions to dog-related magazines such as "Dog Fancy," "Gun Dog," "Natural Dog" and "Dog World" make attractive second-tier raffle prizes and donation premiums. Include dog beds, solar-powered dog fountains and themed holiday dog gift baskets in your second tier as well. Dog owners took their dogs on car trips an average of five times per year in 2009, according to the American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey, so travel crates and safety harnesses are also an attractive choice.

Affordable Gifts

Special-formula dog food in 20-lb or larger bags, leashes and harnesses, pet food dispensers and watering dishes, grooming harnesses, dry shampoos, flea and tick supplies and heavy-duty dog toys work well as consolation prizes and thank-you gifts for modest donations.

Gifts for the Owner

Dog-themed T-shirts, purses, garden and home decor items, laptop bags, greeting card packages, travel mugs, dog-themed DVDs, tickets to dog shows and agility trials, dog-themed throws and pillows and breed-specific novelty items work well alone or packaged in gift baskets.

References

• Dancing Dog Blog: $45.4 Billion Spent on Pets -- Where's The Money Going?
• DogFriendly.com's Dog News: New Survey Reveals that American Pet Owners are Top Dog