10 Easy Ways to Raise Money for Dogtoberfest

(This story was written and reported by Patch editor Sunde Farquhar.)

This year's annual Dogtoberfest is a mere four months away.

And Suncoast Animal League, the event's host, is wasting no time planning the popular pet-friendly day.

"They keep getting bigger," Rick Chaboudy, Suncoast Animal League's executive director, said.

This week, Suncoast Animal League, treated supporters to an appetizer party at Fairway Pizza and let them know about fun ways they can raise money for Dogtoberfest.

The goal is to get fundraising campaigns started earlier.

Dogtoberfest, held in November each year, features pet-friendly activities, including crowning of the King and Queen (a fundraising contest awarding the pooch with the most fundraising dollars), Running of the Wieners, Doggie Project Runway, My Pet's Got Talent and Blessing of the Animals.

This year's event is Saturday, Nov. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Highlander Park in Dunedin.

10 Fundraising Ideas

1. Hold a garage sale and donate a portion of the proceeds to your King or Queen at 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 or holiday gifts this year, ask people to donate to your FirstGiving page and get your dog elected King or Queen.
4. Fundraising is a great family project. Kinds can run lemonade stands 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 at work. Price it at $1 a 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 yo bake some dog-friendly goodies to sell and host it 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 of the proceeds can be donated to Suncoast Animal League.
9. Host a car wash with the proceeds benefiting 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 candidates. Each vote is only a dollar.