If you're already registered for this year's Walk for Animals, log in here to access your Participant Center.
Forgot password?What’s more fun than making a difference for animals? Making a difference with other animal lovers.
Creating a team with friends, family, or coworkers for the Walk for Animals is a great way to increase your impact and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable animals. Every dollar you raise goes directly toward creating happier, healthier lives for animals in our shelters — and beyond.
When you work together, you make participating in the Walk even more meaningful. More team members means more ways to create second chances for animals in need.
Teams have the power to help us achieve our vision of creating a more humane world for animals. Supporting the Walk as a team can build team spirit, encourage collaboration, and bring value to your organization by working towards a shared goal.
Encourage participation: The Walk for Animals is open to all ages and even those without pets! It’s an event everyone will be excited to participate in.
Reach a wider audience: Team members can reach out to their existing networks of friends, family, colleagues, and via social media to help spread the word, inviting others to participate or help raise money for animals in need of a second chance.
Spark creativity and have fun: Great teams work together to form creative fundraising ideas, motivate and encourage one another, highlight achievements for reaching and exceeding goals, and have fun in the process.
And for corporate teams, your participation in the Walk can benefit your organization:
Make a difference: Help fulfill your organization’s philanthropic responsibility by ensuring local dogs, cats, and critters receive the shelter, medical treatment, and love they deserve.
Enhance your company culture: Whether your corporate team is large or small, creating an environment where employees can work together to support a common cause and encourage teamwork and collaboration is a great way to build team morale and a sense of camaraderie among peers. Employees are proud to say they work for a company that supports important causes.
Increase your community profile: Gain positive brand exposure among the thousands of Walk for Animals supporters who participate in the event. Fundraising for the Walk for Animals and participating in the event sends a strong signal that you and your team members are all about supporting your community.
Prizes are awarded based on individual fundraising accomplishments regardless of team affiliation. Team donations do not count toward individual fundraising goals, but we’ve added a few team incentives this year to show others how, as a group, you’ve stepped up for animals in need.
Teams will receive special recognition when they reach the following milestones. Totals are based on the combined fundraising totals of all team members and team gifts, and will be tallied on Thursday, May 1 for day-of Walk recognition purposes.
$2,500: Teams receive a paw print with their team’s name displayed in Vendor Village or near the mainstage.
$5,000: Teams receive a sign with their team’s name displayed along the Walk route.
$10,000: Teams are recognized from the mainstage during the event.
Thank you for stepping up for animals and serving as a team captain for a Walk for Animals team. As our largest and most important fundraising event of the year, the Walk for Animals is even more fun when you get friends, family, and colleagues involved!
Below are suggestions to help get you started recruiting, fundraising, and engaging your Walk for Animals team, but this is also your chance to get creative and have fun!
Note: Three or more people are required to form a Walk team.
Once you’ve registered, start a list of people you’ll ask to join your team. There are so many people in your network who share a meaningful connection to animals and Animal Humane Society.
Teams can be formed by coworkers, volunteers, business partners, clients, customers, friends, family, neighbors, community groups, or a combination of these. Three or more participants are required to form a Walk team. Send them a link from your Participant Center to make it easy!
Once you’re registered, set up your team (and personal) fundraising page to share why your team is passionate about supporting Animal Humane Society and the Walk for Animals.
Remember to set a fundraising goal, add a photo, and invite your teammates to register and join your team. Your goal should be both ambitious and achievable. You want to stretch, while also having a goal that will be a source of pride for your team. Collaborating with your team on setting the goal will help everyone rally around it.
Help make connections with your network and the community. Share your AHS story, the work we do, and how funds raised for the Walk support the animals in our care.
Be sure your team members utilize the digital fundraising toolkit. There are many great visuals and facts to help encourage donations.
Report back to your team on their fundraising progress and celebrate personal and team milestones. You may even choose to highlight a “Walker of the Week” to inspire others.
Remember to also be a resource for your team. Answer any questions they have or help direct them to the answer — many of which can be found on the Walk for Animals website.
Invite existing and potential team members to a gathering to help build excitement around participating in the Walk.
You may want to consider including the following in your agenda:
There are plenty of creative ways to work together to reach your fundraising goal.
Every member of your team is eligible to win prizes based on their individual fundraising — plus AHS will provide plenty of tips and tools to support your fundraising efforts.
And if you didn’t make a self-donation when you registered, make one now! Participants who make a self-donation to start their fundraising typically raise more than those who don’t. You’ll also earn a “Made a Personal Donation” badge for your personal page!
Plan challenges and incentives for your team throughout the fundraising period to encourage them to ask for donations and share about the Walk. It doesn’t hurt if there are bragging rights or prizes on the line!
Ideas for challenges:
One of the most important parts of your role as a team captain is engaging, inspiring, and encouraging your team members. Check in with them on a regular basis to keep them focused and help them get closer to reaching their fundraising goals.
