By collaborating on a large community pet adoption event, you make the most of your promotion efforts and engage the entire community in a celebration of pet adoption. Here are some planning tips to help:

1. Pick a date that’s likely to get great attendance. Avoid times when other big community or sporting events are planned. Choose a time of year with the best odds of good weather.

2. Identify shelters and rescues to participate, making sure each meets any needed guidelines, such as rescues having non-profit status. Engage other partners too, such as a local veterinary clinic or other pet-focused business to provide support.

3. With all participants, agree on roles and responsibilities for the event planning and execution. Meet regularly to coordinate the details and process for the event.

4. Decide if participating organizations will gather in one place or if the event will happen simultaneously at different spots across the community. If you plan to gather in one place, keep in mind needs for city permits, water, power, shade, restrooms and parking.

5. Look for sponsors who can add special elements to the event and give their voice to help promote it. For example, a local business could pay the adoption fees, cover the cost of microchipping the pets, or provide a giveaway such as a leash or bowl.

6. Promote the event in the weeks leading up to it, talking with local media and promoting it on all participants’ social media channels.

7. Ask local celebrities, influencers and government leaders to help spread the news by sharing a social media post about the event.

8. Arrange a volunteer day to clean and prepare for the event, bathe dogs, etc. Put up signs to help families understand where to go and what to do when they arrive.

9. Consider having a booth staffed with pet experts or offering handouts that will help adopting families learn about responsible pet ownership and what they need to do to care for their pet.

10. Invite pet-focused businesses to host booths too (and share setup costs!) so they can promote the services or support they can provide for new pet parents.

11. Make sure staff are ready for the expected number of adopters, and have extra volunteers on hand to help match pets with families and make the approval process efficient. Have leashes and cat boxes available for those who forget to bring one.

12. Celebrate adoptions with a place for families to get a picture with their new pet. Post adoptions on social media to encourage other families to come out or consider adoption in the future.

Want more ways to help pets in your community? Check out our Helping Homeless Pets Toolkit for resources for cities, tools for shelters and tips for pet lovers.