Where do the funds go?
All funds raised through Paws in the Park further the mission of the SPCA Serving Erie County. Our mission is to create a more humane community through education, rescuing, protecting and enhancing the lives of animals and nurturing the bond between animals and people. The SPCA Serving Erie County is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Do I have to register in order to walk?
Yes, we want to know you and your dog are walking with us! Registration fees help us cover the cost of the event and we need every participant to sign a standard waiver through their official registration.

Do I need to register my children for the walk?
Yes, children should register. Parents/guardians can register children online or complete an offline registration form and sign the waiver on behalf of the child.

Does every participant get a T-shirt?
Every registered adult participant will receive an official Paws in the Park T-shirt. Children can register for $10 if they would like a T-shirt. 

Where do I park for the event? 
Parking is available in the fields in front of the stables. Additional parking will be at the Parkdale Elementary School main parking lot at 141 Girard Avenue in East Aurora. We strongly encourage the use of the trolley shuttle running from 8:45 a.m. through 1:15 p.m. between the Parkdale Elementary School parking lot and the stables at Knox Farm. Dogs will be allowed on the trolley. Keep an eye out for our volunteers directing cars and traffic. 

Is disabled-accessible parking available? 
Disabled-accessible parking is available upon request. Please email gennam@yourspca.org to request disabled-accessible parking.

Will there be food? 
This year, more of your donation will be given to the animals! Lunch will not be provided this year. We will have some of Buffalo's most talked-about food trucks in attendance, offering food for purchase. Joining us this year will be Cheesy Chick, Buffalo Bros Burgers, and Edgy Vedgy. 

As a token of our appreciation for your outstanding fundraising efforts, you will receive incentives based on your total fundraising amount. Prizes will be available for pickup at the event or you'll receive an email after the event with instructions for redeeming your rewards. 

Every registration comes with a limited-edition event t-shirt and pet bandana, which you can pick up the morning of the event from the Registration/T-shirt tent. Virtual Walk Participants can pick up their t-shirts at Packet Pick-Up Day before the walk. 

Fundraising for Paws in the Park will continue through September 30, 2025, so you'll have even more time to reach your fundraising goals and qualify for more prizes!

Incentive Level 1: Raise $250+ as an Individual Fundraiser and receive access to our VIP Tent!
The VIP Tent is your exclusive oasis, featuring a continental breakfast, a catered lunch post-walk, an ice cream social from Anderson's Frozen Custard, a Buffalo POD (Party On Demand) drink ticket, and various freebies for you and your dog!

Incentive Level 2: Raise $500+ as an Individual Fundraiser and receive an SPCA picnic blanket!
Your pup will be begging for more outdoor adventures when they see you unfold your new blanket!

Incentive Level 3: Raise $1000+ as an Individual Fundraiserand receive a rolling cooler bag!
This handy cooler features a 30-can capacity, perfect for all your adventures!

Incentive Level 4: Raise $5,000+ as an Individual fFundraiser and receive a 12" x 12" engraved brick on the SPCA's PawsWay!
Leave a lasting legacy of your dedication to animals! This is an opportunity to become a permanent part of the SPCA's campus!

How do I start fundraising?
The best fundraising efforts start by sharing your personal story about why you're participating in Paws in the Park. Visit your Participant Center to include your story on your personal fundraising page. Once your page is updated, share it with friends, family, and co-workers via email, social networks, and word of mouth.

How do I fundraise on Facebook?
Log in to your Participant Center and click “Connect to Facebook” to set up a Facebook Fundraiser. Once you do so, all donations received through Facebook will be credited to your fundraising page and go towards your fundraising goal.

How are donations collected?
Donations can be made online with a credit card, by check, or by money order made out to the SPCA Serving Erie County. You can also mail donations, along with the printable donation form available on your personal fundraising page, to the SPCA at 300 Harlem Road, West Seneca, NY 14224.

How do I get my offline donations to appear on my personal fundraising webpage?
Donations can be made offline by submitting a check or money order by mail or hand-delivering to the SPCA at 300 Harlem Road in West Seneca.  Be sure to include your offline donation form, which can be found in your Participant Center or on your fundraising webpage, to ensure you receive credit for the donation. Donations typically take one to two weeks to show up on your web page. 

Easy and Accessible Text Donating 
Have your donors text text PITP25 to 50155 and following the prompts for quick and easy donating to your page or team!

Share a Graphic on Social Media
Use these graphics to post on your social channels!  To Download: Click on the image, if it does not download, please right click on the image and choose "save image as".

Customize Your Personal Fundraising Page
Sharing your personal connection to Paws in the Park and the reasons behind your dedication to raising funds for the SPCA can increase people's willingness to contribute! By conveying your passion, you can inspire others to support this meaningful cause. Feel free to accompany your message with a delightful snapshot featuring you and your beloved furry companion(s)!

Send Emails
Your Participant Center is filled with email templates you can use to let your friends, family, colleagues and neighbors know that you're participating in Paws in the Park— and ask for their support! We've even included heartwarming animal stories for you to share.

If you prefer to send messages from your own email account instead, remember to include a link to your personal fundraising page — just copy and paste the URL right into your email!

Start a Facebook Fundraiser
Fundraise with social media by creating a Facebook fundraiser that your entire network can see. Any donations you receive show up automatically in your participant center. Facebook makes it super easy and we highly recommend you give it a try!

Donate to Yourself
The easiest way to jump-start your fundraising efforts is to be the first to donate! It's easier to ask for a donation if you can speak from experience, and it shows a dedication to your cause. Collect your loose change and skip buying takeout for a few weeks. Even something small will be impressive!

Set a Fundraising Goal
Share your goal with friends, family and co-workers so they can help you achieve it. Don't Be Afraid to Ask!

Decide who you will be asking to donate. Also, it often takes up to three asks to get a response! To get started, make a list of people to ask for support, such as:

• Family

• Friends.

• Neighbors.

• Coworkers.

• Members of groups or networks you're in.

• Businesses you frequent.

Organize a Fundraising Event

• Host a Fun Food Event
  Host a Chili Cook-Off, Baked Potato Party or Guacamole Contest. Sell tickets for $5 each for a vote for the tastiest item and raise funds for Paws in the Park at the same time! Food is a great way to raise money, especially with hungry co-workers.

• Rummage/Garage/Yard Sales
  Ask your team members to clean out their closets and garages and bring items for a team-wide sale.

Use Creative Ways to Ask For Support

• Make Your Pet Do the Talking
  Use your Participant Center to send an email to your friends asking them to donate, but instead of having it come from you, have it come from your pet!


• Have Any Leftover Bottles?
  Keep change/donation jars or bottles in high-traffic areas at work. One regular-size water bottle full of change can quickly add up. Or maybe even leave out a swear jar around your home!


• Use Your Baking Skills
  Do you like baking delicious bread, cupcakes or other treats? Ask friends, family and co-workers to donate some baked goods too and you will be surprised by how much you can raise at a bake sale. Or simply ask people for a donation for your famous freshly baked cookies, cake or other concoction!


• Throw a Bingo or Board Game Party
  Prizes can be silly! Get them donated or find knick-knacks you don't mind parting with. Charge an entrance fee to play and enjoy the good times!

Write a Letter
Embrace the timeless charm of pen and paper! Pick up that pen and paper and personalize your letter with details about yourself and the reasons you're walking — you could even include pictures of your pets! Remember your audience when you are crafting your letter. Tailor it to fit friends, family, business owners, colleagues, etc. And consider enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it easier for them to contribute.

Matching Gifts
Many companies offer matching gifts to employees fundraising for an amazing cause. This is a great way to double the money you raise. Reach out to your human resources department and check with your donating friends and family to see if their company does this. By harnessing the potential of matching gifts, we can make an even greater difference together!

Say Thank You!
Whether you do it through a handwritten card, face-to-face, via email or by tagging someone in a social media post, be sure to say thank you! You can find thank-you emails in your Participant Center that make this part quick and easy, though you can also add a personal note to make your donors feel even more special. Remember, saving thousands of animals this year would not be possible without generous donors, and of course — YOU!