1. Register to Walk - Click Here!
2. Make the first donation yourself.
- Show your commitment — every dollar helps.
- Reach out to close friends and family. A quick text or email goes a long way.
3. Set Up Your Fundraising Page
- Upload a photo (you and your dog!)
- Share why you’re walking—include a personal story or use Jess’s legacy story for impact
- Use suggested donation amounts:
- $5: In honor of the 1 in 5 dogs at risk
- $25: Covers vaccines for an incoming shelter dog
- $100: Sponsors a dog’s transport and care
4. Use this Toolkit to Share with Your Network
- Email close friends and family first—personal notes work best
- Post on social media weekly leading up to the walk
- Use storytelling: Share your reason for walking or how Gigi’s helped your pet
- Include your fundraising link everywhere
5. Invite Others to Join You
- Encourage friends to walk with you and create their own pages
- Start a team: coworkers, family, dog park friends—all can help save lives
- Offer a fun incentive: “Help me raise $250 and I’ll match the first $25!”
6. Celebrate Milestones
- Thank donors quickly and publicly (tag them if they’re OK with it)
- Post updates as you hit key goals ($50, $100, etc.)
- Use Gigi’s shareable graphics and story templates
7. Attend the Walk & Join the Celebration
- Join us on October 12 to walk, meet adoptable dogs, and celebrate the impact you made
8. See your impact in action:
- Follow Gigi’s on social media to watch the lives you’ve helped change.
- Join our mailing list to stay connected and hear more heartwarming stories.
4–6 Weeks Before the Walk
- Set up your fundraising page. Add a photo of you and your pup (or your favorite Gigi’s dog!) and share why you care. Check out our Fundraising Tool Kit!
- Make the first donation yourself. Show your commitment — every dollar helps.
- Reach out to close friends and family. A quick text or email goes a long way.
3 Weeks Before the Walk
- Share your page on social media. Tell everyone why Gigi’s matters to you.
- Send a friendly reminder to anyone who hasn’t donated yet — people appreciate a nudge!
- Ask if your workplace matches donations. Double the impact for dogs in need.
2 Weeks Before the Walk
- Host a mini fundraiser. Bake sale, garage sale, Facebook fundraiser — get creative!
- Update your supporters. Let them know how close you are to your goal.
- Thank your donors. A shoutout or personal message means a lot.
1 Week Before the Walk
- Make one last ask. Many people donate closer to the event day.
- Share your excitement. Post a photo of your walk gear or your four-legged walking buddy.
- Get ready to walk and wag! Celebrate your impact for shelter dogs.
We've got everything you need to make spreading the word a snap! Use the graphics package below, which includes Gigi's brand colors and guidelines, example emails and social media posts, and easy-to-use images. Just copy, paste, and save these graphics to boost your fundraising and help save more dogs.
Download and save these images to easily share your story on social media or in an email.
Use our Canva Template Suite to easily customize and download beautiful, on-brand content in minutes.
Here are ways to promote Walkin' the Dog through social media.
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Post photos of your pre-event walk or run routine on your Facebook or Instagram page.
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On social media, invite friends and family to join your team or cheer you on. Tell them what participating in this event means to you and rescue dogs in need.
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Remember to always use our hashtag #WalkinTheDog. This will help your posts reach a wider audience of supporters.
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Whatever platform you choose, remember to provide your supporters with the link to your personal Walkin' the Dog fundraising page!
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Gigi's social media accounts:
Facebook: @gigisfordogs
Instagram: @gigisfordogs
TikTok: @gigisfordogs
Announce you're joining
Walkin' the Dog
Hi, friends! It’s <Insert your pet’s name>!
My person, <Insert your name>, and I are so excited to be part of Gigi’s Walkin’ the Dog this year. We’re stepping up to help more shelter dogs get the care and love they deserve.
I’m so lucky to have a cozy home and a human who loves me — but so many dogs still need that chance. When you donate to our Walkin’ the Dog page, you’re helping Gigi’s give dogs like my shelter buddies warm beds, full bellies, and a second chance at family.
Thank you for making tails wag and lives change — your support means everything!
Donate here: <Insert link to your Walkin’ the Dog fundraising page>
#WalkintheDog #TeamGigis #YOURTEAMNAME
Invite friends to join your team
Hi, friends! It’s <Insert your dog’s name> here!
My person, <Insert your name>, and I are so excited to be walking in Gigi’s Walkin’ the Dog 2025! We’ve been hitting the pavement to get ready — but we can’t do it alone.
Will you join our team, <Insert team name>, and help us raise money to give more shelter dogs a second chance? Every step you take brings hope, care, and new beginnings to dogs who need it most.
🐾 Teamwork makes the dream work — and saves more lives!
Register to walk: <Insert registration link>
Join our team: <Insert team link>
Donate here: <Insert link to your fundraising page>
WalkintheDog #TeamGigis #YOURTEAMNAME
Final Push - Every dollar matters!
Hi, friends! 🐾
It’s <Insert your dog’s name> and <Insert your name> here — we’re in the final stretch for Walkin’ the Dog, and we need your help to cross the finish line strong!
Every dollar you give helps Gigi’s give more shelter dogs a safe place to heal, wag their tails, and find the loving homes they deserve.
We’re so close to our goal — will you help us make it happen? Together, we can change more lives, one paw at a time.
Donate here: <Insert your fundraising link>
Thank you for believing in second chances! 💛🐶
#WalkintheDog #TeamGigis #YOURTEAMNAME #FinalPush
Thank You Post
Hey there, friends! It’s me, [Insert your pet’s name]! 🐾
[Insert your name] and I want to thank you so much for supporting our Gigi’s Walkin' the Dog
journey this year by giving so generously. Thanks to you and other amazing supporters, we
were able to raise $[Insert amount raised] for dogs in need! 💖
Your support makes a life-changing difference for homeless and vulnerable dogs at Gigi's. On behalf of all the tail-wagging fur babies, thank you! You truly make
tails wag and snuggles happen! 🐶
#WalkinTheDog2025 #ShelterDog #SaveShelterDogs #Donate #Gigis #TeamGigis
#YOURTEAMNAME
Announce and ask for help!
Subject header: Help [Insert your name] and I raise money for Gigi's Walkin' the Dog!
Hi [Insert recipient's name],
This is [Insert your pet’s name]. You likely know me from [Insert your name]’s Instagram page or desktop. Maybe we’ve even been lucky enough to meet in-person (and if not, I’d love to!).
I’m writing to share that [Insert your name] and I will be walking in the 2025 Gigi's Walkin' the Dog on Saturday, October 12! We’re super excited and already going on lots of practice walks to get ready. During a recent stroll, it hit me – I am so lucky to have a place to call home and a person as loving as [Insert your name]. I want all the amazing dogs at Gigi’s to find their own loving homes, just like I did! That’s why we’re walking.
When you donate to our Walk the Dog fundraising page ([Insert link to your fundraising page]), you’ll be helping my friends at Gigi's get the care they need and the love they deserve. I couldn’t think of a better gift than that!
Thanks so much for making a difference. And if you’re up for it, join us for the best walk ever on October 12! The fun is just a click away: [Insert registration link]!
Barks and love,
[Insert your name] & [Insert your pet’s name]
Second Email - This is where we are!
📬 Subject: We’re so close — will you help us give more dogs a second chance?
Hi [Insert recipient’s name],
It’s [Insert your pet’s name] again — you might remember me from [Insert your name]’s desktop, Instagram feed, or maybe even from a waggy tail hello in person!
[Insert your name] and I have been busy training for Gigi’s Walkin’ the Dog, and thanks to you, we’re already making a big impact for shelter dogs who need a second chance. 💛
We’re so close to reaching our goal — will you help us go even further? [insert your goal and where you are]! Every extra dollar helps Gigi’s give more dogs warm beds, full bellies, and the love they deserve.
If you can, please make a gift today or share our page with a friend who loves dogs as much as you do. Every step (and every share!) truly makes tails wag! There's even still time to join my team!
👉 Donate here: [Insert your fundraising page link]
👉Join my team: [Insert registration link]!
Thank you for believing in second chances and for being part of our pack. 🐾
With love and wags,
[Insert your name] & [Insert your pet’s name]
Thank You Email
📬 Subject: We did it — thank you for giving shelter dogs hope!
Hi [Insert recipient’s name],
It’s [Insert your pet’s name] — your favorite four-legged fundraiser — here with the best update ever: Thanks to you, we did it!
Because of your support, [Insert your name] and I helped Gigi’s give more dogs warm beds, gentle care, and a real chance at a happy home — just like I have. 🐶💛
We hope you know how much you mean to us and to every dog who gets a fresh start because of people like you.
We can’t wait to hit the trail at Walkin’ the Dog on October 12 and celebrate all the good you made possible. Keep following Gigi’s to see your impact in action — because you’re part of this family, too!
Thank you for walking beside us, believing in second chances, and changing lives.
With a grateful heart and a waggy tail,
[Insert your name] & [Insert your pet’s name]
Need a little boost to hit your fundraising goal? Here’s a simple, step-by-step plan to help you rally support in just one week — and make a big difference for shelter dogs in need.
Day 1 — Make the First Gift
- Kick things off by donating to your own page. This shows friends and family you’re committed and inspires them to give too.
Day 2 — Ask Your Inner Circle
- Reach out to your closest people — family, best friends, and coworkers. A quick text, email, or social post with your fundraising link goes a long way.
Day 3 — Go Social
- Post on Facebook, Instagram, or your favorite social app. Tell people why you’re walking for Gigi’s and ask them to share or donate. Include a cute photo of a dog for extra love!
Day 4 — Expand Your Reach
- Think bigger: neighbors, extended family, your book club, gym buddies, or your kids’ team parents — they all want to help. Send a quick message or bring it up when you see them.
Day 5 — Share an Update
- Post an update on your progress. Celebrate donations so far and share how close you are to your goal. Gratitude + reminders = more support!
Day 6 — Get Creative
- Hold a mini fundraiser: bake sale, garage clean-out, or lemonade stand — every dollar adds up and gets people talking about Gigi’s.
Day 7 — Final Push
- Send one last friendly reminder to anyone who hasn’t donated yet. Let them know it’s the last chance to help you make a difference for shelter dogs.
CREATE YOUR OWN STORY
- Keep it short, simple, and heartfelt.
- Use photos and stories — people love to see the dogs they’re helping.
- Always say thank you — it builds more support for the future!
- Keep going – even after you hit your initial fundraising goal. The shelter dogs in rural Ohio need you!
- Update your supporters on your progress and ask them to continue supporting your fundraising page. After all, they are a key part of your success and will be excited to hear about your journey. A heartfelt note goes a long way to show your appreciation!
CORPORATE MATCHING GIFTS
Do you want to know something exciting? You might be able to easily DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT for animals through your Gigi's Walkin' the Dog fundraising efforts!
Many employers match charitable contributions made by their employees, retirees, and even their employees’ partners or spouses. That means your generous donation could go even further to support the animals in our care!
To see if your workplace has a matching gift program, simply ask your Human Resources or Team Member Services departments.
Let’s make a bigger difference together for the animals!
There are many easy and creative ways to spread the word about Walkin' the Dog. Looking for impactful stories about animals and our work to inspire giving? We’ve got plenty. Want to share the love on social media? We’ve got Walkin' the Dog logos, social media frames, and templates for you to use when writing fundraising requests, social posts, and thank-you notes.
Once you’ve registered for the event, your friends and family can support your fundraising efforts by donating directly to your personal fundraising page. Or they can mail a donation on your behalf using this giving form. Every donation makes a difference for the animals in our care!
We’ve gathered everything we can think of to make fundraising for Walkin' the Dog a tail-wagging breeze! However, if we’ve missed anything or if you have creative ideas to share, please don’t hesitate to contact Lisa at lkristensen@gigis.org. We’d love to hear from you.
