During National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, people in Ulster, Pennsylvania, put their donations on the dinner tab

The Bradford County Humane Society has turned "Eat for Pete" into an annual event, raising money for its programs with the help of local restaurants.

Every November, shelters around the country celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation (NASA) Week in creative ways: Some hold fund-raisers while others sponsor special activities for employees and volunteers. Still others launch major publicity campaigns.

The Bradford County Humane Society in Ulster, Pennsylvania, does all that—and then some. For the past two years, the shelter has gone all out during NASA Week, holding a bake sale and raffle, coordinating a media blitz, sponsoring morale-boosting contests for employees, and even gaining official recognition for the week from county commissioners.

By far the most well-known and successful activity, however, is the shelter's "Eat for Pete" event, held in cooperation with local restaurants. Each year, shelter staff choose a dog and crown him "Pete" so he can act as the canine mascot during the week. On fliers and posters hung throughout the community, Pete's mug shot encourages area residents to dine at participating restaurants on a designated evening. "Eat for Pete and all the other animals at the shelter," the fliers say, "so they know where their next meal is coming from."

On Eat for Pete night, the Bradford County Humane Society also puts donation cans in the restaurants and places a placard on each table that describes shelter programs. After all the diners have "eaten for Pete" and the evening winds to a close, a portion of the restaurants' proceeds goes to the shelter. Last year, 12 restaurants participated in the program.

"It has really caught on," says Gail A'Brunzo, the shelter's executive director. "This was the second year that we did it, and the whole community is familiar with 'Eat for Pete.'"

Bradford County residents also see Pete's glamour shots at the grocery store, where they are asked to participate in "Shop for Pete." As they enter the store, shoppers receive lists of items the shelter needs for the animals in its care. On their way out, people deposit the items in the bin, and the shelter ends up with a room full of needed donations—food, toys, cleaning supplies, and other essentials.

With both the shelter and the retailers receiving valuable publicity, everyone stands to gain from the event. But perhaps the biggest winner of all is Pete himself. At the end of the week—and following the submission of several applications—Pete goes home to a new family.

Although these fund-raisers require a significant time investment, the cost is negligible, says A'Brunzo. And there are lots of ways to celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week without spending too much cash. The Calcasieu Parish Animal Control in Louisiana, for example, holds an open house to educate the public about programs and services. Last year, the Great Lakes Ferret Association held its first "My Ferret–My Companion" walk-a-thon and picnic in honor of the week. This year, try a walk-a-thon, open house, or restaurant promotion in your community—and request a packet from The HSUS for other ideas on how you can celebrate National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.