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Thank you for your interest in having LHS animals at your event and/or hosting a fundraiser or community event to support Lexington Humane Society. By partnering with us, you’re helping continue our life-saving work for over 4,000 animals in need each year!
Outlined below are the guidelines and requirements for third-party fundraisers and events requesting LHS participation, including animal appearances at offsite event locations. (For more information about our separate workplace animal visit service called “Relax with Rover”, please click here.) A “third-party event” is any offsite community event or fundraising activity organized and hosted by an individual, group, or business where LHS has no fiduciary or planning responsibility.
For item donation drives, an event application is not required. Please note that all supplies collected at donation drive events must be dropped off or shipped to LHS at 1600 Old Frankfort Pike, Bldg B. We are not able to pick up donated items.
LHS reserves the right to select which events to attend based on available resources and mission alignment. Please read these guidelines thoroughly before filling out your application to ensure your request meets our criteria.
LHS Involvement
- Required Donation for LHS Staff and/or Animal Appearances at Events:
For LHS to accommodate requests to bring shelter animals and staff/volunteers to third party events, there must be a donation made or fundraising component that generates a minimum of $500 for LHS. This donation helps cover transportation and staffing costs. LHS operates multiple adoption centers, and there are significant expenses in time and resources associated with bringing pets to events. - LHS Attendance at Events:
Due to limited time and resources, events that require significant attendance from LHS staff and/or volunteers may not be approved. LHS staff and volunteers cannot provide event planning support. Event organizers are expected to manage all logistics efforts independently. - LHS will not handle mailings, attend committee meetings, create promotional or marketing materials, or recruit attendees or volunteers for your event.
LHS Animals at Events
- Request to Bring Animals:
LHS may bring animals to your event with prior written approval, submitted at least 30 days in advance. The number of animals taken to events will depend on the available space, the animals’ temperament and health, availability of young animals, and the availability of trained LHS staff and/or volunteers (LHS policy requires one volunteer/staff per two animals at offsite events). - On-Site Adoptions:
LHS WILL NOT conduct adoptions at community events, unless otherwise agreed upon with our Adoptions Team. The adoption process requires LHS Adoption Specialists to ensure that potential adopters select a pet that fits their family and lifestyle expectations. This process cannot be completed effectively at a fundraising event. - Animal Safety & Event Conditions:
The safety and well-being of the animals is always our top priority. We consider various factors, including the event location, weather (if outdoors), event duration, and potential stressors for the animals. Puppies cannot be out of the shelter for more than three (3) hours.
*** FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SEPARATE “RELAX WITH ROVER” SERVICE FOR YOUR WORKPLACE, PLEASE CLICK HERE! ***
Promotional Support
- LHS Social Media:
Upon approval, LHS may promote your event by sharing YOUR post, story, or event (created by your page/profile) to LHS’s stories on Facebook. We recommend creating a Facebook Event and inviting the LHS Facebook page to be a “co-host,” which allows the event to appear on the LHS Facebook Events Calendar and reach a larger audience. - Approval to Use LHS Name & Logo:
All materials featuring the LHS name or logo must be reviewed and approved in writing by a member of the LHS Development Department before being printed or distributed. - Promotional Materials:
All promotional materials (e.g., flyers, press releases, posters) must be approved by the LHS Development Department before distribution. Your promotional materials should reflect LHS as a beneficiary of the event (e.g., “Proceeds from XYZ Fundraising Event will benefit Lexington Humane Society”). - Contact Lists:
LHS cannot share mailing lists, email addresses, or other contact information of our donors, adopters, or volunteers as this information is protected under our privacy policy.
General Event Guidelines
- Changes to Event:
Any changes to the event details by third party must be submitted in writing and approved by LHS. - Event Types LHS Cannot Approve:
LHS cannot approve the following types of events:- Events requiring LHS to sell third party merchandise, tickets, or coupons (unless directly related to LHS’s mission).
- Events that involve the sale, auction, or raffle of animals.
- Events that require significant attendance from LHS staff or volunteers.
- Events where direct competitors of LHS will be represented.
- Events where LHS participation is requested less than 30 days prior to the event.
- Cancellation by LHS:
LHS reserves the right to cancel or modify LHS staff or animal appearances at any previously scheduled event due to extreme weather or illness.
Financial Information
- Liability:
LHS is not responsible for any financial or legal liabilities related to the event. The event organizer assumes all risks and responsibilities, including any associated costs and fees. - Event Expenses:
LHS does not cover event-related expenses. These are the responsibility of the event organizer. Event parking costs for required LHS staffing must also be covered or comped by the event host. Additionally, LHS does not provide our sales tax-exemption number for event-related purchases. - Donations & Proceeds:
All proceeds must be submitted to LHS within 30 days of the event, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Checks should be made payable to Lexington Humane Society and sent to: 1600 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY 40504. Only donations made directly to LHS will be acknowledged with a tax-deductible receipt.
Licenses & Permits
- Responsibility of Host:
The event host is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, licenses, and insurance for the event. - Contracts & Agreements:
All contracts and permits related to the event must be in the name of the host organization. No representative of the host may sign any agreement on behalf of LHS.
After reviewing these guidelines, please submit your third-party event application form by clicking the link below.
- Applicants must be 18 years or older to apply.
- Submitting an event application does not guarantee LHS participation. Events will be considered on an individual basis.
- You will be contacted by an LHS representative within 5 business days regarding your application.