Steps for Shelter Pets

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control invites the community to take part in Steps for Shelter Pets, a meaningful walk designed to raise awareness and critical support for the animals in our care.

In 2025 alone, more than 10,800 animals entered our shelter. Each lap walked during the event represents an animal that came through our doors— highlighting the scale of shelter intake and the continued importance of adoption, fostering, donating, and responsible pet ownership.

For 2026, participants are encouraged to raise $5 per lap, representing each animal that entered our care last year. Funds raised support essential, supplementary programs—including enrichment, supplies, and specialized medical care—that go beyond routine shelter operations and help improve quality of life for animals while they await adoption.

Participants are invited to secure sponsors and set personal lap goals, maximizing their individual impact and helping strengthen our community’s support for shelter pets.

We look forward to seeing Charlotte step up once again—walking together to make a difference for the animals who need us most.

RSVP for Steps for Shelter Pets

More Information

Shelter Awareness

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control (ACC) is committed to more than just finding homes for animals — we're here to educate, advocate, and empower our community. By bringing shelter awareness to the forefront, we aim to:

Promote Spay & Neuter Programs: Reducing overpopulation starts with prevention. By encouraging spaying and neutering, we help lower intake numbers and give every animal a better chance at a loving home.
Educate on Responsible Pet Ownership: Many animals enter our care due to misunderstandings about pet care. Through community outreach and resources, we equip citizens with the knowledge to keep their pets healthy, safe, and at home.
Champion Animal Welfare: From proper shelter and medical care to enrichment and humane treatment, we advocate for every animal’s right to a life filled with compassion and dignity.
Support the Community: Our shelter is a resource — not just for pets, but for people. We offer low-cost services, guidance, and support to help individuals and families care for their animals and make informed decisions.

Every step taken during Steps for Shelter Pets is a stride toward a more informed, compassionate, and proactive Charlotte.

Why Purple?

The color purple was chosen for the sidewalk markings and event branding because it symbolizes shelter awareness and animal advocacy. By walking along the designated path, participants visibly show their support for shelter animals, helping to spread the message that these pets deserve love, care, and a forever home.

Ways to Support

There are several ways to take part in Steps for Shelter Pets and make a meaningful impact:

Walk as an Individual or Group

Register on your own or gather friends, family, coworkers, or community groups to participate together. Every step helps support shelter pets.

Secure Sponsors

Ask local businesses, friends, or family members to sponsor your walk. Participants are encouraged to raise $5 per lap, with $5 symbolizing each animal that entered our care last year.

Help Spread the Word

Share our campaign messaging and social media assets to help raise awareness and encourage others to get involved.

Make a Direct Donation

Can’t attend the walk? You can still support the campaign by making a direct donation to help fund enrichment, supplies, and specialized medical care for shelter pets.

Every form of participation—walking, donating, or sharing—helps strengthen our community’s support for shelter pets.

How to Donate

Supporting Steps for Shelter Pets is simple, and every donation helps provide enrichment, supplies, and specialized medical care for animals in our shelter.

Thank you for helping support shelter pets and our community.

Partner With Us

Partner for Community Impact

Steps for Shelter Pets partners with local businesses, organizations, and community groups to raise awareness and support animals in the care of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control. These partnerships play a vital role in expanding community engagement and helping fund supplementary programs that enhance animal well-being.

Partnerships may include financial support, in-kind contributions, employee engagement, or promotional collaboration—each helping strengthen our collective impact for shelter pets and the community.

Partnership Opportunities

Social Toolkit

Create and Share Custom Posts to Support Shelter Animals

Looking for a simple and impactful way to support the Steps for Shelter Pets Walk? Our Social Media Toolkit makes it easy to get involved and help raise awareness from wherever you are.

The toolkit includes customizable Canva templates that allow you to create high-quality, branded content to share across your personal social media channels. Whether you’re a participant, donor, foster, or supporter, these tools help spread awareness and encourage others to step up for shelter pets.

How to Use the Toolkit

Click the link to open the Steps for Shelter Pets Toolkit in Canva
If you don’t have a Canva account, you can sign up for free
Select “Use template for new design”
Add your photo or message and customize the text if desired
Download your design and share it on your social media accounts

Why It Matters

In 2025, more than 10,800 animals entered the care of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control. Each post shared helps raise awareness for the animals who rely on community support.

This year’s goal is to raise $5 per lap, totaling $54,000, to support enrichment, supplies, and specialized medical care that enhance quality of life for shelter pets.

By sharing these templates, you help amplify the message, reach new audiences, and show how our community comes together to support shelter animals.

Steps for Shelter Pets 2026 – Official Teaser