Here are 10 easy steps to get you started and raise a quick $500:

1. Show your commitment and contribute to yourself: $25
2. Ask your spouse, parents and other family members to match your donation: $75
3. Ask your co-workers to donate: $25 (five co-workers, $5 each)
4. Ask a vendor or supplier from your company: $50
5. Ask friends to sponsor you: $25 (five friends, $5 each)
6. Ask members of a club you belong to: $100 (10 members, $10 each)
7. Send out a letter to your holiday card mailing list: $100
8. Ask people at businesses that you frequent often: $40
9. Ask someone who has asked you for a donation: $10
10. Ask your boss for a company contribution: $50

Here are more simple suggestions to help you get closer to your target:

1. Connect Your Fundraiser to Facebook
   When you connect your Strut Your Mutt fundraising page to Facebook, you will reach more friends and family. Don't forget to share why you are fundraising for the animals! Your donation thermometer will automatically increase on both pages as you bring in donations.
2. Take advantage of each virtual engagement and be sure to download the ResQwalk app, which offers all kinds of opportunities for fundraising fun.
   
3. Donate to yourself.
   Get the ball rolling by making the first donation toward your fundraising efforts. People are more likely to donate to a fundraiser if you’ve donated yourself.
4. Begin asking early.
   The earlier you begin asking people to contribute, the more you will raise. Send personalized emails by logging onto your fundraising page. Templates are provided, or you can start from scratch.
5. Remember that there's no harm in asking.
   Asking for money is hard, but you will find that most people want to support you and your cause. Try reframing it-- rather than taking me out to coffee or dinner, would you donate $5 or $25 instead?
6. Ask at least one person per day to make a donation.
   The more people you ask, the more money you will raise.
7. Let people know why you care.
   Let them know why this cause is close to your heart. Did you adopt a pet? Do you volunteer? Did a pet touch your life? People want to know about you and what is important to you. Update your fundraising page with your personal story, photo, or even a video about why this cause is important to you!
8. Aim high.
   Start with the person who you think will give you the largest donation. Also, instead of asking for $25 and settling for $10, ask for $50 and settle for $25. Of course, you always want to base the amount you're asking for on your prospects' ability to give.
9. Ask people with whom you have daily contact or an established relationship.
   Reach out to your entire network. It can be intimidating to approach people, but if they know it is going to a worthy cause, be confident and go for it.
10. Make it worth their while.
    When you approach businesses, it helps if you are willing to spread the word about them, too. One great way to recognize your supporters (both businesses and individuals) is to acknowledge them. You can be as creative as you like as long as you make them feel special for their support.
11. Get your company's support.
    Many companies encourage their employees to support favorite causes. Create a company team for the walk and ask if your company will match your fundraising goal if it's achieved.
12. Set a fundraising goal.
    Having goals encourages you to plan ahead and inspires other people to help you reach it by tracking your progress on your fundraising page. If you reach your goal, you can always increase it on your fundraising page.
13. Personalize your fundraising page.
    Include a photo, text or even a video with a personal story about why you’re supporting this cause. You can personalize your page from your participant center.
14. Tell supporters where their money will go.
    Tell your donors and prospective team members that the money raised through Strut Your Mutt will be used to save the lives of animals at your local shelters by funding adoption and spay/neuter programs.
15. Share your page on social media.
    People who share their stories on social media such as Facebook are twice as likely to raise more money. Get creative with your posts and always include the link to your fundraising page. You can share via social media from your fundraising page or on the dashboard.
16. Host an online happy hour.
    A face-to-face conversation with someone is still a great way to ask for support. Taking the time to have a conversation shows others that you are passionate about your cause and interested in them, too. You might be surprised how many people love companion animals and want to support your efforts.
17. Pick up the phone.
    Making a personal phone call is a great way to ask for support. Plus, you get to catch up with family and friends at the same time!
18. Liven up a business meeting.
    Ask for a few minutes on the agenda to explain why you are participating in Strut Your Mutt. Even small contributions from co-workers will push you closer to your fundraising goal.
19. Ask your family to get involved.
    Kids make great fundraisers and enjoy coming up with creative ideas to help you meet your goal.
20. Request donations in lieu of birthday gifts.
    Love the birthday cake and ice cream, but don’t need anything else? Tell your family and friends that instead of giving you gifts, you would like them to make a donation to support your Strut Your Mutt fundraising efforts.
21. Promote the walk via email.
    Include a tag line in your email signature about Strut Your Mutt. Make sure to include the URL for your fundraising Web page in the tag line, too.
22. Post a flyer.
    Create a flyer and post it in your most frequented places. Include the Best Friends website (bestfriends.org), the URL of your fundraising Web page, and the reasons why you are participating in Strut Your Mutt. Adding a cute photo of your canine companion will help attract attention to your flyer.
23. Send a handwritten fundraising letter.
    Letter-writing stands out as something special. Make it even easier for people to support you by including a self-addressed, stamped envelope. You will be surprised at the donations that you receive.
24. Don’t get discouraged.
    Even if people don’t donate, you are still spreading the word about the needs of homeless pets and the efforts to save them. Someone that you talk to may not be able to donate this year, but he or she might consider adopting a pet or getting involved in other ways.
25. Say thank you and keep supporters involved.
    Express your heartfelt gratitude to your donors. Send a handwritten thank-you note, a personal email or an e-card. Keep your supporters up-to-date on how much money you have raised and how close you are to reaching your goal. To allow your supporters to share in the excitement of the day, send them a photo of you and your dog at the walk. These small gestures can help you retain supporters in the future, and perhaps entice them to participate themselves next year.