Cruel Fundraisers That Send Mixed Messages to Students 

Five Cruel School Fundraisers and Compassionate, Animal-Free Upgrades

Fundraisers are a great way to bring communities together and support schools, but it’s important to keep compassion at the heart of the effort. While these events aim to build connections and raise funds for meaningful causes, some activities send the wrong message by using animals in ways that promote cruelty rather than kindness. At TeachKind, we often hear from caring individuals concerned about these practices, for the sake of the animals and the messages participants receive.  

The good news? You have the power to create positive changes! By starting an open and thoughtful conversation with your school, you can help shift the focus to fun, meaningful events that remind the community that empathy matters.

Learn about five outdated fundraisers that harm animals—and discover inspiring, profitable, and animal-free alternatives to replace them. 

Cruel Fundraiser: Donkey Basketball Games

Donkeys are patient, gentle, and intelligent animals. They form strong bonds, recognize faces—even after years apart—and experience pain and fear just like any other animal. Imagine how terrifying and confusing it must be for them to be forced into donkey basketball “games” where students and adults climb on their backs, all while loud crowds cheer, balls bounce, and chaos surrounds them. The bright lights, blaring noise, and constant travel are highly stressful, plus, donkeys used in these “games” are often kicked, shoved, and yelled at, all for the sake of a laugh or a few dollars. Unsurprisingly, being forced to participate is anything but fun for the animals involved.

But, donkey basketball fundraisers don’t just harm animals—they also send a dangerous message to young people: that it’s acceptable to exploit those who are vulnerable or different for entertainment. When children witness animals being mistreated for fun, they learn that cruelty is not only tolerated, but celebrated—and that can have serious, lasting consequences.

Cruel Fundraiser: Pig Kissing Events

Pigs are incredibly intelligent, sensitive animals who thrive when they can explore, play, and socialize. They love building cozy nests, basking in the sun, and communicating with one another, just like dogs or other beloved animal companions.

But at “pig-kissing” events, these gentle beings are forced into chaotic, unfamiliar environments, surrounded by loud crowds and often mishandled by overexcited participants. To pigs, humans can seem like predators, and these stressful situations can cause extreme fear. We’ve received disturbing reports of pigs trembling uncontrollably, urinating in fear, and even fleeing auditoriums in a panic. Beyond being dangerous to pigs, these events also pose serious health risks to students and other attendees. Pigs can carry pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and H3N2v, which can be transmitted to humans.

Cruel Fundraiser: Animal Races

From mice to turtles, ducklings, and guinea pigs, countless animal species have been forced to race in events organized as a misguided way to raise money, none of whom can consent to participate. Although animal racing might seem like harmless fun, these events can cause significant stress to the animals involved, especially prey animals who naturally seek shelter and solitude to feel safe.

These animals are often placed in unfamiliar, chaotic environments filled with loud noises, bright lights, and rapid movement. Additionally, they are frequently handled by untrained individuals and transported in inappropriate containers, which increases their stress and risk of harm. And the problems don’t end at the finish line; there’s often little transparency about what happens to the animals used in these events afterward, raising serious concerns about their welfare

Cruel Fundraiser: Petting Zoos

Imagine how overwhelming it must be for animals to find themselves in unfamiliar environments like a bustling auditorium or a busy school courtyard. Surrounded by curious eyes and eager hands, they’re often subjected to a stressful combination of noise, bright lights, and constant handling. No matter how long they’ve been carted to and from “petting zoo” events, the endless travel and exposure to crowds can seriously affect their well-being.

Injuries requiring medical attention happen far too frequently—clear signs that these interactions aren’t just stressful for animals but also dangerous for participants. Additionally, even animals who appear clean and healthy can carry harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Cryptosporidium, and Salmonella, which can be transmitted to humans.

The good news? Kids don’t need to pet or hold animals to care about them, and there are plenty of ways to raise money that don’t put anyone at risk. When we model respect by observing animals from a distance and learning about them compassionately, we teach children a powerful lesson: that other animals are individuals, not props or playthings.

Cruel Fundraiser: Puppy Auctions

Animal companions require an emotional, physical, and financial commitment that can last up to 20 years. Responsible animal shelters follow strict screening, educational, and contractual procedures when deciding whether to approve adoptions. When animals are treated as prizes awarded to the highest bidder, there’s no way to guarantee that a safe and loving home awaits them or that the winner of the auction is committed to providing the comprehensive care they need.

When young animals grow or the novelty of a new “pet” wears off, they are commonly bounced from home to home—where they’re confined to crates or backyards and virtually forgotten—or they end up in overburdened shelters. Often, the animals used in these fundraisers are selected for their breed, but millions of homeless animals are struggling to survive on any given day in the U.S., and breeding animals deliberately fuels the overpopulation crisis and denies homes to dogs and cats who already need them.

Want more information about cruel fundraisers and kind replacements? 

Check out the Animal-Friendly Teacher’s Guide to Fundraising!