That’s why we make gifts on behalf of animal shelters to help them raise money. When adopters receive an adorable, personalized mug with their newly adopted pet on it as a “thank you for adopting gift” from the shelter,  they are more likely to donate to the shelter in the future. Recipawsity works because of the human reciprocity instinct, the universal tendency to feel compelled to repay with a kind action when given a gift.

In fact, one of the biggest problems facing animal welfare organizations is lack of funding: not because people aren't willing to give, but because shelters lose 78% of new donors in the first year. That's because shelters often operate in crisis mode, and they simply don't have the money, time or people-power to use new fundraising software or automation. Often, they have to rely on outdated tactics like generic email blasts and gala fundraisers. Shelters aren't retaining donors because they aren't connect with people in an approachable way that makes them feel valued - if they're connecting with them at all.