Delaney’s Shelter Slumber Pawty

Hello everyone! My name is Delaney, and I’m a 17-year-old from Wautoma. Most people know me for my strong passion for animals (especially dogs) and a goal of pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine.

This weekend, I’ll be participating in the Nationwide Shelter Slumber Pawty with the Shawano Humane Society, where I’ll spend 24 hours in a shelter alongside a dog to better understand what their daily life is like. My mom will also be participating with me, making this an experience we get to share while supporting a cause that means so much to us.

Through my experiences I have had independently and gotten to see through my mom, I have seen the impact the animal rescue community has on animals, and how important an even temporary loving home can be. I’ve helped care for abandoned puppies and been part of rescue efforts that gave dogs a second chance, as well as been able to see and meet several of my moms own foster dogs throughout the years, while seeing her foster fails come back from extreme cruelty they experienced before finding their forever home. These things have shown me not only how resilient these animals are, but also how much they rely on people to advocate for them.

My 7 rescue puppies, all successfully homes and now living their best lives 🐾🤍

In the United States, about 70% of households have pets, and 90% of these people consider them family. They provide companionship, comfort, and unconditional love. However, millions of dogs and cats in shelters don’t get to experience that same life. Many spend months—or even years—waiting to be adopted, often in overcrowded environments. Some are never chosen at all. And more than a thousand are put down around our country daily. 

That is why raising awareness is so important. Shelters and foster families work tirelessly every day to care for these animals, but they can’t do it alone. Events like this help bring attention to the reality shelter animals face and encourage more people to get involved—whether that’s through adoption, fostering, donating, or simply spreading the message.

Pictures from the trip taken with Little Charolettes Rescue down to Texas, in which we returned with 20+ dogs to be fostered, homed, and vetted here in Wisconsin

I would truly appreciate your support for this fundraiser. All donations go directly to the Shawano Humane Society and help provide food, medical care, and safe housing for animals in need. Even small contributions can make a meaningful difference in improving their quality of life and increasing their chances of finding a forever home.

If you’re not able to donate, sharing this message is just as valuable. The more awareness we can bring, the more lives we can help change.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for helping us give every animal the chance to be loved the way they deserve.