Cincinnati Animal CARE to Host Overnight Shelter Slumber Pawty 2026
Cincinnati Animal CARE to Host Overnight “Shelter Slumber Pawty,” Joining Global Fundraising Event for Shelter Pets
The Hamilton County animal shelter aims to raise $50,000 during one night immersive experience alongside adoptable animals
CINCINNATI, OH (April 9, 2026) — Cincinnati Animal CARE, Hamilton County’s only open stray-intake animal shelter and sole provider of animal services, will participate in the The Shelter Slumber Pawty on Saturday, April 18, 2026, hosting an overnight fundraising event unlike anything the shelter has done before.
As the only participating shelter in the state of Ohio, Cincinnati Animal CARE will join nearly 100 shelters across the country and around the world for this unique, mission-driven experience designed to raise critical funds and awareness for homeless pets.
During the Shelter Slumber Pawty event, twenty community participants will spend the night inside the shelter, sleeping in kennels alongside adoptable dogs, while five additional participants will stay in the free-roaming cat room with adoptable cats. The goal is to raise $50,000 to support lifesaving care, medical treatment, and placement efforts for animals in Hamilton County.
“The Shelter Slumber Pawty is about creating a deeper connection between our community and the animals in our care,” said Carolyn Evans, Executive Director of Cincinnati Animal CARE. “When you spend the night in a shelter, you gain a completely different perspective on what these animals experience every day—and why finding them homes as quickly as possible matters so much.”
The twenty-five Shelter Slumber Pawty participants include volunteers and fosters, as well as notable community members, philanthropists, and advocates such as Pam Kravetz, Moe Rouse, Mollie Watson of Q102 and Cincinnati Animal CARE’s new Associate Director of Strategic Growth, and Chuck Patton, owner of Purrfect Day Café. Watson will also broadcast live throughout the event on Cincinnati’s Q102, bringing listeners directly into the overnight experience and offering prizes to those who donate.
The evening will be filled with interactive, high-energy fundraising activities, including rapid-fire donation challenges, themed games, and social media engagement opportunities. Participants will move through a full night of programming, from kennel setup and kickoff games to group activities, movies, a midnight donation push, and a sunrise breakfast and pack walk to close out the experience.
Supporters can also participate from home. Foster families are encouraged to join virtually by spending the evening with their foster pets while fundraising and sharing their stories online.
“This is a fun, creative way to rally support, but the impact is very real,” said Lisa Colina, Senior Manager of Community Engagement at Cincinnati Animal CARE. “Every dollar raised helps us provide medical care, behavioral support, and ultimately a path to adoption for animals who need it most.”
Funds raised through Shelter Slumber Pawty will directly support Cincinnati Animal CARE’s lifesaving programs, including care for animals with medical and behavioral needs, enrichment and quality-of-life initiatives, and community-based solutions that keep pets and people together.
Learn more or donate:
- https://cincinnatianimalcare.org/shelter-slumber-pawty/
- https://www.
shelterslumberpawty.com/ organization/Cincinnati- Animal-Care
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Media are encouraged to attend and capture the overnight experience at any time during the event.
Event Timing: Saturday, April 18 at 6:00 PM through Sunday, April 19 at 8:00 AM
Location: Cincinnati Animal CARE, Dane Avenue location (4210 Dane Avenue)
Live Coverage: Access to participants, adoptable animals, and behind-the-scenes shelter operations
Broadcast Opportunity: Live radio segments with Mollie Watson on Q102 throughout the night
Cincinnati Animal CARE is also available for pre-event interviews and live segments leading up to April 18 to help promote fundraising efforts and participant stories.
About Cincinnati Animal CARE
Cincinnati Animal CARE is Hamilton County’s only open stray-intake animal shelter and a rapidly growing organization committed to progressive, lifesaving practices. Since opening in 2020, the shelter has maintained a save rate of over 90%, achieving no-kill status while handling thousands of animals each year. CARE has completed more than 25,000 adoptions and provides both animal sheltering and dog warden services. The organization is powered by a dedicated team of staff, volunteers, and fosters; supported by national partnerships; and focused on community-based solutions that keep pets and people together. We do things differently—because we CARE.
