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- calendar_today October 14, 2026
Unique ‘Pet Mayor’ Fundraiser for Everett’s Arboretum and Animal Shelter
Everett’s Evergreen Arboretum and the Everett Animal Shelter have teamed up to launch a creative fundraiser, inviting the community to participate in a ‘pet mayor’ contest. This playful election allows supporters to vote for their favorite animal candidates, with each dollar contributed counting as a vote in the pet election.
How the Fundraiser Contest Works
The contest, which kicked off in October 2026, gives community members the opportunity to support both organizations by donating. All proceeds are split evenly: the arboretum will use its portion to maintain and improve its gardens, while the animal shelter invests its share in the Fund for the Animals, providing veterinary care, medical treatments, surgeries, and vaccinations for pets awaiting adoption.
Renee Greenleaf, who helps operate the arboretum near Legion Park, explained that every contribution directly benefits the gardens. Lindsay Roe, development manager for the animal shelter, emphasized how the funding supports their mission to provide compassionate care to thousands of animals each year.
Meet the Pet Election Candidates
A diverse lineup of pets, including cats and dogs with names such as Squeaky, Dumpling, Walter P Wiggles, and Nora the Corgi Explorer, are vying for the coveted ‘pet mayor’ title. Each candidate features a photo and a campaign slogan on the official contest website. Some enthusiastic pet owners have even created campaign signs displayed throughout the arboretum to rally supporters and highlight their pets’ platforms.
Arthur the cat, for example, poses with a medal made from a cat food can lid and promises “Fish in every dish!” Meanwhile, Raisin the dog campaigns on a “bi-paw-tisan platform” with the slogan “a treat in every bowl, a ball in every yard!”
Prizes for Winning Pets and Community Engagement
The ultimate bragging rights aren’t the only reward for the winning pets. Victors in the contest—one dog, one cat, and one stuffed animal—will receive a sash, a professional photo shoot with their owners, a goody bag from a pet store, and a one-year membership to the Evergreen Arboretum.
To encourage robust participation, the fundraiser allows voters to make multiple donations, each dollar representing one vote. Notably, during the final stretch of the fundraiser, every dollar donated counts as three votes, increasing the impact of each contribution.
Goal, Progress, and Upcoming Family Fun Event
As of mid-October, the pet mayor campaign has raised approximately $12,600 towards a joint goal of $20,000. The winners of the election will be announced during the Evergreen Arboretum’s Autumn Fest Family Fun Day, starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday. This event will also serve as a celebration of community support for both animal care funding and garden fundraising initiatives.
Lindsay Roe expressed gratitude for the ongoing community engagement, stating, “Community support through events like this helps ensure we can continue providing compassionate care and positive outcomes for thousands of animals each year.”
How to Participate in the Pet Photo Contest and Vote
Anyone wishing to cast a vote for Everett’s next pet mayor can visit the contest site at gogophotocontest.com/petmayorsevergreenarboretum. Voting is open until 9 p.m. on Friday, with all donations supporting ongoing community fundraiser efforts for the arboretum and animal shelter.
Source: heraldnet.com.
