Red Deer & District SPCA

The History Behind Pennies for Paws

Pennies for Paws began in 1996, when local businessman, Don Hollman, collected 25,722 pennies that people had left behind. He glued them together to create the original penny trophy.

Why Pennies?

The Pennies for Paws Program is based on the concept that, for many people, pennies have no real value – what can you buy for a penny? Usually nothing. Sadly, many people hold the view that pets, like pennies, have no value and may be easily cast aside, left behind, or abandoned. The goal of Red Deer & District SPCA is to demonstrate that all things have value!

By working together and gathering pennies or other spare change, students can make a difference for many of the pets that enter the facility each year. With this program, it is our hope to increase awareness of the value of all things, and to provide children and youth with an opportunity to actively engage in the community and work towards a solution of a community issue.

Program Goals

As with all Humane Education, the goals of the Pennies for Paws program are to:

• teach the value of ALL things
• promote a kind and caring society
• increase awareness of our "Throw Away" attitudes, and how we contribute to it.
• Increase awareness that we can change our ways of thinking and acting.
• Teach respect for the environment, for animals, for oneself.

Where Does the Money Go?

Red Deer & District SPCA relies heavily on donations from supporters of all ages. Monies raised through the Pennies for Paws program aids in the general operating expenses involved in the care of the pets at the facility including:

• Medications
• Cleaning Supplies
• Food and food dishes
• Grooming supplies
• Toys
• Cat litter and litter boxes

If you are interested in other items that the facility requires, please click here.

Program Information

• Penny collection takes place anytime between September 1st and May 31st of each school year.
• Coins of any denomination can be collected. 
• The school that collects the most pennies overall will have the trophy to display in the school for half of the year. The school name and year will be inscribed on a brass plaque.
• The school that collects the most pennies per capita will have the trophy to display in the school for the balance of the year.
• By May 31st, we ask that you bring in your pennies to our facility or contact us and we will gladly pick them up!

Getting Started

We recognize that every school is different and we encourage you to let your creativity shine! To assist you in getting started, here are a few suggestions to help you begin!

• Coin Collection: You will need something to hold the coins you collect. Some ideas include using a wagon in the classroom, a small treasure chest, recycled coffee cans or jars decorated and placed in each classroom or in some central location.
• Organization: Is this a school wide effort, a class, individual or group project? The possibilities are numerous and it’s up to you! Organize a week or month-long blitz to keep the focus strong.
• How would you like to start the program? We can help by joining you at a kick-off assembly for the entire school or in your classroom. This helps to heighten awareness regarding the program, where the money goes, the facility, and its programs.
• Construct a "Pets on Parade" bulletin board for students to post pictures and descriptions of their own pets.
• Incorporate "Pet Fact of the Day" into morning announcements as an opportunity to teach students and staff and to increase their awareness of Red Deer & District SPCA and the pets at the facility.
• Invite Red Deer & District SPCA Staff to your school for a variety of Humane Education Presentations. Educational materials and videos are available at the facility.