What to Buy for an Adoption Day

An adoption day needs more than tables and animal enclosures. You need separate supplies for safe transport, clean stalls, feeding, visitor service and adoption paperwork. Plan quantities around the number of participating animals and expected visitors, then check what the venue already provides before shopping. Buy disposable and animal-care items at least three days ahead, and prepare coolers, water tubs, bowls and towels on the morning of the event.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 50
Counter tableqty 2
Clothing rack
Storage cabinetsqty 3

Animal care

Animal enclosuresqty 15
Transport basketsqty 10
Collarsqty 10
Linesqty 10
Water tubsqty 20
Feed bowlsqty 20
Litter boxesqty 8
Clean cat litter boxesqty 4
Animal brushesqty 6
Towelsqty 30
Animal matsqty 15
Toysqty 20
Dog waste bag dispensersqty 4

Tableware

Platesqty 60
Mugsqty 60
Glassesqty 60
Cutlery setsqty 60
Serving traysqty 6

Kitchen

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Thermos flasksqty 4
Coolersqty 4
Cutting boardsqty 3
Knivesqty 6
Scissorsqty 4
Pliersqty 6

Equipment

Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Handheld microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Decorations

Information boardsqty 12
Directional signsqty 8
Name card holdersqty 20
Buntingqty 6
Tableclothsqty 8
Flower arrangementsqty 6

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 3
Cleaning spongesqty 10

Safety

Animal fencingqty 12
Cable matsqty 6
Fire extinguishersqty 2
First aid kitsqty 2

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Black tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 8 pieces
- Cola - 6 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Sinas - 4 bottles
- Ice tea - 4 bottles
- Spa Blauw - 8 bottles
- Spa Red - 4 bottles
- Apple juice - 4 packs
- Orange juice - 4 cartons
- Ice cubes - 8 bags
- Stir sticks - 2 boxes
- Paper napkins - 8 packs
- Paper cups - 100 pieces
- Paper Plates - 100 pieces
- Wooden forks - 100 pieces
- Wooden spoons - 100 pieces
- Mini sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Whole grain bread - 6 loaves
- White rolls - 60 pieces
- Whole wheat rolls - 60 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Strawberry jam - 2 jars
- Mayonnaise - 1 bottle
- Mustard - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Cucumbers - 10 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 5 kilo
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Mandarins - 5 kilos
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 3 packs
- Vegan cookies - 3 packs
- Muesli bars - 60 pieces
- Animal feed - 15 kilos
- Wet food for animals - 30 tubs
- Cat litter - 40 kilos
- Hay straw - 4 bales
- Animal treats - 10 bags
- Chews - 30 pieces
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 4 bottles
- Floor cleaner - 3 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- Animal-safe cleaner - 4 bottles
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 4 rolls
- Dog waste bags - 20 rolls
- Nitrile gloves - 4 boxes
- Paper towels - 6 packs
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Freezer bags - 2 boxes
- Name stickers - 150 pieces
- Ballpoint pens - 30 pieces
- Printer paper - 2 packs
- Envelopes - 100 pieces

Tips

Pack one transport basket, collar and line for each animal, plus at least two spare baskets and collars for replacements or unexpected arrivals.
Prepare one water tub and one feed bowl per enclosure, then add two spare sets. Bring enough fresh water and feed for the full event plus one extra feeding.
Use at least two clean towels per animal for transport, spills or drying, and place a mat in every enclosure before the animals arrive.
For visitor service, count one plate, mug, glass and cutlery set per expected guest, then add 10% extra. Bring serving trays and keep drinks in coolers until needed.
Print adoption contracts and prepare one complete file per registered animal at least one day before the event. Keep scissors, knives, cutting boards and labels together so setup does not delay the first interviews.

Frequently asked questions

What supplies do I need for an adoption day?: You need animal enclosures, transport baskets, collars, lines, water tubs, feed bowls, litter boxes, mats, towels and toys. Also prepare tables, chairs, visitor tableware, drinks equipment and one adoption file with contract per participating animal.
How many animal enclosures do I need for adoption day?: Plan one clearly labelled enclosure for each participating animal, with separate space where animals cannot safely share. Add at least one spare enclosure if the venue and transport capacity allow it.
How much tableware should I buy for an adoption event?: Count one plate, mug, glass and cutlery set per expected guest, then add 10% extra. For 50 guests, prepare 55 of each item unless you are using washable tableware throughout.
When should I buy supplies for an adoption day?: Buy disposable goods, litter, cleaning supplies and animal-care consumables at least three days before the event. Check inventory and assemble adoption files one day ahead; fill coolers and pack transport supplies on the event morning.

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