Shelter Day shopping list

A Shelter Day needs more than animal food and welcome signs. You are setting up a safe visitor route, clearly marked animal enclosures, an information point and refreshments for volunteers and guests. Use the plan’s shopping list to check furniture, serving items, coffee equipment, power supplies and printed materials before the event. Buy chilled and perishable items close to the day, and reserve specialist equipment early if it is not already available.

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What to bring

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

Furniture

Party tentsqty 2
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 60
Reception desk
Animal enclosuresqty 12
Fence panelsqty 24
Clothes racksqty 2

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 100
Coffee cupsqty 60
Platesqty 80
Cutlery setsqty 80
Serving plattersqty 12
Pouring jugsqty 6

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Portable speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 6

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 3
Serving utensilsqty 8
Thermos flasksqty 6
Ice packsqty 12

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Balloonsqty 100
Buntingqty 6
Animal postersqty 12
Name badgesqty 80
Directional signsqty 12

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 4

Animal supplies

Water tubsqty 16
Feed bowlsqty 16
Drink bottlesqty 8
Leashesqty 12
Animal harnessesqty 8
Transport boxesqty 8
Litter boxesqty 8
Dog poop bagsqty 500
Pet towelsqty 20
Dog brushesqty 4
Cat toysqty 12
Dog toysqty 12
Animal barriersqty 6
Cagesqty 8

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Hand sanitizerqty 6
Disposable glovesqty 4
Warning signsqty 8
Flashlightsqty 4

Administration

Clipboardsqty 12
Ballpoint pensqty 30
Printer paperqty 500
Adoption formsqty 80
Visitor stickersqty 150

Cleaning

Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 6
Broomsqty 4
Dustpan and brushqty 4
Waste binsqty 8

Catering

Groceries
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea assortment - 4 boxes
- Sugar - 2 kilos
- Sweetener - 2 boxes
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 8 cartons
- Spa Blauw - 12 bottles
- Spa Rood - 6 bottles
- Ice cubes - 10 bags
- Croissants - 60 pieces
- Mini currant buns - 60 pieces
- White casino bread - 6 loaves
- Brown casino loaf bread - 6 loaves
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Back ham - 2 kilos
- Chicken breast topping - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 8 tubs
- Peanut butter - 3 jars
- Jam - 3 jars
- Butter - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Cherry tomatoes - 4 kilos
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snacks - 6 bags
- Popcorn - 6 bags
- Apples - 8 kilos
- Bananas - 6 kilos
- Grapes - 5 kilos
- Mandarins - 6 kilos
- Cookies - 10 packs
- Gluten-free cookies - 4 packs
- Vegan cupcakes - 30 pieces
- Whipped cream - 6 cans
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mayonnaise - 2 jars
- Napkins - 300 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 100 pieces
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Disinfectant cleaner - 3 bottles
- Toilet cleaner - 2 bottles
- Laundry detergent - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Coffee filters - 200 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Cardboard snack trays - 200 pieces
- Drinking straws - 200 pieces
- Cat litter - 6 bags
- Dog kibble - 10 kilos
- Cat kibble - 5 kilos
- Wet Dog Food - 24 tubs
- Wet cat food - 24 tubs
- Animal treats - 10 bags
- Hay - 4 bales
- Wood chips - 4 bags

Tips

Plan one reception desk, one set of name badges and enough printed animal profiles for every listed animal, plus a small spare stack for replacements or late registrations.
For refreshments, match plates, cutlery sets, serving platters, pouring jugs and reusable cups to your expected visitor count. Keep a separate coffee setup with coffee cups, kettles or coffee machines, and thermos flasks for volunteers.
Check the enclosure and safety equipment before shopping day: animal enclosures, fence panels and clear animal posters should cover every animal area and the planned visitor route.
Count electrical equipment as a complete setup, not as separate items. Each coffee machine, kettle, speaker or microphone may need an extension cord and a power strip, with cables kept away from visitors and animals.
Do not leave cooling supplies until the morning of Shelter Day. Chill perishable items in advance and prepare coolers with ice packs so food and drinks remain cold during setup and presentations.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to buy for a Shelter Day?: Plan supplies for four areas: animal safety, visitor reception, refreshments and event equipment. The checklist includes enclosures and fence panels, tables and chairs, cups and serving items, coffee equipment, power supplies, name badges and animal posters.
How many cups and plates do I need for Shelter Day?: Use your registration total as the minimum quantity, then add roughly 10% for replacements and walk-in visitors. For example, 50 expected guests means about 55 reusable cups, plates and cutlery sets, unless you have a washing setup during the event.
When should I buy food and drinks for Shelter Day?: Buy shelf-stable drinks, napkins and other non-perishables several days ahead. Chill perishable items on the day before or on the morning of the event, depending on storage space and the product instructions.
How many animal posters and profiles do I need?: Prepare one clearly visible animal poster for each enclosure and one printed profile for every animal on the list. Print at least 10% extra profiles so damaged pages, updates or late additions do not leave an enclosure without information.

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