Chewy Claus Funds Free Pet Adoptions

Chewy's holiday letter-writing campaign returns, with adoption fees covered at participating shelters December 11 through 17.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Pets — General

Bold vector editorial illustration of a cream envelope on a sage field, with a pawprint-shaped window glowing warm ochre, evoking a holiday wish for a pet's new home.
Chewy is funding free pet adoptions at participating shelters from Dec. 11 to 17 through its relaunched Chewy Claus letter-writing campaign, with each letter helping cover adoption fees. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Chewy has relaunched its Chewy Claus holiday letter-writing campaign, in which each letter submitted helps fund a free pet adoption. Chewy will cover adoption fees at hundreds of participating shelters from Dec. 11 to 17, in partnership with Greater Good Charities.

Why it matters

Finding a permanent home has been one of the most common wishes written to Chewy Claus, and the campaign targets that need. Nearly 7.5 million cats and dogs are projected to enter shelters in 2026, putting pressure on adoption resources.

Chewy donates $5 in food and supplies to Greater Good Charities for every Holiday Shop purchase, up to a $10 million cap. The campaign spotlights Raybans, a shy dog in foster care with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Washington, who has waited 578 days for adoption.

The players

Chewy

Chewy is an online retailer of pet food and supplies that runs the Chewy Claus holiday campaign.

Greater Good Charities

Greater Good Charities is a nonprofit partner receiving Chewy's Holiday Shop donations for pet food and supplies.

The details

Consumers submit letters to Chewy Claus between Nov. 2 and Dec. 24, and each letter helps fund a free pet adoption. The campaign includes its first national TV spot and brings the Chewy Claus Dream Express to Miami and Los Angeles.

Timeline

  1. Letter submissions run from Nov. 2 through Dec. 24.

  2. Chewy covers adoption fees at participating shelters Dec. 11-17.

Seasonal Patterns

Projected shelter intake of nearly 7.5 million cats and dogs in 2026 means many animals will compete for limited adoption slots during the holiday season. Chewy's campaign directs donor-funded adoption fees into that period to shift a share of that load toward homes.

Readers who want to adopt can check whether a participating shelter near them is covered during the Dec. 11-17 window, when Chewy covers adoption fees. Letters can be submitted through Dec. 24 for those who want to take part in the campaign.

The takeaway

Adoption fees are a real barrier for many families, so checking whether a local shelter is participating in the Dec. 11-17 window can lower the cost of bringing a pet home.

What happens next

Letter submissions close Dec. 24, and adoption fee coverage runs Dec. 11-17 at participating shelters.

Further reading

Explore more on Pets — General for additional context on animal adoption and shelter care.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Petfood Industry Community.

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