We all have birthdays (even though some of us try to avoid the topic). Did you know that Facebook has created an amazing fundraising movement that allows us to dedicate a birthday or any other life event to help rescue dogs and cats? 

Thanks to people around the world, thousands of dollars have been raised to support non-profits, including Hope For Paws, through Fundraisers on Facebook. Birthday Fundraisers are the most popular, but you can raise money for any event in your life. We can’t help but feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude for those who've dedicated their birthday or another special occasion to our furry friends. It's a simple gesture that helps us rescue and provide world-class medical care for animals. 

Today, we're going to share a few steps to create your own Facebook fundraiser. Don’t worry, it’s easy to setup and launch your campaign. In just a few minutes, you'll be on your way and supporting rescue animals. 

1. Open your Facebook account (or create one here)
2. On your homepage, find the Fundraiser option in the column on the left. Click on the Fundraiser button and then Select Nonprofit. If you don’t see Hope For Paws, just type our name into the box (hopeforpawscalifornia).
3. That’s it...Facebook will guide you through the remaining steps.

Don’t forget to set an achievable fundraising goal. Try starting with $150 or $200...you'll be able to raise the amount as your campaign progresses. 

The most important part of your campaign is to invite people on your friends' list and engage with them! The more people you invite, the more money you’ll raise. Don’t forget to share your campaign frequently on your timeline: remember that not everyone will see your first post. 

Are you wondering what to post? Try sharing one of your favorite rescue videos, tell your friends why you support animal rescue and try posting a few pictures of your pets. 

Most importantly, have fun, thank people as they donate and watch your fundraising total increase!  Your friends and family are donating because of you...don't forget to post frequent updates to share your gratitude.