If your child dreams of having a furry best friend, why not throw a birthday party that makes those dreams come true, without the commitment of a real pet? A Pet Adoption Birthday Party is the perfect blend of heart-melting cuteness and hands-on fun. Guests get to “adopt” their very own plush puppy, give it a name, create a collar, and take it home to love forever.
It’s a party theme that doubles as entertainment and party favour, making it a winner for busy parents and animal-loving kids alike. With a few creative touches, like an adoption station, themed treats, and adorable photo ops, you’ll have little guests wagging their tails with excitement.
Ready to start planning? We’ve rounded up everything you need to pull it all together, from decorations and games to treats and take-home gifts. It’s time to unleash the fun!
🎈 Planning more parties? Check out our Bluey Party Supplies, Wednesday Addams Party, or Shark Party Guide for more themed inspiration!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting DIY Party Central and helping us continue to bring you fun, creative party ideas!
Adopt-a-Pet Station Essentials
No Pet Adoption Birthday Party is complete without an official adoption station. It’s where the magic begins! This is the place where every little guest meets their furry friend for the first time, gives it a name, and proudly becomes a new “pet parent”.
Set up a pastel-coloured table with baskets of plush toys, fill-in-the-blank adoption certificates, and cute little pet carriers ready to go. You can even pop up a sign saying “Adopt-a-Pet Here!” and let the kids take turns choosing their new companion. It’s a heartwarming way to kick off the party and doubles as the ultimate take-home gift.
What to include at your adoption station:
- Cuddly plush animals ready for adoption
- Customisable adoption certificates
- Little boxes or pet carriers for each “adopted” pet
- Clipboards or mini-desks for kids to complete their paperwork
🎉 Bonus idea: Add name tags to each plush animal ahead of time to make the selection process even more special!
Shop the essentials:
Adopt a Puppy Party Favour Set
This all-in-one pack makes setting up your adoption station easy-peasy. It includes a huge selection of mini plush puppies, matching pet boxes, stickers, adoption certificates and more. Everything you need to bring the theme to life without scrambling for extras.
Stuffed Animal Adoption Certificates
These pastel-coloured boxes and official-looking certificates add a special touch to the experience. Kids will love signing their name on the certificate and carefully placing their pet in its new “home” to take away.
Mini Plush Animals
With a sweet mix of puppies, bunnies, bears and more, this soft and squeezable set is perfect for a smaller guest list. Each animal comes with a unique design so no two pets are exactly the same, perfect for making every adoption feel one-of-a-kind.
Invitations to Get Tails Wagging
Before the puppies are adopted and the cupcakes are iced, it’s time to spread the word! A well-designed invitation sets the tone and gets little guests excited from the get-go. For a Pet Adoption Birthday Party, your invite can feel like an official adoption letter, a pet tag, or even a playful flyer from a local animal shelter.
You can print your own, buy pre-made templates, or go digital with editable designs on platforms like Canva or Etsy. Either way, be sure to include the essentials: the party details, the theme, and a little teaser like, “Adopt your very own furry friend and join us for a tail-wagging good time!”
Extra tip: Pop in a pet sticker or a paw-print stamp inside each envelope for an added touch of excitement!
Shop the essentials:
Puppy Party Stickers
Great for sealing envelopes or adding inside invites, these colourful puppy stickers are the perfect teaser for what’s to come!
Mini Paw Print Stampers
Add a paw print to each invite or envelope for a fun and unique detail. Kids will love using these after the party too!
Pastel Blank Cards with Envelopes
A beautiful pastel base for DIY invitations. Perfect if you want to get crafty or include your child in the invite-making process.
Decorations for a Paw-some Setup
Now it’s time to set the scene! Whether you’re hosting the party in your living room, garden, or local hall, the right decorations will transform your space into the cutest little animal shelter on the block. Think paw prints, puppy balloons, and pastel bunting to tie it all together.
Create an “Adoption Centre” sign for your main table, hang paw print garlands along the walls, and sprinkle plush pups around for an extra cuddly touch. For tableware, go for soft hues with fun pet patterns—think bones, tails, and wagging tongues!
Ideas to try:
- A balloon arch in soft pinks, blues, and mint
- “Gotcha Day” signs and puppy print bunting
- Pet-themed tablecloths, plates, cups and napkins
- Footprint stickers on the floor guiding guests to the adoption station
Pro tip: Choose pastel tones to keep the theme feeling light, bright, and totally on-brand for little ones.
Shop the essentials:
Gotcha Day Decorations Pack
This all-in-one kit includes a paw-some mix of balloons and banners in matching colours, making it super simple to decorate your space with minimal effort.
Happy Birthday Dog Banner
Add sparkle to your space with this glittery banner, perfect for placing above the adoption station or party table.
Puppy-Themed Set
Featuring cups, plates, napkins and a tablecloth, this set is decorated with paws, bones and adorable cartoon pups, ideal for tying your whole theme together.
Activities to Keep Little Pet Parents Busy
With their new pets in tow, it’s time to keep those little paws (and hands!) busy. The best part of a Pet Adoption Birthday Party is how naturally the theme lends itself to creative, hands-on fun. From crafting collars to caring for their fluffy new friends, these activities are all about imagination, nurturing and play.
Set up easy activity stations that guests can rotate through, or plan a few guided group games if you prefer more structure. Bonus: most of these double as keepsakes or extra party favours!
Fun activity ideas:
- Make-a-collar station – Let the kids create personalised pet collars using beads, ribbons and pipe cleaners.
- Pet wash & grooming station – Provide brushes, mini cloths and pretend shampoo bottles so kids can “pamper” their pets.
- Vet check-up corner – Add toy thermometers, bandages and stethoscopes for a playful role-play experience.
- Name tag decorating – Simple card tags + stickers = the perfect little creative moment.
- Optional add-on: Wrap things up with a “Proud Pet Parent” certificate or snap a pic of each child and their adopted friend for a keepsake photo.
Shop the essentials:
Paw Print Temporary Tattoos
Easy to apply and fun for all ages, these paw tattoos are great as a standalone activity or as a reward at the end of each station.
Animal Headbands
Pop these on during play or for a group photo—instant fun and a hit with kids who love dress-ups!
Treats & Themed Snacks
No party is complete without snacks. A Pet Adoption Party is the perfect excuse to have a little fun with your food! You don’t need to be a star baker to pull it off, just a few themed touches go a long way.
Serve snacks with names like “Puppy Chow” (chocolate crackles or muddy buddies), “Fetch Sticks” (carrot or pretzel sticks), and “Kitty Litter Cake” (yes, it’s a thing—and a hilarious one at that!). You can also use cookie cutters to make bone-shaped sandwiches or decorate cupcakes to look like furry friends.
Pop everything on a pastel table with paw-print napkins and matching plates to keep the look cohesive and super cute.
Tasty themed ideas:
- Pupcakes with fondant dog ears
- Sandwiches cut into bone or paw shapes
- Milk served in labelled “puppy bowls”
- A “Treat Bar” where kids can scoop sweets into their own paper bags
Shop the essentials:
Dog Bone Cookie Cutter Set
Great for sandwiches, cookies or even pancakes—these versatile cutters add instant flair to any food.
Paw Print Cupcake Toppers
Turn any cupcake into a party favourite with these adorable toppers. No baking skills needed!
Dog Party Tableware Set
Featuring dog faces, paw prints and pastel colours, this matching set includes cups, plates, napkins and a tablecloth for easy, coordinated styling.
Paw-sitively Adorable Party Favours
The best part of a Pet Adoption Birthday Party? Every guest gets to go home with a brand-new furry friend! But don’t stop there. Round out the adoption experience with a bundle of cute, themed party favours that make the day feel extra special.
Think of it as a “starter kit” for their new pet: a mini toy brush, some puppy treats (aka lollies!), maybe even a little blanket. Add a personalised name tag to each pet, or pop it all into a cute little gift bag decorated with paw prints.
Not only do favours double as part of the party activities, but they also act as a lovely reminder of the day—long after the cake is gone!
Favour filler ideas:
- Adopted pet (stuffed animal)
- Mini pet grooming tools or accessories
- Puppy-themed stationery
- Stickers or temporary tattoos
- A photo of the guest with their new pet
Top tip: Choose bags or boxes that match your colour palette to keep things cohesive and photo-ready.
Shop the essentials:
Adopt a Puppy Party Favour Kit
This adorable set includes plush pups, adoption cards, pet boxes and accessories—all ready to pop straight into your favour bags.
Dog Party Goodie Bag Fillers
Bursting with puppy-themed trinkets, this set includes rings, stickers, stamps, and more—perfect for mixing and matching across your bags.
Mini Drawstring Gift Bags
These pastel drawstring pouches are ideal for holding smaller favours and look lovely displayed on your party table.
Picture Paw-fect Photo Booth
Let’s be honest—half the fun of kids’ parties these days is capturing the memories! A Pet Adoption Party calls for a dedicated photo area where your little guests (and their new furry friends) can strike a pose and snap a few keepsake pics.
You don’t need much to make it magical. A simple backdrop, a few props and a soft pastel colour palette will do the trick. Add a sign that says “Proud Pet Parent” and some pet ears or paw print glasses for instant giggles. You can even send each guest home with a printed photo as part of their favour bag!
What to include:
- A DIY or printed photo backdrop
- Paw-some props like pet ears, vet coats, glasses or name tags
- A mini signboard with cute captions like “I Adopted My Best Friend”
Top tip: If you have a Polaroid or instant photo printer, set it up so the kids can take their photo home on the spot!
Shop the essentials:
Pet Adoption Photo Props
This cheerful prop pack includes everything from puppy noses to “Adopt Me!” signs—perfect for dressing up photos in seconds.
DIY Photo Booth Backdrop
A fun backdrop will make each pic, this kit adds structure to your booth and looks great in both print and on the ’gram!
Final Tips for Hosting the Best Pet Adoption Party
By now, you’ve got everything you need to plan a paws-itively adorable celebration—but before you unleash the fun, here are a few final tips to help your Pet Adoption Birthday Party go off without a hitch:
Prep your adoption station first – It’s the heart of the party, so get it looking beautiful and organised before guests arrive.
Label everything – Name tags on pets, favour bags, activity stations—it helps things run smoothly and looks super cute.
Keep snacks simple but themed – Paw prints and bone shapes go a long way to making food fun and on-theme.
Let the kids take the lead – They’ll love choosing their own pet, decorating its collar, and filling out adoption papers.
Don’t forget the photos – Capture the joy on every little face (and maybe a few puppy selfies too)!
Planning a party around your child’s passions makes it even more memorable. And with pets, play, and a touch of make-believe, this theme is guaranteed to be a winner.
Planning more parties? Take a look at our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Party Guide, discover Where to Shop for Affordable Party Supplies, or get creative with a Backyard Camping Party for something totally unique!
Here’s to creating a day filled with giggles, cuddles, and memories that last long after the last paw print has faded.
Happy party planning! 🐾🎉
