Get

In Your Inbox

Dogster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

March Muttness – The Ultimate Showdown Where Compassion Meets Competition

Share

Barking News March Muttness

Did you know that around 3 million dogs enter animal shelters across the US every year? Of those, around 25% find their way back to their owners, and approximately 13% are euthanized.1 Sadly, this number is going up each year. With the ever-increasing cost of living, more and more dog owners are finding themselves unable to care for their pets, resulting in many being surrendered or abandoned. Animal shelters are bursting at the seams and in desperate need of financial support.

Enter March Muttness

For the past few years, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona has hosted a unique program to incentivize shelters, humane societies, and rescue organizations from across the U.S. to boost their fundraising efforts. In a single elimination-style tournament, 35 organizations from across the country are competing to see who can raise the most donations. The teams with the highest fundraising totals advance through each round, all leading up to the championship! Every dollar donated helps shelters continue their lifesaving work while making the tournament even more exciting for supporters.

March Muttness Tournament

Originally founded as a bold response to the cancellation of in-person fundraising events during the COVID-19 pandemic, March Muttness has transformed into an electrifying annual tradition, proving that team spirit and generosity can change lives.

Last year, 38 participating teams rallied together to raise over $430,000, showcasing the unstoppable power of community-driven fundraising.

How It Works: Every Dollar Counts!

For March Muttness 2025, donations determine the winners! Every dollar donated pushes your favorite shelter closer to victory, giving them the competitive edge they need to advance.

Who will make it to the Final Furry 4 and claim the ultimate title? That’s up to the public and sponsors! Whether you’re cheering for your local animal shelter or simply want to make a difference for animals in need, now is the time to get involved.

March Muttness Round Two

How You Can Join the Action

As March Muttness 2025 unfolds, you can be part of this movement of generosity and friendly competition. Round 1 champions have already been decided, and Round 2 is about to begin.

To follow the action, check the brackets, and support your favorite shelter, head to www.MarchMuttness.org.

Round 2 runs from March 13 @ 11 AM EST to March 15 @ 11 PM EST. Only the teams that raise the most donations during this period will advance to Round 3. There are still plenty of sponsorship opportunities as well, so if your company or organization would like to get involved, you can learn more about sponsorship packages at: https://www.donorcharm.org/march-muttness-sponsors/ or by emailing partners@nonprofitexchange.org.

March Muttness 2025 Calendar


Did You Know? 

  • Our breaking news articles are included in our weekly emails. Don’t miss out on the latest and sign up for our newsletter below!

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything dog

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Dogster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

Marigold Shocks Her Owner By Delivering 17 Irish Doodle Puppies in a Single Day

The one question vets hate hearing as they ultrasound expectant canine mothers is “how many puppies are there?” The reason is that, on...

Dogster’s Weekly Photo Contest Winners: Out Adventuring (March 12, 2026)

Every week our team gets the privilege of sorting through our readers photos to choose what dogs will win this weeks contest! See...

Ask Dr. Paola- Help! My Dog Gets Reoccurring UTIs (March 9, 2026)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

DIY Repellents for the Dog Who Thinks Everywhere Is His Toilet

Dog urine and everything nice have a complicated relationship. One thrives, the other suffers, and if you’re reading this, you already know which...

More related

15 Fascinating Facts About Your Dog’s Eyes & Eyesight

The love that comes with having a dog as a companion is so wonderful, but the fact that we can’t talk with our...

9 Best Deep-Cleansing Dog Shampoos in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

Bathing your pet is probably not your favorite task as a dog owner, and your pet probably fights you every step of the...

Can Dogs Eat Whipped Cream? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & Info

Our dogs can eat all sorts of things we can. After all, they are omnivores just like us! However, that doesn’t mean everything...

8 Best Dog Ear Cleaning Solutions in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you don’t clean your dog’s ears, you increase the odds of them ending up with an ear infection. Most of the time,...

Keep reading

10 Best Fresh Dog Food Delivery Services in the UK in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

We all want to give our dogs the best possible food packed with healthy and species-appropriate ingredients, all while offering a delicious taste that will get our pup’s taste buds tingling. A raw food diet is one way to provide...

bulldog eating fresh food

What Human Foods Can I Feed My Diabetic Dog? 6 Vet-Approved Options

Dogs can get diabetes just like humans can. It typically happens when they’re older, but if your pooch isn’t in good health, it can happen at any time. Providing your dog with a quality diet and ensuring that they get...

dog eating carrot

9 Best Dog Foods for a Yorkie Poo in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

If you are the lucky owner of a Yorkie Poo, you are familiar with how such a large personality can come in a tiny package. There is no doubt you will be in search of the best dog food to...

Brown Yorkie Poo standing in the grass

7 Best Dog Foods for Urinary Health: 2026 Reviews & Top Picks

While urinary health isn’t a very popular subject, it’s critical to your dog’s overall well-being. Kidney stones and urinary tract infections can be very painful and dangerous to your dog. In addition to the trauma on your pup, certain types...

beagle puppy eating from a feeding bowl

10 Best Dental Treats for Dogs in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

Dental treats aren’t meant as a replacement for regular brushing, but your dog will love them, and they work as a good backup. They help remove plaque and tartar buildup, thanks to their abrasive surface, and sometimes the ingredients they...

siberian husky given a dental treat

Can Dogs Eat Cupcakes? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

People love to eat all kinds of sweets, including cupcakes. Most dogs are also tempted by sweets, so if you have a furry companion, you may wonder if they can eat cupcakes. In general, dogs can technically eat cupcakes just...

Can Dogs Eat Cupcakes

Can Dogs Eat Carob? Vet Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Every dog owner knows chocolate is a definite no-no to give your dog. Chocolate is toxic to dogs and should be avoided at all costs. Theobromine and caffeine are the main ingredients in chocolate that are unsafe for dogs to...

Can Dogs Eat_carob

10 Best Chicken-Free Dog Foods in 2026: Reviews & Top Picks (Vet-Approved)

Chicken is commonly found in many pet foods. It’s an inexpensive way to add lean protein and healthy nutrients to your dog’s food to keep them at their best. However, sometimes a chicken-free diet is necessary for your pup. If...

dog eating in a food bowl

Love Dogs? So Do We! Join the Dogster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




Sign up for the Dogster Email Newsletter