Every Scoop Counts: Cat's Pride Pledges a Million Pounds for Shelters

CHICAGO, IL – May 06, 2026 – In a move set to provide massive relief to animal welfare organizations, Cat's Pride® has launched its “Go Big or Go Home” campaign, an ambitious initiative with a goal of donating one million pounds of cat litter to resource-strapped animal shelters across the United States. The campaign creates a direct channel for consumers to support shelter animals through their everyday purchases.

This significant philanthropic effort comes at a critical time for shelters, which often operate on tight budgets where the cost of basic supplies can dictate their capacity for life-saving care. By partnering with the esteemed American Humane Society, the initiative aims to tackle the issue from two angles: providing essential physical supplies and supporting crucial medical funding.

The Unsung Burden: Why Litter is a Lifeline for Shelters

For the 3.2 million cats that enter U.S. animal shelters each year, a clean litter box is a fundamental necessity for health and well-being. Yet, for the organizations caring for them, this basic supply represents a staggering and relentless operational expense. Cat litter is a constant, non-negotiable cost that can divert tens of thousands of dollars annually from other vital services like veterinary care, spay/neuter programs, and adoption outreach.

One shelter director reported their facility uses approximately 50,000 pounds of litter every year to care for around 700 cats. Another shelter manager noted that rising costs and supply chain disruptions have made sourcing affordable, effective litter a significant challenge, with some seeing prices increase by as much as 70%. When budgets are stretched this thin, staff are forced to make difficult choices, and the focus can shift from proactive adoption efforts to simply managing daily needs.

Large-scale donations of essential supplies like cat litter can be a game-changer. By alleviating this financial burden, the “Go Big or Go Home” campaign allows shelters to reallocate funds and staff time toward their primary mission: finding loving, permanent homes for the animals in their care. A clean, healthy, and low-stress environment is not only crucial for animal welfare but also makes cats more adoptable, directly contributing to better outcomes.

A Two-Pronged Approach to Animal Welfare

The strength of the “Go Big or Go Home” campaign lies in its strategic partnership with American Humane Society, the nation's first humane organization. This collaboration pairs Cat's Pride's massive product donation with American Humane's well-established Second Chance® Grants program, creating a comprehensive support system for shelters.

While Cat's Pride addresses the need for physical supplies, the Second Chance® Grants provide financial aid for life-saving medical treatments for animals that have suffered from abuse or neglect. This dual approach ensures that shelters are supported both logistically and financially.

“Our Second Chance Grants program exists to give animals in need a fighting chance, and the Cat's Pride Go Big Go Home campaign aligns perfectly with that mission,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane Society, in a statement. “Partnering with Cat's Pride allows us to extend our message to more people and connect more supporters with ways to make a difference for shelter animals.”

The involvement of American Humane lends significant credibility to the initiative. The organization holds a top four-star rating from Charity Navigator and the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, assuring donors and consumers that the partnership is built on a foundation of accountability and effectiveness. With reports indicating that as much as 91 cents of every dollar once went directly to its programs, the organization has a long-standing reputation for maximizing its impact.

Empowering Pet Owners: Every Purchase Makes a Difference

At the heart of the campaign is a simple and powerful mechanism that empowers consumers to become active participants in animal welfare. For every purchase of Cat's Pride litter—whether in-store at major grocery retailers or online at Amazon, Walmart, and Chewy.com—the company will donate one pound of litter to a shelter in need.

This “buy one, donate one pound” model transforms a routine shopping trip into a meaningful act of charity. It removes barriers to giving, making philanthropy accessible to anyone who owns a cat. Consumers don't need to write a separate check or navigate a complex donation process; their support is embedded in a purchase they already make.

To further deepen community involvement, Cat's Pride is encouraging cat owners to join its free Cat's Pride Club. Members can not only receive benefits but also nominate a local shelter to be a recipient of the donated litter. This feature creates a personal connection between the national campaign and the local communities where the support is most needed, allowing people to directly aid the shelters in their own backyards.

Corporate Responsibility in a Competitive Market

Cat's Pride's initiative is part of a larger trend in the pet care industry, where corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a key differentiator. In today's market, consumers increasingly expect brands to demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices and social good. According to a 2019 Nielsen report, 73% of global consumers are willing to change their consumption habits to reduce their impact on the environment, a sentiment that extends to social causes.

Several of Cat's Pride's competitors, including ARM & HAMMER™ and Naturally Fresh, have their own successful shelter support programs, having donated millions of pounds of litter and hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years. This landscape makes bold, transparent initiatives like “Go Big or Go Home” not just a philanthropic endeavor but also a strategic imperative.

By setting a clear, ambitious goal of one million pounds and partnering with a highly respected non-profit, Cat's Pride, a brand under the Oil-Dri Corporation of America, is positioning itself as a leader in corporate citizenship. The campaign not only addresses a critical need but also resonates with the values of modern pet owners, building brand loyalty that goes beyond product performance. As consumers become more conscious of where their money goes, initiatives that turn purchasing power into positive change are likely to define the future of the industry.