March Muttness, the nationwide virtual fundraising tournament benefiting animal shelters, returns in 2026 with renewed energy and an even stronger focus on the power of community giving. Hosted by the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, March Muttness brings together shelters, supporters, and donors from across the country in a month-long, bracket-style competition designed to raise critical funds for pets in need.
March Muttness 2026 invites participating shelters to compete in head-to-head fundraising matchups, advancing through the tournament as they rally donors and supporters behind their mission. The campaign is fully virtual, allowing shelters of all sizes to engage their communities, reach new donors, and generate momentum through a fun, accessible, and highly shareable format.
At a time when federal funding, grants, and traditional revenue streams continue to tighten, March Muttness offers shelters an innovative way to build new relationships, diversify fundraising efforts, and remind communities of the vital role local organizations play in saving animal lives.
The Fredericksburg SPCA is not only feeling the effects of a national fundraising slowdown, but after a dedicated three years of service, their Veterinarian in Charge, Dr. Pettry, will be relocating to another clinic in western Virginia.
“At Fredericksburg SPCA, every animal is spayed or neutered prior to adoption and receives age-appropriate vaccinations. In addition, more complex medical needs such as life-saving heartworm treatment, amputations, mass removals, dentals, and sick exams have historically been handled by our in-house veterinarian,” says Laurie Webb, Executive Director of the Fred SPCA. “As we are actively recruiting for this critical role, we will have to rely on fundraising to cover outside veterinary services for our shelter pets, which is significantly more costly per animal, and ultimately reduces the total number of animals we can help if funding isn’t secured.”
The March Muttness 2026 bracket competition officially opened on March 1. The Fredericksburg SPCA placed within the Top 32 in the Qualifying Round and will move on to the Round 1 bracket, opening at 11:00 am on March 5 and closing at 11:00 pm on March 7. A new local downtown business, The Barking Barley, will be hosting a March Muttness Round 1 event at their location at 1515 Olde William Street in Fredericksburg on Saturday, March 7, from 1:00–4:00 pm. Community members are encouraged to come out to the event to support the Fredericksburg SPCA, or, by visiting the organization’s website or social media pages and following the instructions to register as a donor.
Funds raised during each competition round will help participating teams advance through the bracket, while generating critical, life-saving resources for the shelter. All proceeds raised, less standard credit card processing fees charged to the shelter, will directly benefit the Fredericksburg SPCA and the animals in its care.
