If you share your life with a pet, you already know they deserve a little extra magic — especially during the holidays.
That’s where Chewy Claus comes in. Chewy’s festive, Santa-inspired giving program has returned for the season, inviting pet parents to submit holiday wish letters on behalf of their furry companions.
This year, the initiative is bigger than ever. Along with surprising pets with gifts, Chewy is donating food and supplies and helping make meaningful wishes come true for animals in need.
Pet parents can send letters to Chewy Claus through December 24. For every letter received, Chewy will donate one pound of pet food to its nonprofit partners, with a goal of up to 600,000 pounds donated overall.
While many pets may wish for new toys, treats, or a cozy cat tree, there’s also an option to “pay it forward.” Instead of requesting a gift, families can ask Chewy Claus to send that pound of food directly to animals in shelters.
This year, each submitted wish triggers a donation of five meals to pets in need. Wishes sent through the Chewy app double that impact, adding five more meals per letter. So far, Chewy Claus has helped provide more than 6.1 million meals to animals across the country.
“Many people who are struggling will feed their pets before they feed themselves,” said Lynda Marpole, who represents Care & Share, a pet food donation program that works alongside organizations like Best Friends Animal Society. “Our goal is to support families so pets can stay where they belong — at home with the people who love them.”
Marpole emphasized that pets play a critical role in emotional and mental well-being, making programs like this a win for both animals and humans.
“Chewy Claus is all about spreading happiness during the most joyful time of the year,” said Orlena Yeung, Chewy’s chief brand officer. “When we saw so many letters from pets wishing for homes, we knew we had to step in.”
Since launching in 2022, more than one million letters have been sent to Chewy Claus. Among all the requests for toys and treats, one wish consistently stands out: safe, loving homes for animals waiting in shelters.
“As the winter holidays approach, shelters across the country are full of wonderful dogs and cats hoping for families,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “Adoption is the single most impactful way to save lives, and initiatives like this make it easier for people to say yes.”
Those interested in adopting can visit Chewy’s website to find participating shelters and plan a holiday adoption.
With shelters facing overcrowding nationwide, programs like Chewy Claus offer a simple way to make a lasting difference.
“There’s no better time than the holidays to make a pet’s biggest wish come true,” Castle said.