What is the most budget-friendly way for a rescue or shelter to buy dog chews? Buy natural chews in the largest bulk count your shelter will use in a month or two, because the cost per chew drops as the count goes up. At today's prices on ValuePetSupplies.com, our bully sticks run from $1.20 to $3.40 per chew in bulk packs, with free shipping to US48 street addresses and no account needed.
Rescues and shelters stretch every dollar. Chews come up in three places: something for dogs to work on in their kennels, a small take-home gift for adopters, and a fundraising table at adoption events. This guide covers what to buy, what it costs per chew, how to plan a monthly order, and how pre-bagged packs can turn into a simple fundraiser.
Which bulk chews give a shelter the lowest cost per chew?
Here are today's prices on ValuePetSupplies.com for bulk packs that fit a shelter budget. All ship free to US48 street addresses.
| Chew | Pack | Price | Cost per chew |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra thin 5.5-6" bully sticks (small dogs) | 200 count | $239.99 | $1.20 |
| Thin 6" bully sticks (small dogs) | 100 count | $149.99 | $1.50 |
| Beef cheek slices, thick 4-6" | 120 count | $223.99 | $1.87 |
| Medium 6" bully sticks | 100 count | $215.98 | $2.16 |
| Thick 6" bully sticks (large dogs) | 100 count | $339.99 | $3.40 |
| Beef lung cubes (small rewards) | 10 pounds | $171.99 | $17.20 per pound |
Cost per chew is the pack price divided by the count, rounded to the cent. Most shelters can cover their dogs with one small-dog size, one medium size, and a thicker option for big, strong chewers. Lung cubes are small, so they work for rewards during walks, handling or volunteer training sessions.
How many chews should a shelter order each month?
Start with your dog count and how often each dog gets a chew. The numbers below are example numbers to show the math for a shelter with about 40 dogs, each getting a chew twice a week. That comes to roughly 350 chews a month, so each option below buys 400.
| How you buy 400 chews | Packs | Total cost | Cost per chew |
|---|---|---|---|
| All medium bully sticks | 4 × medium 100 count | $863.92 | $2.16 |
| Small, medium and large mix | 1 × extra thin 200 count, 1 × medium 100 count, 1 × thick 100 count | $795.96 | $1.99 |
| Small and medium mix | 1 × extra thin 200 count, 2 × medium 100 count | $671.95 | $1.68 |
Match the mix to the dogs you actually house. If most of your dogs are small, more of your order can be the lower-cost thin sizes. Most in-stock orders ship from our Livingston, Tennessee warehouse the same business day, with typical delivery in 2-7 business days via USPS, FedEx or UPS, so reorder when you're down to about two weeks of chews.
What chew rules work in a shelter?
Shelters see dogs of every size, age and history, so a written routine helps every shift and every volunteer do it the same way.
- Check with your medical staff first. Ask your vet or medical team which dogs should skip chews, such as dogs on special diets or dogs with food allergies.
- One dog, one chew, one space. Give chews in each dog's own kennel or run, not in shared play yards, to avoid squabbles.
- Match the size to the dog. Use thin sticks for small dogs and medium or thick sticks for larger dogs.
- Supervise and pick up. Have staff or trained volunteers watch chew time and remove small leftover ends when it's over.
- Write it on the kennel card. Note "chews OK" or "no chews" so volunteers know at a glance.
Can chews help with adoptions and fundraising?
Yes, in two simple ways.
- An adoption take-home bag. A chew the dog already likes, plus a handful of small rewards, is a nice welcome-home touch. As example numbers to show the math: one medium bully stick ($2.16) plus 2 ounces of beef lung cubes (about $2.15) comes to about $4.31 per bag.
- A chew table at adoption events. Pre-bagged resale packs arrive ready to set out, so volunteers don't have to bag anything. Supporters buy a bag, and the difference between your cost and the price goes to your dogs.
Here is what a chew table could raise. The prices are example numbers to show the math, not suggested prices.
| Resale pack | Pack price | Cost per bag | Example price per bag | Raised per bag | Raised if all 80 bags sell |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thin 6" bully sticks, 80 bags of 5 | $399.99 | $5.00 | $10.99 | $5.99 | $479.21 |
| Medium 6" bully sticks, 80 bags of 5 | $518.98 | $6.49 | $12.99 | $6.50 | $520.22 |
Cost per bag is the pack price divided by 80 bags. "Raised if all 80 bags sell" is 80 times your price, minus the pack price. Browse all our resale packs, including bully stick resale packs, collagen chew resale packs and yak cheese resale packs, to give supporters a second option.
Frequently asked questions
Do rescues and shelters need an account to buy bulk chews?
No. Anyone can buy bulk packs and resale packs directly on ValuePetSupplies.com with no account, with free shipping to US48 street addresses. If your rescue runs a retail shop and resells chews in volume, approved resellers get wholesale pricing and 400-count wholesale packs, with a $500 minimum order.
Can supporters send chews straight to our shelter?
Yes. Supporters can order any bulk pack on ValuePetSupplies.com and enter your shelter's street address at checkout. Shipping is free to US48 street addresses. Sharing a link to the exact pack you use makes it easy for donors to send the right size.
Can we put our rescue's name on the chew bags we sell?
Yes. Our private label program offers custom printed labels or bags, and exclusive pricing for high-volume buyers. Tell us about your plans on our private label page and our team will follow up.
Ready to stock up?
- Buy bulk direct, no account needed. Shop medium bully sticks in a 100 count pack or extra thin bully sticks in a 200 count pack with free shipping to US48 street addresses. Use code VPS15 for 15% off sitewide, excludes wholesale.
- Running a chew table or a rescue shop? Shop pre-bagged resale packs, or apply for a wholesale account for wholesale pricing and 400-count wholesale packs ($500 minimum order).
- Want your rescue's name on the bag? We offer custom printed labels or bags. Tell us about your private label plans.
Our take
Rescues and shelters do a lot with a little, and chews are one place where buying smart goes a long way. Pick one small-dog size and one medium size in bulk, write down a simple chew routine, and track how many you use for a month. Once you know your number, order in bigger counts to bring the cost per chew down, and let a few bags of resale packs on an event table help pay for the rest.
— The ValuePetSupplies family, Livingston, TN
Questions?
Call our Tennessee team at 800-825-8373 or email support@valuepetsupplies.com. We've been helping pet businesses and organizations stock natural chews since 2004.