How Chewy Claus Is Turning Pet Wishes Into Life-Changing Moments This Holiday Season

When Brooke Eby looked at her senior rescue dog Dray, she realized something crucial was slipping away. Living with ALS in her 30s meant her body was changing daily, and one casualty was something she cherished most — the simple act of walking her best friend. Wheelchairs and adaptive leashes didn’t mix well, leaving both Brooke and Dray longing for that connection they’d once shared. That’s where Chewy Claus stepped in, and their story kickstarted this year’s most heartwarming holiday campaign.

From Wish Lists to Real Impact

Since 2022, Chewy has been running an unconventional letter-writing program where pets submit their holiday wishes — paws, claws, fins, wings, hooves welcome. Over a million furry, feathered, and scaled friends have participated, requesting everything from cozy beds to second chances at forever homes. But this year, Chewy Claus is amplifying the impact in ways that go beyond the toys and treats.

Here’s the math that matters: For every wish submitted through December 24, Chewy commits to delivering five meals to shelter and rescue animals. If the submission comes through the Chewy app, that number doubles to ten meals per wish. In total, Chewy is funneling up to 16 million meals to pets in need this season, all part of a broader $10 million donation pledge to shelters and rescues nationwide.

The Story Behind the Custom Leash

Brooke’s struggle with ALS wasn’t just personal — it became the centerpiece of Chewy Claus’ 2025 campaign. When Dray submitted his wish, Chewy didn’t just grant it; they engineered a solution. A custom leash was created specifically to work with Brooke’s wheelchair, solving the tangling problem that had made independent dog-walking impossible.

“This leash is just showing him that I’m still there, still the same leash holder I’ve always been,” Brooke shared, reflecting on what independence means when your body won’t cooperate. That moment of reclaimed normalcy represented exactly what Chewy Claus aims for — celebrating the unbreakable bonds between pets and their people, no matter the obstacles.

In honor of this partnership, Chewy is donating $10,000 to Team Gleason, an organization supporting people living with ALS and enabling them to maintain quality time with their pets.

Beyond One Story: A Movement of Joy

Brooke and Dray aren’t alone in this year’s lineup. Fern, a people-loving duck from the Detroit area, is getting help throwing the holiday party of her life. Taylor, a senior therapy dog near Chicago, is receiving a multi-species retirement celebration. Hundreds of thousands of other letters flood in daily, each one representing a wish that Chewy Claus intends to fulfill.

The campaign philosophy is straightforward: dream big, give generously, and recognize that pets inspire resilience, joy, and authentic connection in ways humans sometimes forget.

Pet parents can submit wishes now through December 24 via the Chewy app or the Chewy Claus website. Whether you’re crafting a chewy letter to santa on behalf of your furry, feathered, or finned family member, every submission becomes a meal for an animal in need. Some pet parents are even choosing to skip their own gifts and redirect an additional five meals to shelter animals instead — turning the holiday season into a chain of generosity that extends far beyond their own homes.