The Gamers4Pets charity streaming marathon has launched its third annual broadcast to collect funds for the Confédération Nationale de la Défense de l'Animal, bringing together 240 live streamers between September 29 and October 4, 2026.
Created by Alexandre Cocquempot and presented by popular content creator Wartox, the six-day event features online creators broadcasting round the clock on the Twitch live streaming platform. All proceeds collected during the online marathon will go directly to support more than 270 local animal shelters and rescue associations affiliated with the national confederation across France.
Speaking to French news outlet 20 Minutes, Sandrine Fghoul, the president of the Confédération Nationale de la Défense de l'Animal, described severe financial pressures facing local animal shelters. She stated that local rescue organisations currently have a knife at their throat due to mounting operational costs, adding that the confederation hopes the Gamers4Pets fundraiser will help put a little butter on their spinach by providing much needed financial relief this week.
The charity streaming event has grown substantially since its inception. During its initial launch in 2023, Gamers4Pets raised 25,000 euros for animal welfare. By 2025, the Twitch broadcast had expanded its reach, bringing in 96,000 euros in public donations. For the 2026 edition, participating streamers and organisers hope to build on that success, aiming to collect even larger sums to assist rescue groups in distress.
Funding critical animal rescue operations
Fghoul explained that while the 96,000 euros gathered in 2025 provided a welcome boost, the sum represented an extra asset rather than a permanent solution for an organisation that is not wealthy by millions. She pointed out that the online donations enabled the confederation to manage emergency interventions without exhausting its core financial reserves.
Among the major animal welfare actions funded by the previous marathon was the rescue of Czechoslovakian wolfdogs in Creuse, a rural department in central France. The 2025 donations also financed the rescue of approximately 50 Australian Shepherds, a popular herding breed, which were subsequently transferred to various local shelters for ongoing care and placement.
Despite the success of online fundraising marathons, Fghoul stressed that local rescue groups cannot be expected to shoulder all operational expenses on their own, particularly when emergency cases arise. To assist struggling local groups, the confederation maintains dedicated emergency and rescue funds designed to release financial aid during urgent animal seizures or severe distress.
The confederation emergency fund frequently accounts for 300,000 euros in total expenditure, while its specialized rescue fund requires between 150,000 and 200,000 euros to operate. Because these emergency costs routinely exceed incoming donations, the national organisation has been forced to unlock its own financial reserves to cover the operational shortfall.
Escalating expenses and local shelter visibility
Explaining why animal protection groups require such significant funding, Fghoul highlighted the continuous increase in operational costs across the sector. When rescue teams intervene to save animals, the confederation must fund transportation as well as essential initial veterinary care upon arrival at local shelters, creating immediate financial obligations.
Fghoul noted that the local associations supported by the confederation are small regional entities that lack the public visibility of major national charities. While prominent organisations such as the Société Protectrice des Animaux, 30 Millions d'Amis, or the Brigitte Bardot Foundation enjoy widespread public recognition and established donor bases, smaller shelters rely heavily on targeted local support. The Société Protectrice des Animaux, established in 1845, is France's oldest animal welfare organisation, whereas local shelters often operate with limited resources. Fghoul encouraged members of the public to investigate the animal welfare groups operating in their immediate communities and offer direct support to local initiatives.
Emergency situations caused by extreme weather have further intensified the financial burden on rescue facilities. Fghoul explained that sudden natural disasters, including severe floods or the destructive wildfires experienced during the summer, can completely ruin local animal shelters and leave them in urgent need of rebuilding funds. To improve donation collection, the confederation has decided to take a more active public role. Although the organisation has been advocating for animal protection for a century, it remains relatively unknown to the general public.
Digital streaming and youth mobilization
Reflecting on the potential of online fundraising, Fghoul expressed hope that animal welfare initiatives could eventually match the scale of major digital events in France. In 2026, the annual French streaming marathon ZEvent raised nearly 32 million euros for approximately ten charitable organisations. While acknowledging that Gamers4Pets currently operates at a smaller scale, Fghoul noted that securing comparable financial support for animal protection would be extraordinary.
Fghoul highlighted the role of social media platforms in connecting the public to animal welfare causes, observing that digital networks allow supporters to receive immediate updates whenever a rescue operation takes place. However, she warned that social media can also have negative consequences, pointing out that certain viral videos spur sudden waves of pet abandonments when viewers buy animals impulsively without understanding the long-term commitments involved.
Despite those concerns, Fghoul emphasized that online initiatives demonstrate strong enthusiasm among younger demographics. Events like Gamers4Pets show that young people enjoy video games, but view playing for a worthy cause as far more meaningful. As 240 live streamers continue their non-stop broadcast through October 4, the confederation hopes the marathon will encourage lasting public support for animal protection across France.
