How Much Is a Good Amount??

I wouldn't spend more than $10-$15.

We have an auction every year at my daughter's school and they always do the theme baskets for every class as well. They usually ask for everyone in the class to make some sort of donation to the basket, although I know not everyone does as I've refrained from donating myself (I'll explain why later), so it's very nice of you to donate at all. Given that, it's still a fundraiser for the school so you should donate what you think you can afford in the spirit of giving to the cause, not so much what everyone else is giving. I know some families who give Dallas Cowboy football game tickets, all day spa packages, and $50 gift certificates for restaurants 'cause that's what they can afford. On the other hand, I've seen other families donate a $5 gift certificate from Blockbuster, a box of microwave popcorn or a new set of measuring cups for their class' basket. While I tend not to donate to the basket, we always win something at the auction and consider that our "donation" as it's usually more than what the actual item is worth, so that's how we participate in the fund raiser. If I weren't able to go to the auction though, I'd donate the most that I could afford for the cause and if that's a $5 gift certificate or a $100 gift certificate, that's what I would do. I don't think the teacher or the people putting together the baskets really judge people's donations. I think they are just happy to have something to put into the auction worth bidding on. :-)

If I am reading your question correctly, it sounds like the whole class is making one basket with a dog theme. If that is the case, how many students are in your son's class? It is not fair for you to purchase a $20 gift card when everyone else is buying a can of dog food or a chew toy. If there are 10 or more kids in your son's class, I would think $10 would be ample. You might check with the teacher to see what they are aiming for the total value of the basket to be.

It really depends on what you want to do it for? You could buy stuff from the dollar store and make it too like a millon bucks!
And you got to think its not who you are its about who you are going to help. And how much you can afford!
Have fun with it. Get your kiddos involved and give them a money amount. Get them to help pick a theme.
Then go from there.
You could do a Crayola them.. All crayola Markers, coloring books,Paint, crayons. Then fluff it up with a cute basket and bow! Have fun!!!

You could get a cift card to the "Gourmet" Pet store at Stonebriar. I would think $20 would be enough.