As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Terror Dog Squad focuses primarily on supporting charitable causes through our Ghostbusters-themed cosplay. While we prefer to dedicate our time and resources to fundraising and community events, we’re open to participating in birthday parties—especially when they align with or support meaningful causes.

If you’re interested in having us join your birthday celebration, please reach out! We’d love to explore how we can make your event fun and impactful while continuing to serve our mission of inspiring joy and giving back.

Requesting an appearance by the Terror Dog Squad is easy! Just reach out to us through our official contact channels—whether by email, Event Outreach Request Form, or calling us at 916-822-2368 —with the details of your event. Please include:

• Date and time of the event

• Location

• Type of event (birthday party, fundraiser, convention, etc.)

• Any special requests or themes

• Information about any charitable causes involved (if applicable)

We review all requests carefully to ensure they align with our mission and schedule. Once we receive your inquiry, a member of our team will get back to you with availability and next steps.

We look forward to hearing from you and making your event unforgettable!

Our members are primarily based in California in the Sacramento, San Joaquin, and Alameda County areas,  but we’re open to traveling for events depending on location, scheduling, and availability. For appearances outside our local area, we consider:

• The nature and purpose of the event (e.g., charity-focused, community-driven, fan conventions)

• Travel and lodging accommodations (if applicable)

• How many members and/or Ecto-themed vehicles are available

If you’re interested in having us at your event, feel free to reach out with the details — we’re always happy to discuss options and see what’s possible!

Not officially. The Terror Dog Squad is all about cosplay, charity, and community fun — we’re not trained ghost hunters (though we do look great pretending to be).

That said, some of our members are big fans of the supernatural and have done their own ghost hunts or visited haunted locations on their own time. So while we’re not busting real ghosts as a team… we’re definitely not afraid of a little paranormal activity.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your support helps us continue our mission of using Ghostbusters-themed cosplay to inspire joy, support charitable causes, and serve our communities.

You can support us in a few ways:

• Donate to the Squad: Costumes, personal props, and equipment are the sole responsibility of each individual member. Donations to the Terror Dog Squad support group-owned materials such as event props, displays, games, insurance, and travel expenses related to our nonprofit appearances.. These donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law and directly support our ability to show up and give back.

• Donate to Our Partnered Charities: At many of our events, we raise funds for local and national charitable organizations. If you prefer, you can make a donation directly to one of these charities through links we provide or at our events.

🔸 Bonus: As proud participants in Sony Pictures’ Ghost Corps Ghostbusters Give Back campaign, we want you to know that while your donations go directly to the charities we support, Sony Pictures’ Ghost Corps will generously match donations up to a total of $150,000 across all participating fan groups with a separate gift to the Starlight Children’s Foundation. This matching contribution helps provide Ghostbusters-themed hospital gowns to seriously ill children. Thanks to your support, every donation has double the impact!

• Support Us Through Fundraisers: We also raise funds through the sale of themed merchandise and by offering interactive games and experiences at our event booths. Proceeds from these activities help support our nonprofit’s operating costs — such as materials, repairs, and event logistics — or are donated directly to charitable causes. We always clearly indicate where your contributions are going at the point of sale or participation, so you know exactly how your support is making a difference.

• Spread the Word: Follow us on social media, share our posts, and tell your friends about our mission and events.

• Attend Our Events: Come see us in action at charity fundraisers, conventions, and community appearances.

• Partner With Us: If you represent an organization or business, consider teaming up to help amplify our outreach and fundraising efforts.

All fundraising efforts are conducted in line with IRS nonprofit guidelines, and we’re committed to transparency in how donations are used. If you ever have questions about where your support goes, just ask — we’re happy to share.

To join, all recruits go through a 60-day recruitment period, after which they can decide whether to pursue full membership.

During this time, recruits should:

• Be passionate about Ghostbusters cosplay and community service

• Be willing to volunteer their time and talents for events and charitable causes

• Commit to upholding the group’s mission of inspiring joy and giving back

• Maintain or work towards a Ghostbusters-themed uniform or cosplay that fits our group’s standards (inspired uniforms are welcome!)

• Be 18 years or older (due to safety and liability)

• Agree to follow the Terror Dog Squad’s Code of Conduct and Bylaws

• Participate respectfully and collaborate positively with fellow members, other groups, Ghostbusters franchises, vendors, and business partners

Once a recruit decides to pursue full membership, they must complete all remaining requirements, at which point they will be issued a Terror Dog Squad patch.

A full uniform typically means a complete Ghostbusters cosplay outfit inspired by the films, cartoons, comics, or video games. While many members wear classic flight suits with patches and gear, we also welcome Ghostbusters-inspired uniforms or cosplay that have an authentic, in-universe feel.

This can include costumes based on the many Ghostbusters films, cartoons, comic books, or toys—so long as they maintain the spirit and quality that represent our group. Common elements might include:

• Flight suit or jumpsuit with appropriate patches or logos

• Utility belt and gear props

• Boots and gloves

• Proton Packs or other recognizable equipment (not required, but highly recommended)

Our goal is to create an immersive and respectful experience for fans and communities alike.

We welcome young fans and love inspiring the next generation of Ghostbusters! However, for safety and liability reasons, official membership in the Terror Dog Squad is currently limited to adults (18+).

That said, children are absolutely welcome to participate in events alongside a parent or guardian who is an active member. Many of our members involve their families, and we love seeing junior Ghostbusters in action at community events!

Not necessarily! While the Terror Dog Squad is based in California and most of our events take place here, we welcome interest from passionate volunteers regardless of location. That said, active participation in in-person events may be limited if you're out of state — but we’re always open to finding creative ways for remote members to contribute and stay involved.

Nope! The Terror Dog Squad is 100% volunteer-based — we do not charge any membership fees or dues. Our members give their time, talent, and passion to help us bring the Ghostbusters spirit to life in support of charitable causes.

1. Go to our Membership Page: Navigate to the main "Membership" section of our website.

2. Find the Form: At the bottom of that page, look for and click "Interested Applicants CLICK HERE  to Apply".

3. Fill it out: Complete all the required fields in the form with your information.

4. Submit: Click the "Submit" button to send your application to our team!

At events, the Terror Dog Squad brings Ghostbusters to life by:

• Interacting with guests through photo opportunities and meet-and-greets

• Setting up booths with themed photo op displays and iconic equipment props

• Hosting themed games and STEM-inspired activities that entertain and engage attendees of all ages

• Spreading joy and inspiring fans through our authentic costumes and energetic presence, all while staying fully in character as Ghostbusters

Our goal is to create fun, memorable experiences that entertain and inspire, while supporting charitable causes and community engagement

While the Terror Dog Squad doesn’t always have full-sized Ecto vehicles at every event, some of our members do have Ecto-themed vehicles that can appear—subject to availability.

Whether or not an Ecto vehicle is present, we bring the Ghostbusters spirit to life with detailed props, authentic costumes, interactive displays, and creative photo opportunities.