Did you adopt your furry best friend from a shelter? For quite many of you, the answer to that one is probably a yes. We think that every pet deserves a second chance, and are always happy to see pets getting second chances. Shelters really do fill a huge gap when it comes to animal welfare. While there’s still room for progress and lots of work to be done, they have helped millions of homeless pets find loving homes. Shelters also rely heavily on donations and support from their local communities. One thing you can do to help? Make things for their furry wards! Read on as a Hiawassee, GA vet lists a few things that you can make for your local shelter.
Why Do Shelters Need Crafts?
Shelters always need basic supplies, like food, litter, and towels. Those staples are typically at the top of their wish lists. However, they can also use comfort items for their furry wards. Many of these things, such as beds and toys, are things you can easily make at home. This is a great way to upcycle things you aren’t going to use anymore, like that pair of jeans that don’t fit anymore or the tee shirt with a hole in the middle. These also make great kids’ projects.
Homemade Things For Cats
One thing we can say about cats: they’re actually pretty easy to please. While kitties do all have their own unique tastes, there are quite a few things that are almost universally appreciated by our feline pals.
Here are a few ‘pawsible’ options:
Kitty Tents And Teepees
Cats naturally feel more secure in small, enclosed spaces. This makes purrfect sense. Fluffy is both predator and prey in the wild, so she is always on the lookout for danger. Small spaces let our feline friends do what they love most: relax. Kitties often feel much safer when they know nothing can sneak up on them from behind.
You can make your pet a tent out of an old tee shirt and some hangars. Tee-pee style tents are a bit more involved, but are still pretty easy.
Catnip Mice
If we could ask our feline friends what their favorite toys are, catnip mice would probably be at (or at least near) the top of the list. This is a really easy one to make because you can use almost any sort of fabric or scrap. Plus, they’re inexpensive. Catnip is actually quite cheap if you buy it in bulk … and even cheaper if you grow your own.
As to making the mice, that’s pretty simple. (Note: they don’t even have to be mice. Fluffy really doesn’t care what shape her toys are!)
Start by cutting two pieces of fabric in the same shape. Stack them on top of each other, with the outsides facing each other. Next, you’ll sew the edges closed. You want to leave a small hole. When you’re done, turn it right-side out again, and then fill it with catnip, using that hole you left. When it’s sufficiently stuffed, close the hole up. If you have a kitty, give one to Fluffy. Then, move on to the next batch!
If you want to make a bunch of these, use a cookie cutter to outline the shapes. You can also make a cardboard outline.
Cardboard Boxes
We all know that our feline pals really love boxes. Box castles are almost always a hit with our feline pals. You can make these as simple or elaborate as you want! You may need to reinforce it with extra cardboard to make sure it’s sturdy enough.
Cat Towers
Cat towers are great for kitties, as they serve several important purrposes. They offer our feline pals napping spots, and also give them a place to do their nails. Kitties also get some exercise climbing up and down. Plus, cats often feel more secure in high places. That’s important for shelter pets.
There are quite a few ways to make these. You can upcycle an old bookshelf or stepladder. If you’re crafty and ambitious, you can make one out of a real tree, lumber, or PVC pipe.
First, make sure there are no sharp edges or splinters. Then, add smooth planks to make kitty lounging spots. Wrap the whole thing in carpet or sisal rope. Voila!
Homemade Gifts For Shelter Dogs
Toys are very important for Fido’s mental and emotional health. They can really help soothe and comfort shelter dogs. They also keep pups occupied, and offer mental stimulation.
Here are a few options:
Bedding
Beds are also often in high demand from shelters. There are quite a few ways to make these as well. The simplest is just to cut two blankets to the same size. As with the catnip mouse option, you’ll put them together, with the outsides facing in, and sew the openings closed, leaving just a small hole. Use a soft, safe stuffing to fill it. If you want to get a bit more detailed, you can add another piece of material to add thickness between the top and bottom.
Another option is to upcycle a sweater. The first step would be sewing the torso into an O shape. Leave the neck open, then sew the waist up. Next, sew the wrist holes closed, and fasten the arms to the torso. You want the arms to meet at the bottom, so keep this in mind when you’re folding and pinning. Use the neck hole to stuff the bed, then close it up.
Rope Pull
For this one, you would want to cut an old T-shirt or towel into thin strips. If you want to make it look nice, use a few different pieces of clothing. However, Man’s Best Friend won’t really care what his toy looks like.
Once you have the strips sorted, start braiding them together. Next, braid those braids together. When it’s the thickness you want, tie it off in a large knot.
There are also some variations on this: you can make them into circles, or braid in things like sweet potato jerky pieces. Another option is to work a tennis ball in.
Tips For Donating Crafted Goods To Shelters
Every shelter has their wish list and policies. Always reach out before donating—or even making goods. You don’t want to find out at the last minute that they don’t accept the item you were planning to bring!
Keep in mind that crafts aren’t the only way to help shelters. Financial donations are always extremely helpful. Your shelter may also need food, medicine, litter, or litterboxes more than toys.
Another way to help is to consider volunteering or even fostering. These can be fulfilling and meaningful ways to really make a difference.
Finally, do not offer anything that could be dangerous. Anything with small parts or sharp edges is a no, as are items covered in varnish, glitter, or dye. Items with ropes or strings are also unsafe. Ask your vet for more information.
Make An Appointment At Our Hiawassee, GA Animal Clinic
Is your pet due for an appointment, vaccines, or parasite control? Please feel free to contact us anytime. As your local Hiawassee, GA pet hospital, we are always happy to help.
