DIY Shelter beds and toys
make our shelter beds
Make a cozy bed for a shelter cat or dog!
Catnip Toys
Save leftover fabrics and batting to make simple sewn catnip pouches. Just add a little sprinkle of catnip! If you live in the Manhattan area, please contact us for supplies if you can stuff these at home. (no sewing required!)
DIY Catnip Toy Socks
Collect a bunch of clean, gently used or new socks and layer polyfil and light catnip. A chopstick can help to push down the filling and add until it feels like a soft pillow. Make sure you have room at the end to tie a knot. You have just made a shelter cat very happy.
Rabbit & Guinea Pig Rolls
Take a TP roll and fold in the cardboard on 1 side to make a bottom. Then, stuff it with as much Timothy Hay as you can. Add a couple Vitacraft or Kaytee rabbit/guinea pig treats throughout. That's it! OPTIONAL: If you want to make your rolls even more fun and still edible: use brown uncoated & unwaxed Craft Paper, Jute Twine, & Non-Toxic Markers. Cut craft paper to go around TP roll, cut twine and tie off on each side. Take markers and write messages or designs with notes to help bunnies and guinea pigs get adopted. Final product should look like a tootsie roll! Suggested Supplies
Dog Tug Toys
Braid 3 strips of fleece or t-shirts. Each strip is 3 inches wide and approximately 45-60 inches long. Suggested supplies.
Add a Patch to a Shelter Bed!
If you are sewing shelter cat and dog beds at home, we are asking all our volunteers to please add a patch with our name on it so the shelter knows we sent them! Here are 3 easy ways to do this. 1) Take a non-toxic fabric marker and draw a heart with our name in it directly on the bed. 2) Sew a piece of muslin or light fabric onto the bed and then add our name in a heart with fabric marker. 3) Sew a heart onto the bed itself. To the left are examples!
NOT CRAFTY?? DONATE TOWELS!
Any animal shelter always needs TOWELS! Whether you are ready to replace your old ones or want to buy them new from our Wish List HERE (for NYC) - TOWELS are always welcome and appreciated! You can also start a TOWEL DRIVE on your own with neighbors, friends, colleagues or classmates!
Ways kids can help shelter animals!
Start a drive at your school
Start a drive at your school
Start a drive at your school
Collect towels, blankets, sheets, pillowcases, and any machine washable fabrics that are cozy for animals to sleep on at the shelter.
Collect tennis balls
Start a drive at your school
Start a drive at your school
Dogs love to chase them and it's a great way for them to stay active.
Gather stuffed animals
Start a drive at your school
Gather stuffed animals
These “cuddle buddies” provide comfort and warmth for kittens and cats in their cages in a stressful shelter environment.
Collect Food and Toys
Create an Animal Welfare club
Gather stuffed animals
Students & parents can collect toys, canned food & treats for shelter animals.
Create an Animal Welfare club
Create an Animal Welfare club
Create an Animal Welfare club
Join with animal loving friends and find ways to promote animal compassion
in your community. Encourage your school cafeteria to serve more vegetarian and vegan options.
Have a Fundraiser
Create an Animal Welfare club
Create an Animal Welfare club
Have a bake sale or throw a party with proceeds going to purchase toys and treats for your local shelter.
Please donate
Your donation will help us to bring beds, toys and treats to NYC shelter animals waiting for their forever homes.
