animal shelter
 

I decided to stop at our rural animal shelter to see if they could use an occasional pet blanket if I made one. I assumed with all the sewers around they probably had a group or groups that did something. They do newborns, cancer camps, nursing homes, etc. The gal said no one did anything-that they got their bedding from hotel, motels old towels etc. So I told them I would drop something off once in a while. I am retired and don't have much money. Would like to do fleece, etc but decided I could use my scraps, etc to make a few. I have to do something that is needed or wanted. I don't have storage room to make quilts for rainy days so I thought this would fit the bill and I will try to lawn sale to pick up material . Now I have to decide the size, maybe a hand towel size for cats and a bath towel size for dogs. ......any of you that do this have a suggestion on the best practical size?

Ask them what size the cages are and make them fit the cages. Also, don't forget all those tiny scraps you normally throw away. I throw them into a pillowcase from GW. When the case if full, I sew it shut and have a dog bed. I go to church with a vet and he takes them to the clinic. Says they always need dog beds.

I dropped off a bunch of polar fleece blankets at the animal hospital that saved one of the granddogs. I made a couple different sizes. Most were in the 24x36 range. A few were larger, in the 30x40 range.

My shelter is pretty happy to take anything. I used to make pet beds but started thinking that maybe laundering these could cause a problem. I did mention it to a staff member, and they did state they don't have the best laundry equipment. So I started making pet blankets out of flannel on one side and muslin on the other (a kind of warm/cool idea). I end up making them about 36"or so square. For larger animals, they can use them as is, for smaller then can fold them up easily. And laundry shouldn't be a problem. Some turned out pretty cute, so I embroider Made for (name of animal shelter) to show ownership.

I have seen people drop off sheets, etc. But the shelter also likes to get paper towels, cleaning supplies, etc.

Serita

It's very nice of you to take the time to help out the animal shelter. I'm sure they would love any help you can provide.

To keep costs down, I buy the flannel on sale from Joanns. After Thanksgiving, it was under $2 a yard.

I have made over 100 small quilts (sizes vary for cats and dogs- Doggramma listed good sizes) and donated to Humane Society and they were sooooo grateful to get them. I used cotton on one side and flannel on the other with batting. Check yard sales and flea markets for fabric as you can get some great buys.

They like towels too for bathing the dogs. Cats, not so much. I made my cat a sleeping bag when he had to stay over night. He likes to snuggle under quilts. Figured that gave him padding in the cage, smelled like home and he could snuggle in it. It was cold and raining when I picked him up so I just slid him inside and carried him to the car. Vet really liked it too.

I keep a bucket near my sewing area. When it is full of scraps I put handfuls on the cutting mat and cut them with the rotary cutter until they are all diced. Then make pillow cases of any size and fill them 3/4 full and sew them up. Then they go to an animal shelter.

I would definitely ask them what they need. They know better than anyone what works for them. I have dropped off my old towels and rugs and blankets and they were very happy to get them. I have some fabric that I will not be using, scraps from curtains etc and I never thought about them for the dog shelters. The dogs will have wonderful bedding if I make them that. Thanks for the ideas.