July 21st is "Craft For Your Shelter Day," a day that you crafty folk can give back through your love of crafting to benefit a local shelter or rescue of your choice. Actually, the entire month of July is open for this great way to give back!
Shelters and rescues go through MANY beds, blankets, leashes, collars, and toys as they see thousands of pets come through their facilities each year. I like to call these items "behind the scenes items" because people don't always think about them being an expense for the facility. As they rely on donations, cash donations are great. Still, these behind-the-scenes items are just as necessary to keep them thriving and will allow them to use their funds on more vital bills, like keeping the lights on and paying medical expenses on the animals in their possession.
So, if you have some material just lying around that you're not sure what to do with, give a local shelter or rescue a call and see if they would accept homemade items and ask which ones they need the most. Once they give you the go-ahead, get that sewing hat on and make some crafts for a local shelter tonight!
Some of the items you might be making are beds, blankets, pillow covers, leashes and collars, and even "Adopt Me" bandanas for the pets to wear at adoption events. Toys are also great craft items, but they are sewn with enough reinforcement that there are no loose pieces or small parts that can be ripped off, which will cause a choking hazard. Never use buttons or small plastic pieces, and it is best to create simple yet hardy items like a braided rope toy for dogs and a tassel tied to a dowel for kitties.
If you do not have material lying around, call some local fabric stores and let them know what you are doing. They may be willing to donate some scraps to you. If this isn't convenient, you may already have something in the bottom of your closet, like a Goodwill bag that has some old clothes, towels, and blankets you can use. Don't forget to wash them before crafting them up!
Here are some great ideas and instructions for crafting items for birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, and small animals. Remember, be sure to ask the rescue or shelter which items they will accept before you get your craft on.
Use hashtag #TracisPaws, and we'll feature your photo tomorrow!