Sheltered

I've cast on a new project which I'll share when it's a little larger. In the meantime, I hope you will not mind if I share a few thoughts on our furry friends with you.

Chris and I visited almost ten shelters and foster homes before we found our new girls, Rainy and Rosie. Some were modern, spacious, and clean, where the cats were allowed to walk freely (unless they were sick or new Moms). Others were in houses or rooms in houses where quarters were tight, and the needs of the cats seemed to overwhelm their caretakers. Cages were stacked on cages, because the weather had gotten cold, people had turned over stray cats they'd been feeding outside on their back doorstep all summer, and the shelter or foster home just couldn't say no.

I have a tremendous admiration for the volunteers who must see all manner of atrocities, and work so hard to give these animals a better life until they can hopefully be adopted. I know everyone is busy during this time of year, but I want to ask you, if you can spare a few minutes or resources, to please encourage the volunteers at your local shelters and the pets they care for. Here are a few ideas:

• a small check is a big help in covering veterinary costs for newly rescued pets

• a gift card or certificate to a local pet supply store

• cans or bags of food, cat litter, treats, bones, leashes, toys. Most shelters feed their own residents with donations, but the shelter in our previous city also had a pet food bank where seniors with tight incomes or people out of work could come and take what they needed. The shelter staff told me that many, many times when people found a new job they'd come back and replace the food to give to someone else. If you know someone out of work who has a pet, you could also gift them directly.

• old towels and blankets. The animal control officer in our new town cannot get enough of these, for bathing new rescues, and making those cages a little more comfortable. This one is easy, doesn't cost anything, and you get the benefit of more room in your linen closet too.

• There is a group on Ravelry called Helping Hands for Homeless Animals. They knit or crochet blankets and toys to donate to their local shelters, and there is a KAL going on now through spring. A great way to use up those leftover yarns.

Thank you in advance for anything you can do, before or after the holidays. It will be greatly appreciated!

 

Our nativity set got a little crowded this year (click to enlarge)

Comments

[Chris]

Aw, who doesn't love the kitty nativity anyway?? ;) What a great post and great reminder - thank you. I'll link to this when next I post.

[Sara]

I would have never thought of giving pet food to the local homeless shelter - but, they do have pets too...what a great idea! Thanks!!!

[lori]

Great ideas on donations for shelters for the holidays. Hope you, hubby and all your kitties have a Merry Christmas!

[Sheepish Annie]

Excellent ideas for making sure that our furry friends are well-cared for this holiday season. I hope that you, Chris and the fluffy little ones have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year together!

[Kristen]

Wonderful suggestions. I need to donate to the Kitty Rescue where my daughter volunteers.

[Sonya]

I love your kitty nativity! I'll be sure to remember our local shelter.

[Bridget]

What a great post for Christmas! Thanks for reminding me and everyone else that gifts don't have to be big to be good.

Merry Christmas to you and everyone at your house!

[Felicia]

Merry Christmas :)

[Jodi]

Many thanks for the suggestions!

[Lynn]

It's nice to see somebody else post abt this! Three of my cats have come from shelters and these people are amazing! There is a senior group that knits 12x12 squares for them, which they love, but that size only works for the kittens. Any of the bigger cats or dogs just can't fit on them. So far I've knit them up 3 kitty blankets that they were THRILLED to receive. I also fill out those free trial pet food ads and when they come in, I save them up and deliver those to them as well. I have a big bag of acrylics and I'm using it up by knitting those blankets. It's a win/win/win situation, I'm not throwing out yarns that I would never normally knit with, I'm feeling really good knowing what I'm doing is helping out the shelter, and the cats get to be a bit warmer during the winter months.

Again, great post!

[kitkatknit]

I always give (year round) to our local pet overpopulation shelter. For Christmas I made 20 Critter Cozies in about 4-5 different sizes. Some I quilted, others just hemmed. All were made from polar fleece that I got cheap in the remnants bin at the local fabric store. Polar fleece washes and dries real fast. Our local POPP says that the pets show better and go to homes faster when they are shown comfortable and cozy on Critter Cozies. I also always donate old 100% cotton towels for bathing rescues.

[Sydney]

I thought I had replied to this but apparently not. Great ideas! I like the idea of a pet food bank. The nice thing about polar fleece is that you don't have to sew it. Also baby blankets from the dollar store make good blankets for smaller pets.