One of the best ways to get involved with your local animal shelters is by donating whatever you can! Shelters are always accepting donations of all kinds. Aside from monetary donations, shelters often accept homemade crafts, pet food, and unused items you might already have in your house. Listed below are the best items to donate to your local shelter today! 

Things You Can Make 

Shelters often accept various home-crafted items. Be sure to check with your local shelter for what they will and will not accept before donating. For shelters that do accept homemade goods, compiled below is a list of easy-to-make toys and crafts that will bring joy and comfort to shelter pets. 

Crocheted dog mats 

Toys:

• Cat wands 
• Kitty cork toys 
• T-shirt knotted rope 
• Braided dog toy 
• Tug-o-war toy
• No-sew cat toys 

No-sew fleece blanket 

Bandanas 

“Snuffle” mat

Kennel mats for cats

Things You Already Have In Your House 

Many shelters will take items you already have lying around your house– however, they don’t accept just anything. Whatever goods you have stored in your home, make sure they are unopened, unused, or untouched by your and your own pet! Shelters will often accept items such as:

• Unopened dog and cat food 

• Cat litter 

• Unused toys 

• Newspapers 

• Towels and blankets 

• Leashes, collars, and leads

• Bandanas

It’s always a good idea to check with your local shelters before donating to see what their needs are, so that you can meet them! Many shelters will still accept whatever you take in for donation, but to be the most helpful donor you can be, always check first to see what your local shelter is in need of. 

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

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