Everything that we sell, goes right back into helping as many homeless animals as we can.  I am referring to animals that are in rescues, shelters and foster homes.  When we make something, every single clean scrap of fabric is used to help make beds, blankets, and other items that homeless animals can snuggle up to, or snuggle into, until they find their furever home.  

I would absolutely encourage you to do the same, if you have the time and means.  

How?  You can go to yardsales, rummage sales or even estate sales, and look for free boxes of fabric, blankets, towels, washcloths, sheets or clothing.  It’s best to only use cotton or cotton-blend materials.  No satins, silks, lace or mesh.   NO, it does not matter if the clothes are stained, have holes, are ripped or torn.  The animals won’t see them, and they truly don’t mind.  

Take the soft items home and wash everything in scent-free laundry detergent.  Don’t use fabric softener, or dryer sheets.  We want these to be as scent-free as possible, because animals have such strong sense of smell, some detergents can be very off-putting to animals and they may not use the beds or blankets.   Once you have fully dried your clothing/fabric, the next step is to go through all of it very carefully, and remove any buttons, zippers, tie strings -anything that can make the beds uncomfortable or unsafe for animals.

Take each item and start cutting little strips or rectangles out of it all, and put it into a box or a tub for later use once you get quite the pile of “scraps”.

If you happen to end up with a nice thick sweatshirt that isn’t torn, or blankets, towels with no holes, etc., feel free to use that to make the outside of the bed.  Sheets are fine too, but make sure everything is cotton, and not too thin.  We don’t want their little nails poking through the freshly made beds.  You can find all sorts of simple FREE patterns online that will show you how to machine or hand sew a simple bed.  They don’t need anything complex or fancy.

Once you have made your bed, leaving one 3 inch opening, start stuffing the bed with the scraps that you have cut from all the clothing/fabric.  If the bed is for a large animal, add more stuffing for firmness.  If the bed is for a smaller animal like a cat/kitten or small dog, you won’t need as much since they don’t weigh as much.  After filling your new bed, hand sew (slip stitch) the end, or use a straight stitch on your machine or serge to close the opening.

You are able to wash these beds in the washing machine as long as they are dried well.  I personally like to take it one step further and make a “cover” for each bed, so the workers at the rescues can easily remove the covers and wash them, then put them back on for easier use.

And it is as simple as that.  

If I could rescue all the animals in the world, oh how I would.  In the meantime, I make these beds, blankets, and other items to donate free of charge to local rescues.  I also take some from time to time on trips, and will donate to a rescue along the way.  Anything to help the animals.  Every little bit can help give them a better life, while they are here on earth.  Plus doing it this way helps keep old clothes and fabric out of the landfills and into the hearts of our little furry friends who are endlessly waiting for their furever home.  <3