There are millions of pets in shelters all over the world.
While many of them are rescued from horrible circumstances and situations, shelter life can still be tough for them. Many pets are scared, nervous, and even sick, and they don’t have much comfort in the shelter.
Jennifer Halpern wanted to make the lives of shelter pets better.
She wanted to give them something special to cheer them up and, hopefully, bring them a little comfort. She established Pillows for Paws, which is an organization that makes blankets, beds, and toys for shelter pets.
Cindy Lu, a feline behavior supervisor at Animal Care Centers of NYC, explained how this can have a positive effect on many pets:
“Since the shelter is a very stressful environment that has all types of noise, people, animals and scents, a blanket can make all the difference in making an animal feel better. Instead of just lying down on a cold surface, a cat [or dog] can sprawl out or roll over on these comfy blankets, rubbing their scent on them.”
Jennifer saw a post in 2011 from the ACC asking people if they would make or donate cage covers.
She thought about how much of a difference something like this could make in the life of a shelter animal. She explained:
“This piqued my interest since it was something I could organize on my own time, plus bring like-minded, animal-loving people together for a good cause. The idea of creating physical items that would go directly to the shelter felt fulfilling!”
She added,
“[Toys] engage cats, dogs and rabbits so potential adopters can see these sweet babies show off their personalities. And, of course, the beds keep them cozy and warm.”
Jennifer also wanted to make sure that the things they were making for these pets were safe for them and would also make them happy.
She wanted to use specific materials and colors that she thought would bring more cheer to the shelter and, hopefully, to the animals living there.
She said:
“We always use fun, happy fabric, which also helps to pull people’s eyes to a particular animal,” Halpern said about the materials they use.
“When people see an animal happy and comforted, they can envision that animal in their home.”
Cindy also feels that this is important, and she believes the toys can also have an effect on how adopters see the pets and Interact with them. She explained:
“I believe they make our adoption rooms brighter and more vibrant, which I think helps make adopters feel happier and optimistic when they visit our care centers. I think it helps them visualize these animals in their home on top of their own furniture.”
Lindsay Freda, a volunteer adoption counselor at ACC, says that she has seen the effect that these blankets have on pets.
She works with a lot of cats and noticed that their blankets help make them more approachable and friendly. She said:
“Pillows for Paws toys and blankets make a big difference.”
Alaina Halpin, a playgroup coordinator at ACC, has also noticed how the beds, blankets, and toys have changed the lives of the pets at the shelter. She said:
“The rope toys were an important part of Butch and his in-shelter enrichment plan. He was a young, enthusiastic pup who often chewed and played tug with his leash. We added the fleece rope toys from Pillows for Paws as a necessity for part of his walk. Doing so, we were able to set him up for more successful walks, as he learned to engage with more appropriate items as opposed to mouthing at leashes, hands and clothes.”
Pillows for Paws also goes around to local schools and teaches students how to make treats and toys for animals.
Hopefully, this will inspire students to do it more often and help even more shelter pets. Jennifer explained why they do this:
“While we make our handmade toys with the kids, we can have a very organic conversation about what we are doing for shelter animals, the importance of adoption and compassion for animals. It’s a fun, crafty event so the kids love it and it’s educational at the same time. These kids will be in charge one day, so the more animal-loving people we have out there, the better!”
She also says that there are plenty of ways people can help shelter pets.
You don’t have to make blankets and toys to do your part. She said:
“There are so many ways to help even if [a person] isn’t physically going to the shelter. These toys and beds are our love letters to our beloved shelter animals.”
It looks like these pets are all a little bit happier thanks to the efforts of Jennifer, the shelter volunteers, and others. Their gifts may even help these pets find forever homes sooner.
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Source: The Dodo, Pillows for Paws
