Kids Can Help Animals Too!
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Craft Projects
Dog Snuffle Mat:
Snuffle Mat Supplies List:
- 2 Plastic Sink Mats
- 1 Yard of Fleece Fabric
- Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat
- Ruler or Measuring Tape
- Small Treats or Dry Food
Step-by-Step DIY Snuffle Mat Instructions:
- Cut the fleece strips. By laying out the fleece on a flat surface, use scissors to cut fabric strips 1-2 inches wide. Each strip should be about 6-8 inches long.
- Attach the fleece strips to the sink mat. Start at one corner of the plastic sink mat. Thread one end of a fleece strips up through a hole, and the other end up through the next hole over. Both ends of the strip should be on top of the mat. Tie a tight knot using the two ends of the strip. Do not double knot. If you have enough strips, tie them around the outer edge of the mat.
- Keep going until you fill the mat with fleece strips. Continue threading and knotting strips in each hole of the sink mat. Goal is to leave no empty holes.
- Fluff the snuffle mat. Once all the holes are filled and tied, turn over your mat and fluff up the fleece strips. You should have a dense, soft surface where you can hide treats for dogs to sniff and search for.
Cat Toy:
Take a toddler or child’s sock, or a small square of blanket fleece, stuff it with poly-fill, then sprinkle a small amount of cat-nip inside the sock. Tie the end of the sock or fleece tightly in a knot with some yarn. The cats will love these!
Cat Condos:
Select a cardboard box with these approximate dimensions: 12” x 12” x 12”. (Note: “Big Box” stores often provide free boxes.) Cut out a large opening for the front side (ask an adult for assistance). Cover the box with construction paper, butcher block paper or mailing paper. Use only non-toxic school glue. Decorate your cat condo with ink stamps or non-toxic markers. Please do not use string or yarn!
“I Care” Pet Baskets:
Collect all or some of the following items and put them in a basket or decorated box:
- Wet dog food (any brand, chunky or pâté )
- Dry cat and dog food (Hill’s Science Diet only)
- Disposable latex gloves
- Treats
- 4-6 foot nylon dog leashes (no retractable, please)
- Kitten Milk Replacement (KMR)
- Feliway diffuser refills and Feliway spray
- Buckle dog collars
- Hand sanitizer
- Hand soap
- Dish soap
Chew Toys for Rabbits & Guinea Pigs:
Stuff empty toilet paper/paper towel tubes with Timothy hay (available at pet stores).
No-Bake Dog Treats
High Protein Peanut Butter-Honey Balls (Needs to be refrigerated)
Ingredients Needed:
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- 1 cup powdered milk
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup wheat germ
Combine the first four ingredients and mix well. Form into balls then roll in wheat germ (1 teaspoon for toy breeds, 2 teaspoons for medium breeds and 1 tablespoon for large dogs). Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
Fundraisers & Supply Drives for the Animals
Organize a food drive.
Ask your principal or teacher if you could host a food or blanket drive at school. Put flyers up before the drive to let people know the dates that you will be collecting dog and cat food (canned food is most needed at the shelter) or blankets and towels.
Start “Coins for Critters” at your school or in your classroom.
Ask your principal or teacher first. Decorate canisters (such as empty peanut butter jars or coffee cans) that will hold the coins. Make this into a contest to see which classroom can bring in the most money. Monday – bring in pennies, Tuesday – bring in nickels, Wednesday – bring in dimes, Thursday – bring in quarters and Friday – bring in any spare change.
Have a bake sale.
Ask your school or church, mosque, synagogue, or temple to help sponsor a bake sale. Ask friends, family, and members of your group to donate baked treats for humans and/or your four-legged friends!
Organize a pet toy drive.
Ask your principal/teacher if you can host a pet toy drive at your school. Collect all kinds of pet toys for dogs/puppies, cats/kittens, hamsters, rabbits, ferrets and birds.
Organize a supply drive.
Ask your school or church, mosque, synagogue, or temple to help sponsor a supply drive of items from our Wish List.
Have a lemonade stand.