Today marks the day of two important events. The starting of this blog, and the eye opening experience that has lead us to start of this blog.
As I write this I wonder how many people are warm in their homes while thousands of shelter dogs are left int he cold. Today our family set out to have some fun by visiting our local animal shelter.
Its something we try to do at least a few times a month, if nothing else just to remind us of how lucky we are to have a dog with a warm home. But this time of year it can get particularly for some of these dogs.
Our local shelter takes in more than 10,000 animals per year and As the population of the shelter increases, more and more dogs are forced to remain outside in the cold. Currently, as I’m writing this the chill factor is 48°F and the wind is blowing 17 mile an hour with a cold front headed our way.
And we live in the deep south. So I can only imagine what the dogs up north are going through. This shelter is the last home some of these pups will ever know. And almost all the funding dog shelters receive come from private resources and donations. (not the city).
While I understand many of these dogs will never find homes (although troubling) it hurts me to think that their last resting place ESPECIALLY during the holiday season would be a cold, dark hole.
I stepped out for just a few minutes to take the trash out tonight and couldn’t wait to get back inside in the heat. I can only image what it must be like for these little guys right now as they shiver through the night (ALL Night).
I can understand that some people just cant afford to adopt. And I can even understand (to a certain extent) that this may be their last resort. BUT I cannot for the life of me understand why ANY dog should have to suffer through this cold winter chill!
So after much talk, Alisha and I thought it would be a good idea to pay a visit to our local Good-Will and see if we can find some old sweaters. Actually Alisha came up with the idea for dog sweaters, and I came up with the idea for recycling them.
And here’s what we’ve got so far.
We were able to purchase 12 hand-me-down sweaters at a decent price (normally worn by humans) and with a little creativity (and Alisha’s amazing sewing skills) make doggy sweaters!
I was surprised at how easy it was to make these into doggy sweaters. I pictured it begin a little more difficult than this. But I guess with a little creativity anything is possible.
We even tried a few on our dog Dexter and he loved it!
I think this is going to be a lot of fun! I will do an update tomorrow.
What a wonderful job you are doing, how inspiring. What a sad story, we in Australia do not get temperatures that cold, we are about to enter into another hot Summer and I worry continuously about all the animals and how the heat will afffect them. Keep up your wonderful work and hopefully you will get help from other people, if I wasn’t so far away I would definitely be sending you any sweaters that we have. My parents before they died used to go to the opportunity shops and buy up all the blankets and take them to the animal shelters to keep them warm.
I absolutely loved this idea! I will pass this a long to my friends to see if our shelters could use this idea. I don’t have sweaters, but, I do have some of those little couch blankets. Who will make the sweaters? Thank you for sharing.
I live in Northern Virginia. I’m preparing an email to my friends (and including some animal shelters to see their interest). I am telling them that I am willing to collect the sweaters from them to ship to you. Please confirm that you are still in need.
Yes still plenty of shelters and dogs in need. Thank you soo much for your help!
thank you for the kind words.
What a great idea, and thank you for doing what you are doing. We live in Florida and don’t get much in the way of cold temperatures for any extended period, but I am forwarding to all of my cold weather friends to let them know. Maybe they could do something for their local pound puppies.
Yes, It’s a wonder idea, a couple years ago I started to do that very thing for my own pets because I was not able to afford to buy them sweaters at the pet stores. But not aware that I could share them to a shelter, but I will be doing that in the future.
Thanks for sharing that informtion with all of us.
I live in Sydney Australia.
Just would like to thank you, what a COOL IDEA!
Hope you get lots of cosy sweaters.
Like the lady above said, perhaps others could take old blankets to shelters for animals.
This is wonderful!! I will be going through my stuff this weekend and will send you the sweaters very soon. You are a blessing to the animals.
thank you for your support!
Do you have use for sweatshirts and long sleeve and short sleeve t-shirts? I have probably a 100+ that I can’t give to the homeless because they have a company logo on them. Please let me know and I can arrange it.
Thank You!
Yes we could use the sweatshirts! I dont think the T-shirts would help though unless they were very thick. Thank you soo much for your support!
Plan to do a story on your project and will forward it to you. I write for examiner.com
Terrific idea. Hopefully more volunteers will follow in your foot steps!
wow thank you so much for your support!
Hi Brad, By any chance could you try your local post office? Im sure they wouldnt mind sending your package. thanks for your support.
Great Idea! I found seven sweaters and sweatshirts that I am going to send you right away. I am also forwarding your site to dog lovers I know, Hope you get great response! You are doing a wonderful job!
thank you!!
You guys are great. We’re going to gather up people sweaters and some doggie sweaters for you. God bless you!
Thank you soo much for your kind words and support!
Very good and worth while project, I will be sending sweaters soon!
What I terrific idea! Thanks for helping the animals!
What A wonderful lady with a wonderful idea, i live in australia where it’s very hot at the moment.Just wanted to thank you’s for being so caring