Every time I visit the shelter where I volunteer I bring toys, treats or something useful. For this week’s shelter volunteer feature I’m participating in the Santa Kitty Toy Hop, an initiative by our blogger friends at Sparklecat to spread holiday cheer to shelter cats. All the bloggers participating gathered up toys and other goodies to share to a shelter of their choice. Scroll down and visit some of the bloggers. It’s amazing how different each shelter is but what they share in common is a love of cats who ALL need a home.
Our choice is naturally the New Rochelle Humane Society. We donated a few toys from the Kathy Ireland collection in the Sparkle Cat kitties Binga and Boodie’s name. Even the dogs got some treats, but the best gift is the joy volunteers get by spending time with shelter pets. If you’ve never considered volunteering, it’s the most rewarding time you’ll ever spend. Most volunteers can play with cats in a cage-free area which is the most fun but there are volunteer opportunities of all kinds. Most shelters have website with volunteer info and a donation wishlist of needed items.
Of course the gift every shelter cat wants this year is a forever home
It’s treat for me to spend time in the large cage-free area but you’ll rarely see me there. You’ll find me in the small back rooms with cages socializing, creating environmental enrichment and assessing the cats one at a time. It’s cramped and not glamorous sitting the floor or climbing ladders but it’s where I can make the biggest difference.
If you are in the NYC area or would like to share this post, the latest roster of adoptable cats can be seen at New Rochelle Humane Society.
where adoption discounts are on until the end of the month for older pets or those who have been at the shelter for over four months.
A few of my Santa kitty toy hop donations. I’m grateful to receive many products for free and happy to pass them onto deserving shelter pets.
I’ll bet those kitties really liked that Organikat toy! I loved mine. If only they all could have a loving home of their own.
Thanks for making the lives of the New Rochelle cats so much brighter, Layla! Hugs to you!
What a wonderful gift to the shelter kitties. But you give the shelter kitties an amazing gift all year long with your time, attention, and big heart.
Thanks for making the lives of shelter cats special at Christmas time!
Merry Christmas Layla!
Those are lovely gifts for the shelter kitties, and will help make their Christmas a good one.
Those kitties are lucky to meet you all year long ! What great donations ! Purrs
I bet all the cat´s was happy for al the stuff in the bag 🙂
My mom-person have been to our local cat shelter today with a bag to the cat´s and humans that takes care of them.
XOXO
doodz….de food gurl heer taked all R stuff two R shelters de week oh ….”burd day”….
we bee thanx full for all we have N wanted ta share bak….get thiz….we even sent em canned goods containin…BURD….
yea…we noe…..
♥
Not burd!? Someone will like it though ;-0
It’s always good to see lots of great things being used by those without.
It’s always nice to see someone volunteering. 🙂 Shelter Kitties could always use the extra love. You’re a busy person and finding the time is tough, I’ll bet, but you’re really doing great work.
It’s hard finding time but so worth it 🙂
YOu made a lot of kitties happ great job!
Thank you for doing this, Layla. That is so special for the cats.
I love doing this 🙂
I love the gifts! And it’s so cute arranged! My grampy brought food and some toys to their local shelter too… and there was a surprise: they only had 3 dogs who need a home (it’s a small shelter, they mostly have 10-15 dogs)… it’s great that only 3 dogs were there and I hope this three guys will find a home before christmas too.
Easy, I brought some doggie treats because of you 🙂
What pawsome gifts for the shelter kitties!
I bet the kitties loved all the toys and treats – but especially the company! My human says the best part of the visit for her was actually spending time with the kitties – especially the shy grownup ones – and see how much they enjoyed playing.
It’s all about the human contact and the shy ones are the sweetest. Thanks for organizing the hop!