Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Below is a photo of 173 hand sewn cat toys I'm taking to one of the local shelters. It's the fourth time in the last two years I've done this, along with taking roughly 20 boxes of goods for their weekly garage sale. To date I've had one person say "Thank You" when I dropped stuff off.

When I was single, it wasn't a big deal, but I've got a small child and a husband to chase around now - sewing 173 cat toys requires actual effort now. I want someone to recognise that. No one at the shelter is going to do it, so I'm looking to you guys!

I think that is wonderful and the cats here say that if they are not appreciative there, they will be very appreciative and will be glad to give the toys a very good home. Cause their mean Mommy never sews anything for them.

-----
Tessa Onyx, Foudini, Charlee, Spottie, ShyRaven, Buddy, Tuxie, Widdle Attila Sipowitz, Lizzie, Minnie, ET, Mylo, Penny (We be house cats at last), and Salem, Wicca and Marmalade (We iz also house cats, we guess)and the 5 porch kits also Riley da goggie and Buddha da baby hamster too
Tabitha and Samantha..always in our hearts
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

Are they filled with fresh catnip? If so, why not sell them and donate the money. Kasha and Smig might be interested.

They are filled with polyfil and catnip.

The first batch I took in I thought they could sell at their garage sale but it turns out they have a volunteer who has been making catnip pillows for that reason for 20+ years. So mine were given to the shelter cats and sent out in the care bags each adoptee receives.

The shelter is mixed cages and free roaming cats so they are always working to keep URIs out. I cut down the size since they only last a few days before being tossed out in one of their cleaning sprees. But I've walked in and seen 10-12 out on the floor at a time so they are getting put to good use.

I just want to hear someone say "Thank You" for once. It's been a building irritation that everytime I make a donation no one says thank you.

When you take them in, wait for a minute after you hand them to someone and then say "You are very welcome and have a nice day". That should shame most people.
-----
Tessa Onyx, Foudini, Charlee, Spottie, ShyRaven, Buddy, Tuxie, Widdle Attila Sipowitz, Lizzie, Minnie, ET, Mylo, Penny (We be house cats at last), and Salem, Wicca and Marmalade (We iz also house cats, we guess)and the 5 porch kits also Riley da goggie and Buddha da baby hamster too
Tabitha and Samantha..always in our hearts
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

That's rude. I was on the receiving end of a similar toy from my SPCA when I adopted the boys almost 15 years ago. Theirs has a fake fur outer cover vs. fabric. I still have it and the boys will still play with it if I rub it hard and get the catnip activated. It is the one toy that will always be in my house, long after they are gone in memory. I'll likely get rid of all the other toys (to good homes) when they are gone. So, THANK YOU. The toys are very appreciated and very much used...

I donated kitten and puppy food for years at the SPCA here. I'd drop it off at the counter and walk out (too dangerous looking in at the cats and potentially winding up with 100 of them). Someone always thanked me. How rude of them... But, don't let them discourage you -- the cats are the main reason and oftentimes it may be their only toy. I know many people that don't really buy toys and would probably just stick to one they got for free...
-----
Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Elizabeth,

Thank you for your generosity. It does take time and thoughtfulness to do this.

If your local shelter can't be bothered to even thank you, take this batch in... and stand there... don't move until they thank you and then request a receipt for your donation for tax purposes. Next time give somewhere where you are appreciated.

THANK YOU! There are 173 happier kitties because of you!
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

MOL, THANK YOU, GREAT JOB! What a nice thing to do
-----
PHTessie

I give up.

Its been an off week so I didn't make it to the shelter until today. We stopped after a dr. visit for the baby. The woman I spoke to is, I believe, the director of the shelter. She didn't say thank you to me. ( she said, oh!) She didn't say thank you to the young woman who walked in right behind me with several items to donate including a huge pet carrier. ('sure, I'll take that')

She did however speak of my kid in a very disapproving voice when another worker who had spotted Punky in the window came to speak to me. Punky was standing at a floor to ceiling window looking at the free roaming cats inside saying "kitty, kitty, kitty." Punky didn't yell, squeal, hit the windows or throw a fit when I moved her so its not like she wasn't well behaved. So why the attitude? We made no effort to go in and pull tails.

I started looking for another group to donate to. My first choice went out of business May 31st. The shelter I fostered for years ago is long gone. I've got a couple more to check out.

Thanks for all your support

Purrs,
Elizabeth

Shame on them. When you find a new place to give to...I would write that place a little goodbye letter...telling them why someone else will be getting your toys. Just remember that the cats would all thank you if they could. And I thank you for caring about them.
-----
Tessa Onyx, Foudini, Charlee, Spottie, ShyRaven, Buddy, Tuxie, Widdle Attila Sipowitz, Lizzie, Minnie, ET, Mylo, Penny (We be house cats at last), and Salem, Wicca and Marmalade (We iz also house cats, we guess)and the 5 porch kits also Riley da goggie and Buddha da baby hamster too
Tabitha and Samantha..always in our hearts
A house without cats is like a garden without flowers

Tessa is right. Write to them and tell them why you won't be donating to their shelter in the future. But don't write to the shelter director, send it to the Board of Directors or governmental body overseeing the shelter. Obviously the director has no manners so your letter wouldn't get the point across.

One has to wonder if they are this rude to people who want to help/donate, how are they with the people that want to adopt? Do they run them off? And, how are they with the animals? Sheesh.
-----
Tammy
Stanley and Pookey

Elizabeth, those cat toys are just adorable and I'll bet the cats have a lot of fun with them. It's wonderful that you take the time to make them for the kitties and I know the cats all love them.

The shelter that you donate to sounds very thoughless, like they've never learned manners or something. Another shelter would better deserve them but even if you don't find one, remember how much the cats love and deserve them. You're a very thoughtful, caring woman and I'm proud to know you.

A big THANK YOU from me, Simba, Samantha, Katrina and KatyKatt!
-----
Ruby and the Kitties
Simba, Samantha, Katrina & KatyKatt
Meow!! Meow!! Meow!! Meow!!

How wonderful to do nothing and then rest afterwards. Meow!

I agree with everyone else find some place that does appreciate all that you do. What state are you in again?
My favorite shelter is in WA state (Long Beach).
-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Gabby and Tucker

My favorite shelter is in WA state (Long Beach).
***********************

Got the address?

I had a conversation recently where I said I'd ship a box to a shelter 6 states away just so I wouldn't run the risk of disappointment again! Okay, thats extreme, but I think the next batch will go to the shelter my folks have adopted from. I'm taking Punky to see Grammy this week, but when we get back next on the list is a drive to see the shelter the office mgr at my vet's likes.

Funny how this didn't bother me, didn't bother me, didn't bother me - then suddenly I just had enough of the rudeness.