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National Craft for your Local Shelters Day – July 21, 2024

National Craft for Your Local Shelters Day is celebrated on July 21 every year. Calling all crafters, DIYers, and anybody searching for a low-cost method to help shelter dogs and cats on this day! The summer months are often the busiest for animal shelters around the country due to the combination of Kitten Season and owner surrender appointments, which increases the number of animals in our care. This fun holiday idea is simple — to make some homemade pet toys and supplies and donate them to your local animal shelter. This allows shelters to receive the materials they require while also allowing individuals to contribute to participate without having to spend a lot of money. Continue reading to hear about some fantastic ideas and goods that you can make and contribute to your local shelter right away.

History of National Craft for your Local Shelters Day

Animal cruelty was originally identified as a problem in Britain in the 1820s. In response, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (S.P.C.A.) was established in 1824. This animal welfare organization worked to change people’s opinions of how dogs were treated.

The S.P.C.A. arrived in the United States in 1866. It was founded by a guy named Henry Burgh, who was criticized and humiliated by many since most people were unconcerned about the situation of dogs. But the idea didn’t stop there, and the S.P.C.A. continued to develop.

The Women’s S.P.C.A. of Pennsylvania establishes the first animal shelter just three years later, in 1869. Over 150 years later, the institution is still in operation, functioning as Bucks County P.A’s sole open-intake shelter and providing adoption, training, and veterinary services.

Women’s Animal Center launched one of the earliest humane education programs in America not long after it was started. Generations later, the emphasis remains on collaborating with kids to create a more caring future for animals.

This unique day was established in 2012 as a means for people to give back to local shelters without having to adopt or provide money. Shelters require resources, and many of them may be made from objects found in our houses. So, let’s set aside a day to make some entertaining shelter essentials. For those of us who are unable to devote the full day, we may concentrate on one of these tasks at the end of the day while watching late-night comedy television before bed.

National Craft for your Local Shelters Day timeline

1820
A Big Problem

In the 1820s, animal cruelty is noted as an issue in the United Kingdom.

1824
Organization to Prevent Cruelty on Animals

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (S.P.C.A.) is founded which works hard to modify people's perceptions of how dogs should be handled.

1869
First Animal Shelter

The first animal shelter is established by the Pennsylvania Women's S.P.C.A.

2012
The Special Day Starts

This unique National Craft for Local Shelters Day is a great opportunity to support local shelters without having to adopt or provide money.

National Craft for your Local Shelters Day FAQs

What can I do to help local shelters?

Every animal shelter and rescue group has expenses to cover, and your kind monetary contribution would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be used to assist pay for everyday operations, supplies, staff training, animal housing modifications, community outreach activities, animal enrichment, and much more.

How do you make animal toys for local shelters?

The majority of DIY dog and cat toy supplies may be found lying around your house. You should establish a list of necessary goods before you begin. Here are several examples: discarded t-shirts, socks, rags, or towels for rope toys, toilet paper, or paper towel roll cardboard tube. All of the tools needed to build pet toys may be found in your home’s drawers and closets with a simple search.

What services do local shelters provide?

Shelters either allow healthy animals to live out their lives there (no-kill) or retain animals for a certain period before euthanizing them. Private, non-profit groups normally run no-kill shelters, but municipal shelters funded by public monies routinely euthanize animals.

National Craft for your Local Shelters Day Activities

  1. Make homemade dog bandanas

    To make these bandanas, start by cutting the cloth into the required bandana design with fabric scissors. Look online for sizing recommendations to help you manufacture bandanas for different dog sizes.

  2. Make homemade cat toys

    Consider constructing cat toys out of common household materials. Tie a feather to one end of a length of string and a circled-up pipe cleaner to the other to make a cat toy.

  3. Share it on social media

    With many families spending more time at home creating and D.I.Ying these days, participating in National Craft for Local Shelters Day allows you to join your community in making a real impact in the life of a shelter dog or cat. Share your experience participating in this one-of-a-kind day on social media.

5 Facts About Animal Shelters

  1. 3,500 animal shelters

    In the United States, there are about 3,500 animal shelters as of 2021.

  2. Overcrowding shelters

    Overcrowding in shelters results in the deaths of seven million animals.

  3. Owner surrender

    Many animals wind up in shelters as a result of homelessness or animal abuse, but many pets are surrendered to shelters by their owners as well.

  4. The majority of the animals are strays

    While many animals wind up at shelters after being abandoned by their owners, twice as many animals enter as strays rather than house pets who have been freely surrendered by their owners.

  5. Average age of animals at shelters

    According to research by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the average age of dogs surrendered to shelters is between five months and two years.

Why We Love National Craft for your Local Shelters Day

  1. Support our local shelters

    Help the organizations that do so much for animals, people, and your town. Choose the best methods to express your gratitude to the organizations that do so much for animals, people, and your community.

  2. It allows you to be more creative

    Find something you enjoy doing for yourself, and you'll be more inclined to take the time to do it. In this instance, making handmade pet toys may be the greatest way for you to have fun.

  3. Animals are important

    Pets, especially dogs and cats, may help with stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as loneliness, exercise, and enjoyment. They can even improve cardiovascular health. As children get older, caring for an animal can help them become more secure and active.

National Craft for your Local Shelters Day dates

YearDateDay
2024July 21Sunday
2025July 21Monday
2026July 21Tuesday
2027July 21Wednesday
2028July 21Friday

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