Should I give toys and cat beds for stray cats at humane society?
Hi, this may be a strange question but I am hoping for opinions.
I have three cats already, and I found two more stray cats hanging around my property. After caring for them for months, there finally was room at the local no-kill humane society and I had to take them in because I can’t care for 5 cats.
My question is, I have some bedding and other items that were used by the stray cats that I wanted to give to the humane society to give to the new owners. My question is, do you think the new owners may want these items? Or should I offer to buy some new items instead of taking the ones the cats like? I know this is a weird question but how would you feel if you were the new owner, the used items are very nice quality.
I dont know how the new owners would feel but working at a shelter myself I can tell you the Shelter staff would love you for it! We (all Shelters) live on very tight budgets and LOVE it when people donate bedding, Towels, Cleaning supplies, Cat and Dog toys…Anything…It would be a comfort to the cats while they wait for their new homes…Never throw away stuff like that Bring it Straight to the Shelter…They NEED it!
March 25th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
That would be a nice gesture and the cats might like to have something familiar around
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March 25th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
I would want my adopted pet to be as comfortable as possible in the "new home" and if that meant taking along a favorite toy or a bed, then so be it.
So yes, give them to the humane society. If they dont want them, they’ll let you know. Call first.
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March 25th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Thats a good idea.
Even if the new owner does not want the items, the shelter can reuse them.
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March 25th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I think that is a lovely idea. I am not sure they would take them because they may be worried about spreading fleas or germs. I am not saying you have them but they might have to have new items. Ask.
You are a very caring individual.
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March 25th, 2010 at 9:28 pm
I would offer them to the humane league there…I’m sure they would love them. If you feel comfortable offering them to the new owners, that’s completely up to you.
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March 25th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Give them to them to use in the shelter. The new owners will probably want to get new stuff for their new "babies", but the kitties in the shelter can really use it. Great idea!
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March 25th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Absolutely! Give away! They love these kinds of items along with other supplies (food, dishes, towels, bleach, laundry soap, litter and litter boxes…). Great job on the kitty babysitting on your behalf! At least you could help, yet know your limitations!
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March 25th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
I would call the humane society first to see if they would except it. Most new owners might want but would probably happen is that the humane society might keep it for other stray cats. I know whenever I get new pets anything given is a big help since it can get expensive going out to by the new toys. It would be very nice if you did that and thanks from a pet lover for taking care of the cats and taking them to the humane society instead of the pound.
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March 25th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Yes, all the animals there need some more love and affection from people.
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March 25th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
if the cats actually used the beds and toys i would think the humane society would like to have them for those cats.ask them.
what the humane society would probably prefer is cat food donations and of course money.
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March 26th, 2010 at 12:04 am
yes . you should do that
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March 26th, 2010 at 12:10 am
you should discuss this with somebody at the local humane society to see what they accept.
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March 26th, 2010 at 12:32 am
I Think that would be really nice of you. I say you should go for it. The cats will appreciate it. You are so nice, man. =]
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March 26th, 2010 at 1:11 am
yes
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March 26th, 2010 at 1:20 am
I think it would make the transition for the cat’s easier if they have stuff that smells like them, if that makes sense.
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March 26th, 2010 at 1:58 am
I dont know how the new owners would feel but working at a shelter myself I can tell you the Shelter staff would love you for it! We (all Shelters) live on very tight budgets and LOVE it when people donate bedding, Towels, Cleaning supplies, Cat and Dog toys…Anything…It would be a comfort to the cats while they wait for their new homes…Never throw away stuff like that Bring it Straight to the Shelter…They NEED it!
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Vet Tech@shelter
March 26th, 2010 at 2:05 am
It is a nice idea, but the shelter may not have a place to store them. Ask the staff at the shelter if they have room to store the items. Or if you don’t mind the shelter keeping them for shelter use, they would make a great donation.
I adopted my cat Zoey 2 years ago. I brought a carrier to bring her home in. During the check-out procedure a member of the staff arrived in the adoption room with a Sherpa carrier filled with items from Zoey’s first home: food bowl, toys, treats. I threw the treats away (they were 2 years old by then), but we use the Sherpa bag for short trips, and she uses her food bowl daily. Spoiled girl has a petmate water fountain, so the fact that the matching water bowl was broken was no big deal.
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March 26th, 2010 at 2:14 am
I would take them with me to the shelter. If the new owners don’t want the stuff, I’m sure the shelter could use them. Personally, I liked to buy my own stuff for my cats when I adopted, but that’s just me. I think you will find that the shelter will be happy to take them from you.
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March 26th, 2010 at 3:04 am
OH! What a sweet thing to do! I think that is a very good idea! There should be more people like you!
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March 26th, 2010 at 3:22 am
Most shelters welcome supplies of this kind. The new owner may want to provide his/her own bedding for the cats, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask the shelter.
I donate old bedding and towels to our local shelter, and from time to time, I give a few items to my favorite vet clinic. They are always glad to get them, and I’m sure the cats and dogs enjoy a cozy warm blanket or a fluffy towel to rub them dry after a bath.
You are thoughtful to consider the cats and their adjustment to a new environment. I’m certain that whoever picks them will give them a loving home, for people who select pets from shelters truly want them and are willing to provide good care for their new cat or dog.
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March 26th, 2010 at 4:11 am
Ask the shelter. They may take the used stuff but they may not. If they won’t, instead of buying new items I would see what is on the shelter’s "wish list". Usually shelters have these and it usually consists of items that they are in dire need of, like bleach, laundry detergent, towels, etc.
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March 26th, 2010 at 4:50 am
that would be verry nice they need to have people to care about them your a nice person
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March 26th, 2010 at 5:38 am
the shelter won’t have room to store your items and they don’t want something the cats used because they will have to sterilize it. You could donate it to the shelter and they’ll use it for all their cats, but it will be hard for them to track it to those particular cats.
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March 26th, 2010 at 5:56 am
cat beds are always on shelters wish lists, I think that a really nice gesture
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March 26th, 2010 at 6:24 am
I say go for it – a few familiar objects would help a cat adapt to their new surrondings (both the humane society and their home) as well as save the new owner from having to buy them. If they are nice quality, I can’t see a downside – sure, they’re not new, but the cat’s would prefer them and I would find that more important than appearance.
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