Crafting for Critters: A List of Charitable Organizations Seeking Your Handcrafted Items For Donation

Tis' the season to spread goodwill.  That being said, there are a number of ways to be charitable during the holidays that don't require you to spend a lot of money.  In fact, non-profit organizations around the globe prefer handcrafted items over store-bought ones.  Here is a list of pet-friendly groups seeking your sewn, quilted, knitted, crocheted, and hand-built items for use in their facilities:

Hugs for Homeless Animals Snuggles Project.  Create security blankets from a variety of materials and donate them to shelter animals that need comforting.  President and Founder, Rae French, poured her heart into this project that has been running strong since 1996.  Contributors can find everything that they need on the site including project sheets, a list of shelters, and an online donation form.

Creative Animal Relief.  Artists donate handmade items that are later sold online, in the storefront, and at arts and crafts festivals.  The proceeds are used to aid "qualified animal charities".  Members vote on their favorite charities, the names are put in a randomizer, and three are chosen as quarterly charities.  CAR puts a lot of effort into researching the background of these organizations before releasing any funds to them.

ASPCA.  Donations in the form of "thick towels, blankets and beds for dogs and cats" are encouraged.  The site does not specify that these items should be bought brand new and only suggests that they should be "laundered and clean".

Patterns for projects are posted heavily on the web.  In fact, here are a few places to get you started:

Craftbits.  The site has great ideas that cost very little to make.  Two of the more impressive pet-related crafts included a Recycled T-Shirt-Dogs Tugga Toy and Cat Nip Pouches.  Made in bulk, these items can really benefit shelters that are in need of supplies.

Tipnut.  Twenty projects round out the pet craft section of this informative website.  From toys to clothing to blankets and bedding, there is something for everyone to make.

ReadThreadDIY.  Containing a great tutorial on how to make a pet bed, the site offers read step-by-step instructions as well as color photograph illustrations.

Break out all your unused supplies and get to work crafting for the animals.  No holiday would be complete without including a charitable action geared towards our furry, feathered, and finned friends.  Even the smallest gesture can yield big rewards.  In fact, Julia Alvarez said it best when she declared, "The point is not to pay back kindness but to pass it on."