Among the items on SPCA NOVA’s wish list are toys for the cats and dogs awaiting their forever homes. With just a few easy-to-find materials and a creative mind, you can help SPCA NOVA by creating simple and fun toys to amuse the animals in foster homes.
Sock and Ball. Place an old tennis ball inside a sturdy clean sock, and then tie a knot just above the ball to make a quick and easy toy for dogs. You can also use an empty, clean water bottle with the lid removed in place of the ball. If you would like to get children involved, have them decorate the sock with permanent, non-toxic markers before stuffing them with the tennis ball or bottle.
Fleece/t-shirt braids. Using old fleece blankets, fleece purchased from a fabric store or old t-shirts, cut them into strips about 1-2 inches wide and 12-36 inches long. Knot the top, make a tight braid, and then knot the bottom. A helpful video featuring this project, put together by a San Jose-based Labrador rescue group, is available on YouTube.
Cat wands. Purchase a 12-inch wooden dowel from a craft store. Using old fleece blankets or fleece purchased from a fabric store, cut 1-3 strips about 1 inch wide and 12 inches long. Using duct tape, securely fasten one end of the strip(s) to the dowel.
Visit the SPCA NOVA website for a full list of pet supply donations we can use.