Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi everyone! Our shelter is in need of new fabric liners for our cat kennels, and we are wondering what other people use at their shelters. We are currently using old bed runners that were donated to us by a hotel many years ago, which were then cut and sewed to size by our volunteers. However, they are falling apart due to their age and frequent washings.  We would use fleece as our fabric of choice for the new liners, but have found that it is too slippery to use in our kennels. I attached two photos of the worn green liners that we are currently using. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

#AdoptionsandAdoptionPrograms

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Lita Lind
Animal Allies Humane Society
Duluth, MN
animalallies.net
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For the kennels used during our adoption events and at my home, I use donated quilts cut to size and sewn around the edges. You could also ask for donated cotton clothing to sew together for liners. If there is a high school, community center, church, or library in the area that does sewing classes and has remnants, perhaps they could use a class or two to make some kennel liners for a good cause. 

As a low-cost option, Dollar Tree sells 2 different size options. They are fleece, so may be slippery, but we use them for the kennels and kitten towers as well. At $1.25 each, they are great items to ask for if people want to donate something. 

DollarTree.com

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Katie Christiansen
Volunteer Lead
Shady's Paw Animal Rescue
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It looks like you have almost the same kennels as us and we use washable incontinence pads which fit nicely and hold up well. Like these: Washable incontinence pads

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Sara Post
Operations Director
Feline Rescue
Saint Paul, MN
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JoAnne Fabrics is going out of business. Not sure if you have one near you, but maybe ask them for a huge discount or free fabric for this purpose

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Tammy Duffy
Animal protection officer
Elbra's Dream
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Hi Tammy. The story I saw said they have filed for bankruptcy but are not going out of business and does not plan to close any stores. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/retail/2024/03/18/joann-fabric-chapter-11-bankruptcy/73015580007/

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Pamela Adelmann
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-06-2024 09:49 AM
From: Tammy Duffy
Subject: Cat Shelter Kennel Liners

JoAnne Fabrics is going out of business. Not sure if you have one near you, but maybe ask them for a huge discount or free fabric for this purpose

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Tammy Duffy
Animal protection officer
Elbra's Dream
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We use bath towels folded in half for our kennels which are pretty easy to get a ton of donations for and it provides a decent amount cushion for them to be comfortable

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Laurel Nelson
Cat Welfare Supervisor
Nebraska Humane Society
NE
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We ask for bath rugs.  The rubber backing prevents slippage.  We have someone who gets a 30% discount at Big Lots and try for donations to cover them.

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Connie Dekker
Title I Reading Tutor, Columbus City Schools
Columbus Pet Rescue
Columbus OH
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Hello! At my shelter we use bath towels. We fold them in half and they fit pretty well without them sliding off. We then provide a blanket or bed for the cats. If you need pics or anything I'm happy to take some to share. 

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Alma Morales
Animal Care Attendant
Hayward Animal Shelter
CA
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Thank you for your suggestions, everyone! Your input is incredibly helpful! 

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Lita Lind
Animal Allies Humane Society
Duluth, MN
animalallies.net
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-07-2024 05:57 PM
From: Alma Morales
Subject: Cat Shelter Kennel Liners

Hello! At my shelter we use bath towels. We fold them in half and they fit pretty well without them sliding off. We then provide a blanket or bed for the cats. If you need pics or anything I'm happy to take some to share. 

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Alma Morales
Animal Care Attendant
Hayward Animal Shelter
CA
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I wait for the $5 fleece throws at walmart and dollar general to go on clearance at 50%-75%, then buy them out and donate. These are big enough to fold and provide padding. As well a plea to public groups/ individuals to make you cage pads  out of fleece or used bedspreads).(Provide the dimensions and acceptable materials)

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Rochelle Hamp
Executive Director
Headwaters Animal Shelter
MN
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We have also used towelandrubber back rugs... stopped on the rugs because rubber brokedown after repeated washing and melted in dryer...

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Rochelle Hamp
Executive Director
Headwaters Animal Shelter
MN
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Original Message:
Sent: 04-11-2024 08:04 AM
From: Rochelle Hamp
Subject: Cat Shelter Kennel Liners

I wait for the $5 fleece throws at walmart and dollar general to go on clearance at 50%-75%, then buy them out and donate. These are big enough to fold and provide padding. As well a plea to public groups/ individuals to make you cage pads  out of fleece or used bedspreads).(Provide the dimensions and acceptable materials)

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Rochelle Hamp
Executive Director
Headwaters Animal Shelter
MN
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