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T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

  • 1.  T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 04-16-2025 06:45 AM
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hi friends!

    I wanted to share a fun and meaningful idea that could help build stronger connections between shelters and rescues across the country:

    What if we started swapping t-shirts - or even just stickers or decals - with one another?

    The concept is simple and flexible:

    Your organization sends a shirt or sticker to another shelter or rescue, and they send one back. These items could be:

    • Worn or displayed at adoption events to show unity
    • Added to a "Wall of Support" or "Wall of Fame" inside your shelter
    • Gifted to volunteers or staff as a token of the bigger rescue community

    It's a low-cost, high-impact way to promote connection, camaraderie, and support among those of us in animal welfare.

    How It Could Work:

    1. Sign-Ups:

    Organizations fill out a quick form with:

    • Name
    • Contact info & mailing address
    • Preferred swap (shirt, sticker, or both)
    • Shirt sizes if participating in the shirt swap

    2. Matching:

    We can do:

    • One-on-one trades (Shelter A swaps with Shelter B), or
    • Rotating trades (Shelter A sends to B, B sends to C, C sends to A - like a rescue round robin)

    3. Send It Out:

    • Each group sends a shirt or decal - feel free to include a little note, photo, or some local flair!
    • When it arrives, post a picture on social media, tagging the other organization. Let's get a hashtag going like #ShelterShirtSwap or #RescueWallOfFame.

    4. Display the Love:

    • Start a Wall of Fame or display rack to show off all the swapped shirts and stickers.
    • A great conversation starter for adopters and a powerful visual for staff and volunteers.

    Why Join In?

    • Shows support for other shelters & rescues
    • Fosters friendship and collaboration
    • Builds morale
    • Promotes cross-community awareness
    • Opens doors for future partnership

    Whether you want to trade shirts or just swap stickers - you're part of something bigger.

    Let's show it. Let's support each other, one shirt (or sticker) at a time!

    Would love to hear who's interested and how you think we should get this started - maybe a pilot round first?

    comment your shelter or rescue name if interested. 


    #CommunityPartnerships*
    #FieldServicesandPublicSafety*
    #FundraisingandDevelopment
    #MarketingandSocialMedia
    #OrganizationalManagement
    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 2.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 04-16-2025 10:17 AM

    I love this idea!  We need to build strong, trusting relationships among shelters & rescues. The need is huge and resources limited. Working together we can get a lot more accomplished!  For example, the new rescue we're isn't planning to do TNR (at least initially).  We are starting with orphaned kittens. Together with a TNR focused rescue, we can work together to better address the needs one community at a time!

    Count us in!



    ------------------------------
    rosalie hathcock
    Founder & President
    Family Furst
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-16-2025 06:35 AM

    Hey!

    We'd be interested, Grand Prairie Animal Services in Grand Prairie, TX.



    ------------------------------
    Angellee Vincent
    Volunteer & Events Coordinator
    Grand Prairie Animal Services
    Grand Prairie, TX
    www.gptx.org/paws
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-19-2025 11:08 AM

    This is a great idea! We just made T-shirts and sold them at our yard sale. It helped bring in funds. Love T-shirts!



    ------------------------------
    Kathy Johnson
    Volunteer, Grant and Fundraising Coordinator
    Bruno Project Rescue, Inc.
    Columbia MD
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-20-2025 06:25 AM

    Morning Ms Kathy
    Where did you get your shirts made? Was it a local shop or an online vendor?
    We would love to do a fundraising T-shirt sale but are struggling to find a site that is affordable.  We don't see many people paying almost $30 for a t-shirt. But our cost is about $25 each using the current site we found (I don't recall the name of it). 



    ------------------------------
    Sarah
    Paws in Middle Georgia Animal Rescue
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-20-2025 06:48 AM

    We have been able to find local people who only charge $14-$15 per shirt.  I think there are two websites where you can have a store front.  Bonfire and teespring.com. 



    ------------------------------
    Kim Jackson
    AKC CGC Evaluator
    President/Founder For The Puppies Foundation Inc.
    Corinth, MS
    kimj@forthepuppiesfoundation.org
    www.forthepuppiesfoundation.org
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-20-2025 11:01 PM

    Overstock Sale 100 Shirts For 295 Free Shipping | 5Boys Apparel

    We have ordered from this site several times, especially when they are doing their overstock sales. Depending on the time of year the turn around time can be several weeks or months depending on product being printed, but for $3 a shirt you can sell cheap and still come out with a profit. They are cheap enough we can just give them to our volunteers so they don't ruin their own clothes if they spill bleach on them or get ripped or when stuff happens.



    ------------------------------
    Mike Wiederhold
    Director
    CENTRAL ARIZONA ANIMAL RESCUE INC
    AZ
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-22-2025 03:01 AM
      |   view attached

    We would love to be a part of this too!

    @Sarah Hoadley We purchase our tickets from Big Frog Printing. They have franchises all over the country. We paid about $17 but had to have a 75 shirt minimum. Being in Florida,wWe chose a softer lighter tshirt than what is normally offered which brought the price up a $1 and our logo is full color which cost more too. Without the extras they would have been $14-15. I also found a local person who will print a few at a time for us for $15 a shirt. 



    ------------------------------
    Lisa Burn
    Co-founder/VP
    Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
    Myakka City, FL
    https://farmhousesanctuary.org
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-22-2025 03:11 AM
    Great idea!  
    Humane Society of the Ohio Valley
    Marietta, OH

    On Thu, May 22, 2025 at 6:01 AM Lisa Burns via Maddie's Pet Forum <Mail@maddiesfund.org> wrote:
    We would love to be a part of this too! @Sarah Hoadley We purchase our tickets from Big Frog Printing. They have franchises all over the country... -posted to the "Animal Welfare Professionals" community
    Maddie's Pet Forum

    Animal Welfare Professionals

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    May 22, 2025 3:01 AM  |    view attached
    Lisa Burns

    We would love to be a part of this too!

    @Sarah Hoadley We purchase our tickets from Big Frog Printing. They have franchises all over the country. We paid about $17 but had to have a 75 shirt minimum. Being in Florida,wWe chose a softer lighter tshirt than what is normally offered which brought the price up a $1 and our logo is full color which cost more too. Without the extras they would have been $14-15. I also found a local person who will print a few at a time for us for $15 a shirt. 



    ------------------------------
    Lisa Burn
    Co-founder/VP
    Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
    Myakka City, FL
    https://farmhousesanctuary.org
    ------------------------------
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    Original Message:
    Sent: 5/22/2025 6:01:00 AM
    From: Lisa Burns
    Subject: RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    We would love to be a part of this too!

    @Sarah Hoadley We purchase our tickets from Big Frog Printing. They have franchises all over the country. We paid about $17 but had to have a 75 shirt minimum. Being in Florida,wWe chose a softer lighter tshirt than what is normally offered which brought the price up a $1 and our logo is full color which cost more too. Without the extras they would have been $14-15. I also found a local person who will print a few at a time for us for $15 a shirt. 



    ------------------------------
    Lisa Burn
    Co-founder/VP
    Farmhouse Animal & Nature Sanctuary
    Myakka City, FL
    https://farmhousesanctuary.org
    ------------------------------

    Original Message:
    Sent: 05-20-2025 06:25 AM
    From: Sarah Hoadley
    Subject: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Morning Ms Kathy
    Where did you get your shirts made? Was it a local shop or an online vendor?
    We would love to do a fundraising T-shirt sale but are struggling to find a site that is affordable.  We don't see many people paying almost $30 for a t-shirt. But our cost is about $25 each using the current site we found (I don't recall the name of it). 



    ------------------------------
    Sarah
    Paws in Middle Georgia Animal Rescue

    Original Message:
    Sent: 05-19-2025 11:08 AM
    From: Kathy Johnson
    Subject: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    This is a great idea! We just made T-shirts and sold them at our yard sale. It helped bring in funds. Love T-shirts!



    ------------------------------
    Kathy Johnson
    Volunteer, Grant and Fundraising Coordinator
    Bruno Project Rescue, Inc.
    Columbia MD

    Original Message:
    Sent: 05-16-2025 06:34 AM
    From: Angellee Vincent
    Subject: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Hey!

    We'd be interested, Grand Prairie Animal Services in Grand Prairie, TX.



    ------------------------------
    Angellee Vincent
    Volunteer & Events Coordinator
    Grand Prairie Animal Services
    Grand Prairie, TX
    www.gptx.org/paws

    Original Message:
    Sent: 04-11-2025 08:02 PM
    From: Anonymous Member
    Subject: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hi friends!

    I wanted to share a fun and meaningful idea that could help build stronger connections between shelters and rescues across the country:

    What if we started swapping t-shirts - or even just stickers or decals - with one another?

    The concept is simple and flexible:

    Your organization sends a shirt or sticker to another shelter or rescue, and they send one back. These items could be:

    • Worn or displayed at adoption events to show unity
    • Added to a "Wall of Support" or "Wall of Fame" inside your shelter
    • Gifted to volunteers or staff as a token of the bigger rescue community

    It's a low-cost, high-impact way to promote connection, camaraderie, and support among those of us in animal welfare.

    How It Could Work:

    1. Sign-Ups:

    Organizations fill out a quick form with:

    • Name
    • Contact info & mailing address
    • Preferred swap (shirt, sticker, or both)
    • Shirt sizes if participating in the shirt swap

    2. Matching:

    We can do:

    • One-on-one trades (Shelter A swaps with Shelter B), or
    • Rotating trades (Shelter A sends to B, B sends to C, C sends to A - like a rescue round robin)

    3. Send It Out:

    • Each group sends a shirt or decal - feel free to include a little note, photo, or some local flair!
    • When it arrives, post a picture on social media, tagging the other organization. Let's get a hashtag going like #ShelterShirtSwap or #RescueWallOfFame.

    4. Display the Love:

    • Start a Wall of Fame or display rack to show off all the swapped shirts and stickers.
    • A great conversation starter for adopters and a powerful visual for staff and volunteers.

    Why Join In?

    • Shows support for other shelters & rescues
    • Fosters friendship and collaboration
    • Builds morale
    • Promotes cross-community awareness
    • Opens doors for future partnership

    Whether you want to trade shirts or just swap stickers - you're part of something bigger.

    Let's show it. Let's support each other, one shirt (or sticker) at a time!

    Would love to hear who's interested and how you think we should get this started - maybe a pilot round first?

    comment your shelter or rescue name if interested. 


    #CommunityPartnerships*
    #FieldServicesandPublicSafety*
    #FundraisingandDevelopment
    #MarketingandSocialMedia
    #OrganizationalManagement
    #PeopleManagement(includingVolunteerIntegration)


  • 10.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-22-2025 06:24 AM

    We would love to partipate as well. We have local printing compant that we can use for any amunt of T-shirts, which is great for trying out new designs!



    ------------------------------
    Cheryl Jones
    Florence Lauderdale Animal Shelter
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-22-2025 08:25 AM

    Just throwing it out there; if anyone wants to trade one on one with GPAS; just shoot me a direct message with the mailing address and I can start putting together packages Saturday when I'm in office :) 

    I know I have some swag logo items but I may have some tshirts too ! Not sure on sizes so if you want a tshirt just give me your top 2-3 size choices! I may have a few 4x too but honestly truly not sure until I'm able to check. 

    thanks :) 

    <3



    ------------------------------
    Angellee Vincent
    Volunteer & Events Coordinator
    Grand Prairie Animal Services
    Grand Prairie, TX
    www.gptx.org/paws
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-16-2025 09:55 AM

    I think this is such a cool idea, I'm not in charge of anything like that at our shelter but if it turns into something I would totally pass it along!



    ------------------------------
    Laurel Nelson
    Cat Welfare Supervisor
    Nebraska Humane Society
    NE
    ------------------------------



  • 13.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-17-2025 08:49 AM

    I am obsessed with this idea! Swag and merch is so huge for us - people love it! We're happy to join!



    ------------------------------
    Meredith Evens
    Founder
    Olyver & Co
    WI
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-18-2025 10:32 AM

    I think this is a great idea! I'd be interested. 

    All About the Animals Foundation

    Allabouttheanimalsfoundation@gmail.com



    ------------------------------
    Maria Putnam
    Founder/CEO
    All About the Animals Foundation
    CT
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-19-2025 07:55 AM

    This sounds so fun! I would love to participate with our organization: Mountain Humane, Hailey ID [lkrieger@mountainhumnane.org]



    ------------------------------
    Leslie Krieger
    Behavior & Training Manager
    Mountain Humane
    Hailey ID
    ------------------------------



  • 16.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-19-2025 08:23 AM

    We're in!  Would love to connect like this.

    Citizens for Animal Protection - private nonprofit shelter & clinic - Houston, TX



    ------------------------------
    Sandi Mercado
    Shelter or rescue director
    Citizens for Animal Protection
    Houston TX
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-19-2025 08:49 AM

    Would love to participate!

    Henrico Police Animal Shelter/Glen Allen, VA 



    ------------------------------
    Pamela Bridgmon
    Shelter Manager
    Henrico Police Animal Shelter
    VA
    ------------------------------



  • 18.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-20-2025 02:08 AM

    What a great idea! The Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County would like to participate, too! Awlshelter.org



    ------------------------------
    Stephenie Krum
    Volunteer Coordinator
    Animal Welfare League of Charlotte County
    FL
    ------------------------------



  • 19.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-20-2025 05:25 AM

    I absolutely love this idea and am certainly interested!



    ------------------------------
    Michelle Grimes
    Animal Control Officer
    Keene Police Department
    Keene NH
    ------------------------------



  • 20.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-20-2025 05:38 AM

    I love this! For The Puppies Foundation Inc.  Corinth, MS would love to participate.  We have shirts in 4 colors. Black, light blue, grey/gray, and white.

    kimj@forthepuppiesfoundation.org  



    ------------------------------
    [Kim] [Jackson]
    [AKC CGC Evaluator]
    [For The Puppies Foundation Inc.]
    ------------------------------



  • 21.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-20-2025 04:42 PM

    This sounds like fun! I would love to participate. 



    ------------------------------
    robyn neal
    VCAS Office assistant lll
    VCAS
    CA
    ------------------------------



  • 22.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-21-2025 07:28 AM

    We would be interested! Pet Animal Welfare Society of CT (PAWS), Norwalk CT



    ------------------------------
    Kerry Dobson
    Executive Director
    Pet Animal Welfare Society
    CT
    ------------------------------



  • 23.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-21-2025 07:34 AM

    Count us in!



    ------------------------------
    Lina Eklof
    Director of Operations
    San Antonio Humane Society
    TX
    ------------------------------



  • 24.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-21-2025 08:34 AM

    Love this idea! We're in!



    ------------------------------
    Sara Post
    Operations Director
    Feline Rescue
    Saint Paul, MN
    ------------------------------



  • 25.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-21-2025 10:44 AM

    Sounds like fun.  Feline Fund could do shirts or stickers.   What a fun way to showcase the the great work being done across our network.   



    ------------------------------
    Tara Tomcsik
    President
    Feline Fund
    MI
    ------------------------------



  • 26.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-22-2025 08:11 AM

    We'd like to participate from Winnipeg Animal Services in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.



    ------------------------------
    Zoe Austin
    Animal Services Officer
    City of Winnipeg
    MB
    ------------------------------



  • 27.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 05-23-2025 09:44 AM

    We'd love to know some places to shop for shirts, and/or design them, so we could join in! 
    Catherine

    www.aapaw.org



    ------------------------------
    Catherine Morrison
    President
    Alamo Area Partners for Animal Welfare (AAPAW)
    TX
    ------------------------------



  • 28.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 28 days ago

    I love this idea and would love to be a part of it!



    ------------------------------
    Olivia Wilhelm
    Founder/Director
    Friends of Felix Senior Dog Rescue and Sanctuary
    New York
    www.friendsoffelix.org
    ------------------------------



  • 29.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 27 days ago

    Love this idea so much! Let me know where and when I can send :) Buffalo, NY Ten Lives Club Cat Adoption Group & Shelter



    ------------------------------
    Sallie Edwards
    Board Member
    Ten Lives Club
    NY
    ------------------------------



  • 30.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 26 days ago

    I love this idea. We also want to join.  

    Tonya Hampton-Lopez

    Volunteer & Events Coordinator/Foster Mgr.

    21001 E. 78 HWY Indepencence, MO. 64057

    816.206.3656- C

    816.325.7207-O



    ------------------------------
    tonya hampton
    ------------------------------



  • 31.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 25 days ago

    Great idea, count us in for a sticker swap(s). 



    ------------------------------
    Shana McCawley
    Vice President
    Freed Spirits Animal Rescue
    AZ
    ------------------------------



  • 32.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 20 days ago

    Absolutely! We would love to be a part of this!! We would like to be apart of the sticker swap.

    Cheyenne, WY



    ------------------------------
    Amira Zohbe
    Volunteer/ Foster Manager
    Black Dog Animal Rescue
    ------------------------------



  • 33.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 5 days ago

    I love this idea and I can't wait to see what shirts, stickers and other items we can display proudly as partners in animal lovers and rescuers!!



    ------------------------------
    Christine Scheuermann
    Mental Health Technician
    Mississippi Coalition of Animal Protection
    MS
    ------------------------------



  • 34.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 5 days ago

    We're in! Save Our Cats and Kittens (SOCKS) in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Looking forward to how we can make this happen.



    ------------------------------
    Kim White
    Shelter Manager
    Save Our Cats and KIttens, Inc.
    FL
    ------------------------------



  • 35.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 5 days ago

    Love all the responses, but did I miss a post stating where / how this would happen?  I'm ready to swap but not sure what next steps are.  Thanks!!



    ------------------------------
    Sandi Mercado
    Shelter or rescue director
    Citizens for Animal Protection
    Houston TX
    ------------------------------



  • 36.  RE: T-Shirt (or Sticker!) Swaps Between Shelters & Rescues: Building Community One Trade at a Time

    Posted 4 days ago

    I love this idea.  I am just a volunteer at my shelter, but I'd love to buy a couple of our rescue's shirts and trade with you all.  Double win, fundraising for my local rescue, and involvement with other orgs :) 



    ------------------------------
    Melissa Fitzgerald
    Volunteer
    Pawfect Life Rescue
    MA
    ------------------------------