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Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

  • 1.  Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    Posted 07-21-2022 09:54 AM
    Hi!  We are a cat rescue and are looking for the cheapest way to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk.  The cheapest I've found so far is Walmart at 19.4 cents per pound.  We'd be willing to purchase 1000 pounds at one time if we can find a good price.  Does anyone have any suggestions for places to purchase litter cheaply?  We use the non-clumping in our infirmary & intake rooms as we change it daily, and also for our youngest kittens during their "learning" phase (ie: learning that litter is NOT food!  LOL).  Thanks in advance!
    #OrganizationalManagement

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    Amy Berke
    St. Francis Animal Rescue of Venice Inc
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  • 2.  RE: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    Posted 07-21-2022 10:10 AM
    I would love this answer too! We currently buy Tidy Cat non-clumping from Chewy!

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    Alexis Pugh
    Director, Memphis Animal Services
    www.memphisanimalservices.com

    Organizational Management
    & Pet Support Services Specialist
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  • 3.  RE: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    Posted 07-21-2022 01:27 PM
    Do you have a tractor supply company or southern states store near you? We used equine pellets for litter. We got some clumping litter as donations, so we would keep a bag on hand for kitties that didn't like the pellets. Most didn't have a problem with it.

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    Jenna Harmon
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  • 4.  RE: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    Posted 07-22-2022 10:08 AM
    Yes, we do have a Tractor Supply.  We have never thought of this.  We'll check out the pricing.  Thanks for the idea!

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    Amy Berke
    St. Francis Animal Rescue of Venice Inc
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  • 5.  RE: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    Posted 07-21-2022 11:36 PM
    See if there's a pet food supply store in the area that sells their store brand of litter in bulk.  (The type of situation where they sell you a first bucket, and then you bring back the empty bucket to be refilled for a set price.)  If they offer non-clumping litter, ask them about doing a bulk purchase of their litter in the super sack it is delivered in.  

    We did this for our Kitten Foster Program, although we get the clumping litter.  It comes in a 3,000 lb sack and they're nice enough to deliver it to us on a pallet (it helps to have a relationship with the store so they're willing to help you) when we need more.   You'll need a place to store it, and there's a bit of work involved breaking it down, but the savings are well worth it.   We get ~135 filled jugs out of each super sack.

    Big bag of litter
    We put out a call for empty tidy cat jugs, and we fill them with a grain scoop and funnel to give to our fosters.  When fosters need a refill, they only get a new jug of litter when they bring back the empty one.  

    Suggestion number 2: Pine Pellets.  Find a horse feed/tack store and see if they sell pine pellet bedding.  Same thing as the pine pellets marketed for cats, but a fraction of the price.  I think we were paying $7 for a 40# bag, but that was a few years ago.  Regardless, it was a fraction the cost of Feline Pine or an equivalent.  And like the super sack, if you buy a pallet at a time, they might be willing to deliver.

    Suggestion number 3: If there's a big box store in your area, like Target or Walmart, talk to them and ask what they do with their breakage and damaged pet products like litter and cat food.  An open or damaged box/bag of litter can't be sold, but it can be donated to a rescue/shelter instead of thrown out.  Same for opened/damaged boxes of food.   Again, there will be some work (you'll have to send someone on a very regular basis to pick this stuff up) but it can turn into a *lot* of free food and litter.

    Oh, and if you do wind up buying multiple (normal) bags of litter or pellets in large quantities, ask if they can give a discount, especially if you're planning to continue purchases going forward.  When you buy stuff a pallet at a time, they're usually willing to give you a break.  (The worst they can say is no, so ask!)

    Hope that helps.  Please let me know if you have questions.

    -Chris

    ​​​

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    chris zorzi
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  • 6.  RE: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    Posted 07-22-2022 10:11 AM
    All great ideas!  Thanks so much.  I will look into all of your suggestions.  :-)

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    Amy Berke
    St. Francis Animal Rescue of Venice Inc
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  • 7.  RE: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    Posted 07-22-2022 08:12 AM
    You might also look into chemical/oil absorbent, which is generally more cost effective than commercial litters.

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    chris fitzgerald
    Rochester Animal Services
    5854286898
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  • 8.  RE: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    Posted 07-22-2022 08:31 AM

    On Fri, Jul 22, 2022 at 11:11 AM chris fitzgerald via Maddie's Pet Forum <Mail@maddiesfund.org> wrote:
    You might also look into chemical/oil absorbent, which is generally more cost effective than commercial litters. ------------------------------... -posted to the "Animal Welfare Professionals Community" community/group

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    Re: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk
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    Jul 22, 2022 8:12 AM
    chris fitzgerald
    You might also look into chemical/oil absorbent, which is generally more cost effective than commercial litters.

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    chris fitzgerald
    Rochester Animal Services
    5854286898
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    Original Message:
    Sent: 7/22/2022 11:12:00 AM
    From: chris fitzgerald
    Subject: RE: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    You might also look into chemical/oil absorbent, which is generally more cost effective than commercial litters.

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    chris fitzgerald
    Rochester Animal Services
    5854286898
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  • 9.  RE: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    Posted 07-22-2022 10:14 AM
    Thank you.  I have never heard of this.  Is this product safe/non-toxic for animals?  We have to consider that the cats/kittens will be scratching in it and then possibly licking their feet, so we would need to know that this would be non-toxic if potentially ingested.

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    Amy Berke
    St. Francis Animal Rescue of Venice Inc
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  • 10.  RE: Where to purchase non-clumping cat litter in bulk

    Posted 07-25-2022 11:43 AM
    Sams Club has 52# bags for 11.98. Best I've found. Perhaps they'd be interested in working with a charitable organization and offering a better deal, otherwise  that's the best price I've found.

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    Carolyn Kostera
    NA
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