Spring cleaning

Been trying to clean and organize after the holidays. I know.. it's February but we've been kinda busy. 

Any hoo, the kids and I had a productive day. We dropped off 7 bags of stuff to the Salvation Army. Then took 2.5 bags to the kids consignment store. They only took about 1.5 bags full.  So I'm googling to find out where to donate used toys and I came across this list. Never new animal shelters would take donations. Just wanted to share this in case you are planning to spring clean… keep the animal shelters on your list of places to donate to.

Here are 10 commom items that are welcomed at many animal shelters:

- Blanket: Fleece blankets are especially good for ped bedding. They keep animals warm and comfortable and hopefully make them feel at home in the shelter until they find a cozier permanent home.

- Plastic bags (with no holes!). Because doggy doo happens. We're not sure how much of an effect the plastic bag ban in SF had had on shelters' supplies of pastic bags, but we know that plastic bags are always welcome donation items.

- Heating pads (good condition only). They're used to comfort and keep newborn kittens, puppies and wildlife infants warm.

- Cleaning supplies. Keeping shelters clean and sterile is a huge job. They are never at a loss for paper towels, large trash bags, bleach, dish and laundry detergents, buckets mops and broom, etc.

- Batterires. Some shelters need AA and AAA batteries to run their microchip scanners.

- Baby food. The strained meat variety is used to feed kittens.

- Latex and rubber gloves. For animal andling and cleaning purposes.

- Office supplies. Pens, pencils, staplers, etc, to be used for administrative purposes in the shelter offices or front desk.

- Other bathroom liens. Some shelters also take bath mats and fluffy toilet seat covers to line animal crates.

- Cell phones. Donate them in the name of your favorite participating animal shelter (or other good cause) at WirelessFundraiser.com. Participating shelters earn commission from cell phones that are donated in the name of their cause. The web site allows donors to print a postage paid shipping label to send in their old phones.

It's always a good idea to call your local shelter before dropping off donations to see what they need most.

How can you look at this face and not help.