Donating bedding to the animal shelter/humane society - what to give them?

[ReSomething]

Do they really want it and what sorts of things do they want? Should I go after the elasticky parts with scissors first?

So far I have a threadbare comforter, brandnew mattress pad with brand new elastic and a huge hole in the middle, tatty blankets, lots of sheets, some threadbare, holes stains etc, and quite a few 4X sized sweatpants and tees - lots of fabric there.

I don’t want to waste my time or theirs by bringing them things that they get to throw away, but I know bedding is sorely needed. Thx in advance!

[Brookes]

Call your local shelter and ask them. Each shelter has it’s own requirements and needs. I just dropped off 3 old comforters for ours last week. Just give them a call or visit their website. Ours has a ‘wish list’ on their site of things they need at the shelter. You may have something on the list that you don’t need at home! Good for you for donating!

[MunchingonHay]

I agree with Brookes, when I donated old bedding, towels, etc I just took it all in and they took what they needed. They also took a half gallon of puppy shampoo that I had, unused rubber bowls, a couple of litter boxes and 2 carriers (cat, small dog sized).

[ReSomething]

I’m a shift worker and my schedule doesn’t jibe with many volunteer type things such as the local animal shelter, I also don’t do too well dragging myself out of bed to answer return calls so calling, even though it’s a no brainer, just doesn’t work that well for me. I’ll be heading off today on an errand and stop by with my bag of goodies and get rid of it one way or another - thanks for the replies!

[crosscreeksh]

Last year I took 3 huge leaf bags of “stuff” to the local shelter. I included sheets, blankets, quilts, towels, mattress pads, and baby blankets. I figured they could cut up the larger pieces to suit their needs. I did not include anything with a really loose weave that could catch sharp toe nails or teeth. The people were EXTREMELY thankful!!

[ReeseTheBeast]

I actually called my local humane society just a couple of weeks ago to ask them the very same question, OP.

My local HS said that they could not accept anything with elastic on it (like fitted sheets), anything with stuffing or filling (like a comfortor with down or polyester fill), or any pillowcases.

So I cut the elastic off the fitted sheets, and cut the pillowcases at 2 of the seams (one long end, and the short end) so that it would lay out flat like a sheet.

I’m planning on dropping everything off to them today, actually, although I’m not 100% sure what they will/can use. But I figure they can toss what they don’t need/can’t use; or otherwise do what they please with it.

I just hope that at least some of the bedding I’m donating will bring at least a little comfort and warmth to some animals in need. I wish I could take them all home… but since I can’t, I figure that what I can try to do is help where I can.

Although, I my idea of “help” also includes causing physical pain to all of the owners who don’t spay/neuter their pets; and to inflict capital punishment on the assholes who abandon/drop off in the middle of a road or highway (or remote field, barn, wilderness)/neglect/starve/abuse their animals.

But I digress.

I agree with calling them ahead of time to see what they can/can not take; and then donating what they can’t to somewhere like Goodwill or the Salvation Army (if its in “donatable” condition, of course).

Relatedly, I know that one of my family friends who ran a car detailing business was always looking for scraps of material (soft cloth) that he could use to clean and detail the cars he worked on. So there’s another use for scrap material if the HS can’t take it, and it’s not in ‘donatable’ condition.

[Louise]

Those of you who don’t have bedding to donate and a little extra money for holiday donations may want to consider donating one or more of these Kuranda beds. http://kuranda.com/donate I first heard of them when the shelter I work with made a special request for them. They keep dogs and cats off of the floor, comfortable and they are very easy to clean. The page I have linked takes you directly to Kuranda’s donation page. They give a 28% discount for donations to shelters. The beds are shipped directly to the shelter. The dogs and cats at my shelter seem to really like them. I see them in use whenever I go.

The last time I made a donation, I also bought one for my cats. I put it directly over the register. Because it is off of the floor, it doesn’t block the register, and the cats love sleeping there in warm comfort.