Upgrading Your Christmas Stockings?

Don’t pitch the old ones just yet.

For a few years, I knitted dog sweaters and collected donations for pets in local shelters. One of the best and most fun parts of running this charitable project was the Christmas Stocking Donations. I gathered up old stockings, and purchased some cheap ones at the dollar store. Then, filled them with affordable toys and treats (thanks to TJ Maxx and Home Goods, and kind hearted people).

If you are updating your Christmas decor, knitting your own stockings, or just want to make a big impact in a shelter pet’s life – keep reading.

Why fill Christmas Stockings for Shelter Pets?

The shelters hung the stockings on the kennels for a bit of festive decor, but they also sent these home as goodie bags for pets who got adopted over the holidays. This alleviates the burden of running out to shop for new toys the very minute you bring a new pet home.

For the pets that didn’t get adopted, well the contents of the stockings were used to give them some much needed holiday cheer.

So this year, skip the landfill. Instead, fill the Christmas Stockings you’d normally discard with pet products and drop them off at your local animal shelter. You’re helping the planet while spoiling a pet in need.

Need another reason? Murphy said so!

How to create a stocking full of cheer:

1. Find your stocking- you can order cheap ones, donate a gently used one, or purchase one from an affordable store like Target, TJ Maxx or Home Goods.
2. Shop! Go out and find some fun toys, leashes, treats, blankets – anything that will bring a bit of cheer to a lonely pet pining for a home for the holidays.
3. Visit your local shelter and make your donation!

It’s as simple as that! If you’re really feeling charitable, fill a couple of stockings!

Read More on Dog Tipper and Global K9 Protection.