People get it! They understand how stressed homeless pets become. And, that’s precisely why they are knitting kitty cuddle blankets for felines of all ages to use while they wait to get adopted.
Did you know that if a cat (or dog) is able to relax and snuggle in something soft and soothing, its anxiety level drops? Well, that’s precisely what happens, and its personality will then start to shine. The benefit is that these pets will attract more attention from potential adopters. Consequently, the animals have a far better chance of transitioning to a loving home.
What To Expect
For this article we go first to a small rescue in Canada and after highlight a much larger organization in England. Then finally we are delighted to share with you a very special knitting pattern. And in addition to that, we’ll also talk about a long established business that’s known the world over for its high quality, innovative yarns.
Feral To Friendly Cat Rescue, Canada
To start off we go to Brantford, Ontario, where Celena Brooks-Ferraro and her team of dedicated volunteers rescue abandoned and lost cats. However, most of their work revolves around the local feral population. And this effort includes making sure that all the roaming cats and kittens benefit from the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program.
Feral To Friendly Cat Rescue, Canada
Hand Knitted Cat Bedding
When it comes to the feral kittens, foster homes will take them in for socialization and then adopt them out as indoor cats.That is when a local resident in Canada, who posts on social media under the name Five Petal Lane, got involved in this endeavor.
She realized that she could assist by using her crocheting skills to make bedding that helps fulfill the tiny felines’ comfort needs. Initially the blankets line the crates used to hold the kittens temporarily. Later the bedding is put out in other sleeping areas. That way, the little ones are sure to feel snug and safe all year round.
On The Other Side Of The Atlantic
As I mentioned before, we’re also paying a visit to England. Now it’s pretty obvious that the title of this article focuses on kitty blankets. However, we thought you’d be interested to hear about two other aspects that are directly related to today’s main topic.
So, please read on to learn what a shelter and a yarn manufacturer have been doing for quite a while. They care about animal welfare and make sure that knitters have the tools and the opportunity to make lots and lots of kitties happy. And, by the way, they’ve both been household names for around a century and a half!
Battersea Dogs And Cats Home, England
Just south of the river Thames, not too far from where I grew up, is an institution that few Londoners have not heard of. Established back in 1860, it became a temporary home for lost and starving dogs.
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home is a shelter that cares for over 8,000 animals every year. Of this number, approximately 5,000 are dogs and 3,000 are cats. Importantly, all of them stay here until they are either reunited with their owners or are rehomed.
Some Battersea Stats
- This organization, which, by the way, is not subsidized by the government, has a staff of around 300, in addition to 1,000 volunteers.
- They operate at three different locations, namely, London, Old Windsor, and Brands Hatch.
- The average stay for a dog is 36 days, and for a cat it is 27 days.
State Of The Art Cattery
In 2011, and at a cost of £2 million (2.5 million US dollars), Battersea inaugurated its new cattery. And, just what can a cat expect to find? It’s own private room where it is free to roam. A floor-to-ceiling window, heated flooring and full-size door so staff can walk right in. No more staying in a cage. No more being let out and put back in. And, last but by no means least, most of the beds have hand knitted snuggle throws. The whole purpose is to create an environment with the feel of a real home. And now this brings us back to knitting.
Knitting Kitty Cuddle Blankets At Knitting Kittens Club
Whether you’re a novice knitter or someone with considerable experience, it makes no difference at the Battersea London Cattery. Everyone has a great time at the monthly knitting events, sharing a common interest — to create blankets and toys for the felines. What’s more, the kitties can roam around the same specially designated area. They actually supervise the knitters and make sure they don’t dropped a stitch!
At the three-hour sessions, visitors bring their own wool and needles as well as share patterns, ideas and skills with the other participants. They are free to take their work home for their own pet to enjoy or else donate to the ones awaiting adoption. And, by the way, when a cat or kitten is adopted, it can take the hand knitted cat bedding to the new home.
What a great way to spend an evening. Knit for a while. Take a break to play with a kitty. Pick up the needles again. It’s a win-win situation for everyone, those with whiskers and those without!
You can click here for more on the Kittens Club https://www.battersea.org.uk/support-us/events/knitting-kittens-club
The Sirdar Story
When I was growing up, Sirdar was a household name, that is, if anyone in your family knew how to knit. So, when I was looking online for a knitting pattern that could help illustrate this story, I was delighted to find a great example.
But before you get out the needles, let me tell you a little about this great company founded in West Yorkshire, in the north of England. And, for those of you who may not know this, it’s a region renowned for raising sheep for wool, and spinning and weaving.
Known today as Sirdar Spinning Ltd, the company started off as Messrs Harrap Bros. Ltd in 1880 and was founded by siblings Tom and Henry. Tom’s son Fred took over in 1934 at a time when the company was selling its hand-knitting yarns to independent wool shops.
Then, beginning in the 1960s and throughout the following three decades, Fred’s daughter, Jean Tyrell, grew the company (then Sirdar) by adding patterns to its product line. Notably, she received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contribution to the industry.
Three years before she passed away in 2010, three of the company’s directors took over operations. During that time the expansion continued and the range of yarns and patterns became available all over the world.
In 2017, Sirdar became a part of DMC which is the largest needle-craft group of companies in the world. And thanks to the fashion-forward designs and yarns they launch each season, this English brand continues to maintain its position as a market leader.
For a glimpse at the variety of this brand’s yarns and patterns, click here: https://www.yarn.com/categories/sirdar-yarn and https://www.yarn.com/categories/sirdar-patterns
How To Knit the Fish Pattern Blanket and Garter Stitch Pattern Blanket
Here are the two patterns you’ve all been waiting for! And, when your work is complete, please take a photo of it being used so we can publish it here for everyone to see. Good luck and have fun knitting for the cats and kittens.
Reproduced by permission of Sirdar Spinning Ltd.
Reproduced by permission of Sirdar Spinning Ltd.
Reproduced by permission of Sirdar Spinning Ltd.
Reproduced by permission of Sirdar Spinning Ltd.
To Sum Up
Doing whatever you can to help the less fortunate dogs and cats in your neighborhood is a wonderful thing. And, because the interest in making bedding and toys for them is growing, we will be publishing more articles like this soon. So, please stay in touch.
Together, let’s keep our precious pets healthy, happy and safe!
You’ll definitely want to click on this link to one of our most widely-viewed articles. Who’d have imagined how unwanted armchairs could end up helping dogs and cats get adopted? https://petpeevesunmasked.com/shelter-dogs-love-their-armchairs/