In the weeks following Hurricane Sandy, the Petfinder Foundation was contacted by Nan Baker of The Quilt Pattern Magazine with one question: “How can we help?” With an audience who loves quilting, and many shelters in need of blankets to keep their pets warm, there was a clear answer. The Petfinder Foundation provided the names of groups in need of blankets for their pets. With that information, the online magazine asked its subscribers to put their passion to good use by creating small “kennel quilts” for the pets affected by the disaster. (You can see the pattern and the list of shelters who need quilts here.)
How did their audience respond? With more than 60 quilts made and mailed, and more on the way.
St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in New Jersey said the quilts they received have been a big help to their shelter and the shelters they are assisting.
Vice President Nora Parker says, “The quilts are the PERFECT size for the kitty Kuranda beds that we (and many others) use at the shelter, so they work for both the cubbies and around the cattery when the cats are out lounging around.
“We’ve been happy we could send some off to the supply spot at the Jersey Shore. We will send more when we have them as we are keeping that spot stocked for those folks into the new year. The quilts keep coming in! I thought you’d like to know that we’ve just received a package with seven quilts and a sweet note from a lady in ENGLAND!”
The generous readers of The Quilt Pattern Magazine aren’t slowing down, and they expect this to be an ongoing effort. Nan Baker tells us, “We know there will be more occasions where quilts are needed, and we want to be ready to respond when there is a need! The shelters that have received the quilts have been so appreciative. This is one way we can let them know we are so grateful for the work they are doing in taking care of animals in need.”
The Quilt Pattern Magazine has free downloadable patterns on their website for anyone who wishes to contribute to this effort. Get the pattern here. To learn more about the effort, read The Quilt Pattern Magazine’s blog or visit the magazine’s Kennel Quilt page to download the pattern and see a list of shelters in need.
