Stuff to Donate

By Tara Benwell on July 23rd, 2008

If you’re a parent like me, you’ve likely ended up with more stuffed animals than your children need. There will always be those few favourites that collect at the head or foot of your child’s bed and end up in keepsake boxes in basements to be found as treasures by subsequent generations. But due to birthdays, holidays, and not-so-special occasions, there are also dozens that your children likely pay little or no attention to and never will. Parent to parent, we all know that most of these misfits do not get adopted at your annual garage sale. (Though some do get rescued by our own children, or their pals, only to end up back in the same dark closet.)
For hygienic reasons, many thrift shops no longer accept old stuffies, no matter how ugly or cute they may be. You may also have difficulty finding a place to donate towels, blankets, baby pools, and cleaning supplies. I recently learned from a mom friend that the SPCA and other similar shelters welcome items such as stuffed animals that you may think belong in no other bin but the trash. This was great news, as my pile of “we don’t take that” was getting bigger by the day.
Whether you’re moving, downsizing, or doing your summer cleaning, now may be the time to contact your local animal shelter to find out which of the items below are on their wish list. Before you drop off your stuff, be sure to contact your local shelter to make sure your donations will be accepted.

SPCA Wish List

Animal Needs:

  • Dry kitten food
  • Dry Cat food
  • Dry puppy food
  • Canned cat and kitten food (urgent)
  • Temptation Cat treats
  • Dog treats
  • Cat structures
  • “Kong” Dog toys
  • Cat toys
  • Blankets
  • Cleaning Supplies:
  • Paper towels
  • Bleach
  • Glass Cleaner
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Fabric Softener
  • Dish Detergent
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Anti-bacterial Hand Soap
  • Towels

Office Supplies:

  • Paper (letter, legal)
  • Cartridges
  • Scotch Tape
  • Whiteout
  • All Occasions Greetings Cards
  • Stamps
  • Legal size file folders
  • Gift Cards from local retail stores

Seasonal:

  • Small children paddling pools
  • Planters

Have you and your family started a monthly Earth Hour yet? July 26th is the last Saturday of the month. Why not call your local shelter and find out what they are in need of? As you go around the house turning lights and power bars off for the evening, why not collect a few donations for your local animal shelter. You may find that your children are less attached to those unnamed teddies if they know they’re going to be the new best friend for an orphaned puppy or kitten.

WARNING: You may be asked by the shelter to poke out the eyes and noses of those stuffies to prevent choking hazards for the real animals. This may be an activity you want to save until after bedtime!

Make Current

  • http://Mexico.TravelVacationLeisure.com KatieMexico24

    The last blog i read didnt have as much info as this one :) ! Finally a good blog that has info worth reading . thx

  • http://www.tarabewell.bravejournal.com Tara

    Thanks! I’m glad you’re enjoying Talk Green! Please consider joining us in our monthly earth hour!

  • http://www.myrecycledbags.com RecycleCindy

    What a cool idea! I never thought about it but that would be a great recycling idea for our old stuff animals.

  • http://www.tarabenwell.bravejournal.com Tara

    Yes, I was so excited to see that SOMEONE wants stuffies. Now I’m trying to figure out what to do with old CD cases. We have three bags full! Anyone have any idea?

  • http://www.tarabenwell.com Tara Benwell

    So, our recycling centre took the CD cases. We have some great services in Penticton, BC, including one that takes old electronics and stuff liked dead cd’s and batteries. I couldn’t find anyone to take an old baby crib mattress, though. My husband was a few moments away from taking it to the dump today when I made a last minute phone call to the SPCA. They said, sure a doggie could sleep on it! I was so excited, I went running through the house yelling “I won”!

  • http://www.talkgreen.ca Frederick Carle

    Nice one Tara, the dog is probably very happy now that he has something nice to sleep on. But seriously it’s a great idea to bring this to the SPCA.

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    It is a pity that such topics are not the part of popular discussion often. There is a great need for the ones who wants raise their voice in this regard as well.
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    This is a very nice idea. I actually have a pile of stuff toys lying around my house and I do not know what to do with them. apart from that, they collect dust which is not really good for our health. Thanks for this.

  • Eric Levine

    Hmmm this system can make a change to our life style. We can keep clean home by recycled our old stuffs

  • http://biofuelca.com BiofuelCA

    I donate all my daughter's old clothes and toys. There are just sooo many things to donate, especially if you have very young kids. They grow out of their clothes in months basically.

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  • John Kramer

    I have two children and i used to buy some animal dolls every week for them. There are a bunch of toys are in our home right now. As you mentioned above for hygienic reasons, many thrift shops no longer accept old stuffies, no matter how ugly or cute they may be. Its true.
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  • http://www.tarabenwell.com/ Tara Benwell

    Glad to see people are still finding this post useful. I've launched a new Green section for educators here. Keepin it green in the classroom: http://edition.tefl.net/category/earth/

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  • http://www.thebarrierealestateblog.com/ Barrie Real Estate

    Last time I and my younger brother donated some of our oldies and never used clothes and stuffs. We donated it to poor family living near in our place. And donate that comes through the heart are such a healing power. I really appreciate you blog. Thanks!

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