Quilters rally to help their Furry Friends

 

volunteer quilters.

Chief inspector Pearl Dolson looks over just a few of the many quilts that arrived from across the country as part of a “kennel quilts” initiative

Furry Friends Foundation has been blanketed in quilts over the past few weeks. After a Facebook post by The Quilt Pattern Magazine, Furry Friends began receiving small boxes and plump padded envelopes — 30 in all — full of “kennel quilts.” Some even included treats.

The quilts are part of a program to provide comfort to animals affected by disasters.

The Quilt Pattern Magazine small-kennel quilt team was formed after Hurricane Sandy to help animal shelters affected by disasters. Furry Friends was contacted as a result of the Grandview Fire and other fires burning in Oregon.

“When I let them know we weren’t actually a kennel they said they help organizations like Furry Friends, too,” said Kiki Dolson, executive director, i.e. “Top Dog” for Furry Friends Foundation. “I did make sure they knew about PET (Pet Evacuation Team), who were taking care of the evacuated animals at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds, who I understand also received the small kennel quilts.”

The small, 12-by-18-inch quilts are the perfect size to fit into a kennel for a cat or small dog. The Quilt Pattern Magazine small-kennel quilt team is an entirely volunteer organization. The small quilts are made from all colors and patterns of fabrics. All made with exceptional care, some are elaborately pieced, and others are single, brightly-colored quilted pieces.

The packages arrived from all over the country including South Carolina, Indiana, Arizona, Massachusetts, Florida, Maryland, New York, California, North Carolina, Minnesota, Georgia, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, New Jersey, and Maine. Most were from individual quilters, but some came from clubs like Capital Quilts of Gathersburg, Maryland, and Apple Valley Needle Threaders of Berryville, Virginia.

“The outpouring of support from all over the country was really remarkable,” Dolson said. “My dining room table and the floor around it was stacked with boxes, each one with a treasure of little quilts inside.”

All-in-all there were 347 small-kennel quilts received, though some have arrived just this week.

“I reached out to Bend Spay & Neuter to see if they would like some of the little quilts. I thought how nice for the kitties to go home after their surgeries with their own little quilts. So last week I delivered 239 quilts to them, saving the rest to be distributed through our pet food and supply bank,” Dolson said.

Bend Spay & Neuter responded with a note:

“What a thoughtful gift and a wonderful way to send home some extra love with the kitties after surgery. Bend Spay & Neuter sends its gratitude to Furry Friends and to the small-kennel quilt team!”

These kinds of donations are what make Furry Friends special to the Sisters community. Furry Friends Foundation continues to offer free spay/neuter/vaccination vouchers and free pet food and pet supplies to families in financial difficulty and seniors on fixed incomes.

Dolson noted, “We operate primarily through private donation, grants, and funds earned from our bottle and can drive. We are so thankful for the community’s support, but as of August, donations are down for the year, so any donation amount would be much appreciated.”

To donate to Furry Friends go to www.furryfriendsfoundation.org or call 541-797-4023 for more information or if you need assistance.

 

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