Current At Home Service Projects

Completed service projects may be submitted any time Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. to the Volunteer Services Office. Please feel free to ask for a service hours acknowledgement form when you submit your completed projects.

Recipe for Oat Dog Biscuits

One batch earns two volunteer service hours.

You Need:

  • 2 ½ cups oats
  • 1 tsp. salt (or less)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. beef or chicken bouillon granules (can substitute beef or chicken broth/stock)
  • ½ cup hot water

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350°
  • Dissolve bouillon in hot water
  • Add remaining ingredients
  • Knead dough until it forms a ball (approximately 3 minutes)
  • Roll dough until ½ inch thick
  • Cut into slices or bone shapes
  • Place dough pieces on lightly greased cookie sheet
  • Bake for 30 minutes

Apple Cinnamon Dog Treats

One batch earns two volunteer service hours.

You Need:

  • 1 small Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated (about ⅓ cup grated apple)
  • 3 tbsp. unsweetened natural applesauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F
  • Mix apple, applesauce, honey, water, and egg in a bowl. Stir to combine thoroughly.
  • Sift flour & cinnamon together.
  • Add the flour & cinnamon mixture to the wet mixture in 2 or 3 additions, stirring well after each addition.
  • Knead the dough by hand until all of the flour is absorbed, and the dough is smooth & flexible.
  • Generously flour a board or countertop, and roll the dough to about ¼ inch thick.
  • Cut the dough into about 1″ pieces and arrange on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • Bake about 20 minutes, until firm to the touch. Allow to cool completely.
  • Store in a ziplock bag or other airtight container.

Fleece Dog Tug Toy

One dog tug toy earns one volunteer service hour.

These are super easy to make, and you actually probably already know how! Have you ever made a plastic lace lanyard? We’re going to use that same technique here, but with fleece.
Gather your materials including fleece, scissors and ruler. You’re going to need four strips of fleece for each tug toy. The width of each fleece strip is going to depend on the size of dog you’re making it for:

  • For big dogs (greater than 70 lbs), you need four strips, each 4 inches wide X 20 inches long
  • For large dogs (greater than 40 lbs), you need four strips, each 3 inches wide X 16 inches long
  • For medium and small dogs (less than 40 lbs), you need four strips, each 2 inches wide X 12 inches long

You can use a rotary cutter on this, but you can also cut them with scissors. The edges won’t show, and if you have something scraggly, you can trim it easily. Don’t worry about selvedge edges because we will be trimming those off later.

Directions:

  1. Grab your strips and tie them together on one end, leaving a few inches of fleece on one side of the knot. Pull each strip tightly to make sure your knot is secure:
    dog-tug-toy-01
  2. Spread the strips out so you have one going in each direction. We’re going to call them North, South, East, and West for the purposes of this tutorial:
    dog-tug-toy-02
  3. For the first pass, you will always do this: fold South towards North and North towards South.
  4. Fold East over South and through North. Fold West over North and through South:
    dog-tug-toy-03_04
  5. Tighten each strip (not too tight, though – just so it’s neat). Do this by pulling North and South, then East and West, and repeating until they’re all even and situated nicely:
    dog-tug-toy-05
  6. When it’s your desired length, take your four strands and tie them off near the braid/boondoggle. You’ll want to leave more end than you think to easily tie them off, and so you can finish off the ends with fringe. Pull each strand tightly to ensure a secure knot:
    dog-tug-toy-06
  7. Finally, grab your scissors and cut the strips at the ends to the same length, and chop off the selvedge edges. Then cut the two ends almost to the knots to make fringe for extra fun:
    dog-tug-toy-07

Octopus Dog Toy

One octopus dog toy earns one volunteer service hour.

You Need:

  • Tennis ball
  • 2 pieces of fleece (44″ x 6″)
  • 1 piece of fleece (10″ x 1″)
  • Scissors

Directions

  • Use scissors to cut fleece into 2 pieces measuring 44″ by 6″ and 1 piece measuring 10″ x 1″.
  • Lay the two wide strips of fabric in the shape of an X and place the ball in the middle.
  • Wrap the ball with all the layers and gather the strips at the bottom of the ball.
  • Take your skinny strip and tie a tight double knot to secure the fabric-wrapped ball. Now you should have four wide strips hanging from the base of your ball.
  • Cut each of the four strips into three even sections. You will have 12 sections total.
  • Braid the 3 newly cut strips and knot it at the bottom. Repeat until you have 4 braids total.
  • Note: it is very important that the braids be tight. If the braids are loose, we will be unable to give them to the dogs due to safety issues

To learn more about this craft, check out this video.

Reminder: Never leave your pet alone with a toy.

Cat Bed (Most Needed Item)

One cat bed earns one volunteer service hour.

You Need:

  • 2 pieces lightweight fleece material (18” x 24”)
  • Scissors

Directions:

  • Lay 1 piece of fabric on a flat surface and cut 4” fringe along all 4 sides
  • Repeat this for the second piece of fabric
  • Layer the first piece of fabric onto of second piece of fabric and lay flat on a table or the floor
  • Using a piece of fringe from the top layer and a piece of fringe from the bottom layer, tie a knot
    Pic of Knots 3
  • Repeat knotting around all four sides
  • Finished product should measure 11” x 17”
    Cat_Bed

Cat Toys

Five cat toys earn one volunteer service hour.

You Need:

  • Infant Socks (INFANT SOCKS ONLY)
  • Stuffing or fiberfill
  • Dry Catnip

Directions:

  • Take an infant sock and fill from toe to heel with stuffing (stuffed portion of sock should NOT be longer than 2”)
  • Add a pinch of dry catnip
  • Pinch the sock around the heel and ankle, then stretch the ankle and cuff and tie the sock closed in a knot (do NOT use ribbon or string to tie sock closed)
  • Done! This is an easy cat toy to make, and cats love it.
  • Finished toy should NOT be longer than 3 ½”

cat-toy-sock-examples

Cat Wand

One cat wand toy earns two volunteer service hours.

You Need:

  • Wooden dowel
  • Colorful duct tape
  • A pet snack bag, and/or fabric

Directions:

  • Take a 12″ piece of duct tape and place it sticky side up.
  • Cut the snack bag and/or fabric into thin strips about 4″ x ½”.
  • Then take strips of material and place them one by one on the tape, but leave some room at the bottom of the tape to stick to the dowel.

  • Next take your dowel and place it at one side of the tape and start rolling. Try to keep it as even as possible.
  • Once the tape has been rolled up and secure the toy is complete!

Cat Puzzle Box

One cat puzzle toy earns one volunteer service hour.

You Need:

  • Toilet paper or paper towel rolls
  • Empty square or rectangle tissue box or a shoe box
  • Non-toxic glue
  • Scissors

Directions:

  • If using a tissue box, cut off the top so that the box is open.
  • Cut the tubes to the same length as the height of the box if needed.
  • Place the tubes in the box, gluing each one in place as you go.
  • Continue until the box is filled snuggly with the tubes.
  • Animal Care staff can fill the tubes with yummy treats for the cats enjoyment!

To learn more about this craft, check out this video.

Fleece Flower Cat Toy

Two cat puzzle toys earns one volunteer service hour.

You Need:

  • Zip tie or plastic ring from a milk container
  • Scissors
  • Many square pieces of fleece (recommended: 6 inches x 1.5 inches)

Directions:

  • If you are using a zip tie then make the diameter of the ring about 1 inch long, and cut off tail
    end leaving just the circle.
  • Take the square piece of fleece and cut it into 12-14 strips. Use additional fabric if
    necessary to cover ring.
  • Tie strips onto the ring. Please double knot it for extra safety.
  • Continue tying fleece to the ring until you cannot see any part of it.


    • Must monitor pet when they play with this toy.

Kitten Sunshine Toy DIY Project

Ten sunshine toys earn one volunteer service hour.

You Need:

  • Scissors
  • Empty toilet paper roll(s)

Directions:

  • Beginning on one end of the toilet paper roll, cut vertical 1.5 inch strips about ½ an inch thick and work your way around the perimeter of the circle.
  • Repeat on the opposite end of the roll.
  • When finished, gently bend each strip on both sides of the roll outwards, forming a sunshine ray effect.

Kitten Ring Ball Toy DIY Project

Five ring ball toys earn one volunteer service hour.

You Need:

  • Scissors
  • 1 empty toilet paper roll
  • Cat treats (optional)

Directions:

  • Beginning on one end, cut the toilet paper roll into even rings (about ½ an inch wide).
  • When finished, begin to place the rings inside of each other in a criss-cross pattern to form a round shape.
  • Before closing the ball completely, you may insert a few cat treats and then add the last of the rings.

Bunny Paper Roll DIY Project

Three bunny paper rolls earn one volunteer service hour.

Bunny-Paper-Roll

You Need:

  • Scissors
  • 1 empty toilet paper roll
  • Oat hay, timothy hay or alfalfa

Directions:

  1. Beginning on one end, cut the toilet paper roll into even rings (about ½ an inch wide).
  2. When finished, begin to place the rings inside of each other in a criss-cross pattern to form a round shape.
  3. Before closing the ball completely, insert a treat such as timothy hay and then add the last of the rings.
  4. Give this fun treat toy to your rabbit and watch as they have a blast trying to get the treat inside!

Bunny Tissue Box DIY Project

Four bunny tissue boxes earn one volunteer service hour.

Bunny-Tissue-Box

You Need:

  • Scissors
  • 1 tissue box (any type)
  • About 4 toilet paper rolls (quantity may vary depending on the size of your tissue box)
  • Oat hay, timothy hay or alfalfa

Directions:

  1. Cut out and remove any plastic from the opening of the tissue box.
  2. Place the toilet paper rolls into the tissue box one by one until the entire opening of the box is covered (paper rolls should fit snuggly).
  3. Drop treat(s) such as timothy hay into each individual toilet paper roll.
  4. Give this entertaining treat toy to your bunny and let them have fun as they try to get to the treats!

Rabbit Rattle Toy

Two rabbit rattles earn one volunteer service hour.

You Need:

  • Paper Bags
  • Scissors
  • Toilet paper tubes
  • A wood stick (store bought willow or apple sticks only)
  • Twine or sisal (rabbit safe rope)
  • Rabbits treats, timothy hay

Directions:

  1. Cut off the bottom part of a paper bag (shown in picture)
  2. Make a longitudinal cut to the bag on one side only.

  3. Lay out the paper, and put the toilet paper roll on it.
  4. Fill the toilet paper roll with treats, hay, and the willow or apple stick. (CAUTION: only use twigs or sticks that you have purchased from a pet store, and are meant for rabbits. Certain woods are toxic to rabbits.) The stick should be big enough to stick out at both ends of the toilet paper roll.
  5. Roll the toilet paper roll up in the paper bag.

  6. Cut off the excess paper, twist the ends and give to the rabbit for enjoyment.

Rabbit Roll Toy

Two rabbit roll toys earn one volunteer service hour.

You Need:

  • Piece of cardboard (recommended: 6″ x 12″)
  • Pencil
  • Round template or compass to draw circles (recommended: 3″ diameter)
  • Scissors

Directions:

  1. Use the pencil to trace three circles of the same size on a piece of cardboard, and cut them out.

  2. Circle 1: On one piece cut four slits about 1/3 the length of the diameter that are of equal size and length. They should also be as evenly spaced as possible.
  3. Circle 2 & 3: On the other two pieces cut a slit half the diameter of the circle, and cut out a “T” shape.

  4. Take Circle 1 and fold it in half, which will reveal one slot in the middle.
  5. Take the folded Circle 1 and slide it into the T slot of Circle 2.

  6. Once the two circles are joined, unfold the flaps of the Circle 1 and fold them up.

  7. Now insert Circle 3 slot into Circle 3 slot.

  8. Raise flaps of Circle 1 to give the toy a 3D ball shape.

Hamster Hidey Hut

One hamster hidey hut earns one volunteer service hour.

You Need:

  • Small balloon
  • Cup
  • Roll of toilet paper
  • Water

Directions:

  1. Blow up the balloon and place it on the open end of the cup.
  2. Wet strips of the toilet paper in water and plaster it around the balloon leaving an opening.
  3. For the next layer, stick the dry toilet paper to the balloon and sprinkle water over the toilet paper as needed to ensure all the layers of toilet paper stick.
  4. Keep layering the toilet paper onto the balloon until you have used about half a roll of toilet paper.
  5. Once the layering is done, it is time to dry! You can either stick the hidey hut outside in the sun, somewhere dry inside, or you can use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process. After a few hours, the hidey hut should be dry enough to remove the balloon!
  6. To remove the balloon, pop it and then remove the popped balloon from the inside of the hidey hut.
  7. Set the hidey hut back in its drying place to finish drying. It can take up to 2 days for the toy to completely dry.
  8. Once your hidey hut is completely dry, it is ready to be given to your hamster!

Remember always to use clean, unscented toilet paper for small animal toys and never allow a small animal to interact with an inflated or deflated balloon.

DIY Snuffle Mat

One Snuffle Mat earns four volunteer service hours.

You Need:

  • Rubber Sink Mat with holes (12 x 15 inches is recommended)
  • 1 yard of fleece (thinner fleece is better)
  • Scissors

Directions:

  1. Cut fleece into strips. The strips should be about 1.5 inches wide, and anywhere from 4 to 8 inches long. Variety in length makes for a more interactive mat.
  2. Starting on the edge of the first row of the mat, take a strip of fleece and push one end through the first hole of the first row and the other through the second. Flip the mat over and tie the strip once (no need to double knot it).
  3. Take a second strip and push one end through the second hole alongside the strip already there, then push the other end through the third hole. Again, turn over the mat and knot the strip. Continue until you finish one length of the rubber mat. Repeat on the second row of holes.
  4. When you have two rows done, take a strip of fleece and push one end through the first hole in the first row, then push the other end through the first hole in the second row. Turn the mat over and single-knot the fleece. This strip is at right angles to the first one. Continue between the first and second rows until completed.
  5. Repeat this process on subsequent rows until all holes in the mat have been filled in.
  6. When done, check the bottom of the mat to make sure there are no empty holes or missed cross strips. If you find some, fill them in and then turn the mat over, loose strip side up, and fluff the strips.

DIY Dog Bandana

Five dog bandanas earn one volunteer service hour.
Step 7 Willow

You Need:

  • Regular scissors or pinking scissors
  • Half yard of quilting fabric (holiday/seasonal fabrics are always appreciated!)
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Tailor’s tape measure (regular tape measure or yard stick will also work)
  • Large paper bag or craft paper

Supplies

Directions:

Option 1: Medium-Sized Bandana
Option 2: Large-Sized Bandana

step-1-3

    1. Lay your craft paper on a table or flat surface. If you are using a large paper bag as your craft paper, cut it open and lay it flat.
    2. For a medium-sized bandana, draw a 26” horizontal line on your craft paper. For a large-sized bandana, draw a 36” horizontal line.
    3. Locate the middle point of the line and draw a vertical line downwards. For a medium-sized bandana, draw an 8” line. For a large-sized bandana, draw a 10” line.
    4. Draw two diagonal lines connecting the tip of the vertical line to the end points of the horizontal line, forming a triangle.
    5. Cut the triangle pattern out.

step-4-6

  1. Place the pattern on top of the fabric and cut the pattern out. *You may need to use a small weighted object to hold the pattern in place during this step.
  2. You are all done! You can also save the paper pattern cut-out to make more bandanas!