Cat shelters worldwide need all the support they can get as they work tirelessly to grant rescue kitties a second chance. So when a new haven for these furbabies emerges, Furbo For Good is here to help!
Furbo For Good’s Commitment to Kitties Everywhere
In March 2024, Furbo For Good rallied in the first public-private partnership charity event of the year to celebrate the opening of Puzzle Cat’s new shelter in the Nangang district of Taipei, Taiwan. Volunteers worked for hours crafting handmade cat scratchers to welcome the new kitties to their temporary home.
But Furbo For Good has been hard at work to support cattos in need since 2022. In 2023, Furbo volunteers met in Houtong, Taiwan, to build shelters for the 200+ cats that inhabit the village. In addition to a cozy place to snooze, these shelters continue to provide safety from bad weather and a centralized location for medical professionals to treat these furry friends for unwanted pests and illnesses.
Furbo is dedicated to improving the well-being of rescue pets around the world. Their initiatives provide meals, shelter, training, and more to make a pawsitive difference!
How to Make a Handmade Cat Scratcher
You can also make these DIY cat scratchers for your local shelter (or your kitty at home)! All you’ll need is:
- Several old T-shirts (preferably in different colors)
- Scissors
- Thread and needle
- Rope
- Hot glue gun
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, you’re ready to start.
1. Working with one shirt at a time, lay the t-shirt flat on a table with the bottom of the shirt pointed toward you.
2. Starting at the bottom of the shirt and working up, cut each shirt into 1-2 inch wide strips. Try to keep the width consistent between strips!
3. Using strips from the same shirt, knot the ends together to make one long strip. The size of your cat scratcher will depend on the length of your connected strips. Longer strips = a wider cat scratcher. Repeat this process for each color until you’ve connected all small strips.
4. Choose 3 strands and line them up so the top and the bottom of each are even. Using the needle and thread, stitch the strands together at the top.
5. Once secure, begin braiding the strands together.
🐱 Pro Tip: Place something heavy like a book at the top of the braid as you work your way down. This will keep your braid from loosening.
6. Fasten the end of the braid with a stitch similar to the top.
7. Measure and cut your rope to match the length of the braid.
8. Line up the top of your braid with the top of the rope. Carefully glue the tops together with the hot glue gun.
8. Lay the now-connected rope and braid on the table. Grabbing the glued section near the top with your index finger and thumb, rotate the pieces in one direction. This will tighten the pieces as they spiral together. It’s important to keep it pressed onto the table so the shape stays even!
10. As you rotate, add small amounts of glue between the braid and the rope to help it stay together.
11. When you’ve reached your desired size (or the end of your fabric or rope), wrap one final layer of rope around the outside. If you’re feeling creative, a bit of extra rope can be used to add cat ears or whiskers!
Being in a shelter is a stressful experience for kitties waiting for their furever home. Having access to a cat scratcher lets them engage in their natural behaviors like stretching, sharpening their claws, and marking their territory. Any bit of comfort hoomans can provide these kitties-in-waiting makes life less scary.
Keep Calm and Claw On With Furbo
Shelters like Puzzle Cat rely on hoomans to promote cat adoption and help rescue kitties all across the globe. You too can join the cause! With each purchase of the Furbo 360° Cat Camera, Furbo For Good can donate $1 to help rescue pets worldwide.
Grab your Furbo 360° Cat Camera and help rescue pets find their safe and happy future 🐈💕
