Making pet beds is a wonderful way help local shelter animals while they wait for their fur-ever homes. The pet bed you make will help give dogs and cats housed at the shelter a safe, comforting space to rest. Once your pet bed is completed, your family can drop it off together at either Austin Animal Center or Austin Pets Alive's Town Lake Animal Center location.

Please gather the following materials below. Please make sure that all fabrics are clean and have been washed prior to the activity. We encourage families to use upcycled materials, such as old beach towels or stained or ripped T-shirts, or to purchase your materials secondhand. We recommend purchasing from Austin Creative Reuse or USE2 Neighborhood Reuse Center for those looking to purchase fleece from organizations that foster environmental conservation by keeping usable craft supplies out of local landfills.

Materials

• For the top and bottom layers of the bed: Two large towels OR two pieces of fleece that are the same size. If possible, we'd ask that the pieces be between 30-46" wide and 45-55" long.
• For the filling: Either 1-2 towels OR 2-6 old T-shirts OR 1-3 pieces of fleece. You may also use any combination of these materials if you wish. Please do not use pillows or fabrics that are not easily washable.
• Tools: Sharp scissors. Fabric scissors work best, but are not necessary.

You will receive a separate email with a Zoom link and password to the required online introduction and discussion with a Generation SERVE Activity Leader.

Virtual Activity Format

This is a live virtual volunteer activity designed to make our in-person volunteer experience accessible from home. Volunteer credit is available only to participants who attend the live Zoom session.

The Zoom session begins promptly at the scheduled start time. If you join the Zoom meeting more than 10 minutes after the scheduled start time, you will likely have missed a significant portion of the Activity Leader's introductory presentation and instructions. Participants who arrive more than 10 minutes after the scheduled start time will not receive volunteer credit.

The Zoom meeting may end before the scheduled end time, after which participants can complete the activity on their own.

If your plans change and you can no longer attend the live virtual meeting, we ask that you please cancel your RSVP so another family can enjoy this volunteer opportunity.

Activity Requirements

• This activity is a part of our Teen Service Day program and designed as a drop off event for teens ages 13 & up. These events curated and led by our Teen Advisory Board members and are designed for teens to experience volunteering with peers, not their parents. Children under age 13 and adults are not allowed for this activity.

More About Our Partner

The Austin Animal Center is an open-intake facility where lost and surrendered animals in need of shelter are accepted regardless of age, health, species or breed. The goal of the Austin Animal Center is to place all adoptable animals in forever homes.