Comfort for Critters

     Winter 2025

 ~ Critter News ~

Happy New Year!

As we start another January, I'm thrilled to be able to wish everyone a very happy new year. CFC will turn 18 years old this year, which still just amazes me. From making a few blankets, after I adopted a kitten named Anna, to a group that donates over 2,000 blankets a month to comfort all sorts of pets, our growth has been nothing short of phenomenal. It's all due to the great volunteers we have and their great love for shelter pets. It's busy people like you, who still find the time to make a difference. Even after 18 years, I feel blessed to serve on a team with you!

Not surprisingly, we reached our 24,000 blanket goal for 2024 and then some! Here's what we accomplished together during the year. Rather than think about all the lovely blankets, I always try to picture all the adorable pets as I contemplate these numbers:

25,881 blankets donated in 2024!

463 different shelters supported!

Pets in all 50 states (plus DC) comforted!

"Thank you" doesn't begin to cover it. As the world gets busier and crazier each year, my gratitude just grows. I feel grateful for each notice I receive of blankets being donated, each shelter that reaches out wanting join our program and each person that takes the time to tell me how making blankets, and comforting homeless pets, is making their day a bit brighter. I hope to share more of those messages in 2025. Please join our Facebook group to stay up to date, stay in touch and read those uplifting messages!

May your year be blessed beyond measure!

Linda

"Your blankets just went home with the puppies as they were adopted. Their momma, Godiva, came to me from a puppy mill just days away from giving birth. I loved that the blankets they had been using while at my house for 10 to 12 weeks were able to go home with them with the scents of myself and their siblings. I'm certain it gave comfort in helping them transition into their new homes!"

~ Paw Patrol in Dayton, OH ~ 

Together we donated 2,030 blankets in October, 2,282 blankets in November and another 2,127 in December. The homeless pets at 153 shelters in 37 states were comforted by you. Here are the happy recipients of your creativity and caring.

From Starlight Strays in Pittsburgh, PA:

"We appreciate you adding us to your program. We received a shipment of blankets today and we are incredibly grateful! Thank you for helping the kitties be comfortable while they stay with us and during their transition to their forever homes. We'll be sure to send home the blanket with every kitty!"

From the Lynchburg Humane Society in Lynchburg, VA:

"We would like to extend our gratitude for your gift of 56 handmade blankets! Your support is appreciated and furthers our lifesaving mission. Supply donations like these, that go directly to our pets, help them in many ways! Thank you again for being part of the solution to help animals in need!"

From the Baltimore Humane Society in Reisterstown, MD:

"Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our animal shelter! Especially during these unprecedented times, your support means so much to us. Thank you again, we are truly grateful!"

From the Quailwings Rescue in Cut Bank, MT:

"Thank you so much for the wonderful blankets. They arrived during an extreme period at our shelter. Kane, a cat in our care, has 3 of the blankets to cushion his frost-burned body. Even with a heating pad under him, he shivered. Words cannot express what a donation like yours means to us! God Bless you."

From Operation Blankets of Love in Granada Hills, CA:

"We offer our heartfelt thanks for the generous donation of your beautiful handmade crochet pet blankets. On behalf of the homeless animals you comforted...thank you so much!"

From The Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha, NE:

"Thank you for the beautiful box of cozies for our kittens. We so appreciate you thinking of us. We will put them to good use immediately!"

From the Rhode Island SPCA in Warwick, RI:

"On behalf of all of us at the RIHS, I would like to thank you for your generous contribution of handmade blankets! Supporters like you help us impact the lives of hundreds of animals in need. We are able to continue our mission of caring for animals because of the support we receive from the community. So thank you for your continued support - the animals love your blankets!"

I hope these comments from your fellow volunteers help start your year on a positive note. They likely sound as familiar to you, as they do to me!

• "I would adopt every one of these beautiful babies if I could. Since I can't, just knowing I can help them in some small way helps me. The month of August has been a hard one. My husband passed away. Prior to him passing, I would sit in his hospital room and crochet. He was there for six weeks. I think it brought him comfort watching me and it certainly brought me comfort as well." ~ Deborah C. in Wilmington, DE

• "I just arrived at the shelter to drop off my blankets as a new family was getting ready to leave with their new addition. She was thrilled with the blanket for her fur baby and it made me love the reason I am doing this even more. Seeing the application does the heart good. Each stitch is from my heart." ~ Linda R. in Springfield, OH​

• "I started crocheting pet blankets as a way to give back to the beautiful Westie we rescued and lost within four short years. We recently lost our Yorkie, who was also a rescue. Crocheting this set of pet blankets has helped fill the void our sweet girl left in our hearts." ~ Geni O. in Channahon, IL

• "My son is on the board of the shelter I helped. He said they had 900 cats alone, and I just want to give them some comfort, and do my bit. Knitting and crochet really helps me relax." ~ Judith S. in Des Moines, IA

• "I think making these blankets is a great alternative if you are unable to foster or adopt. I am unable to do so right now, so I feel like I can still contribute and make a difference in the lives of these animals." ~ Jessica C. in Lucedale, MS

• "Making blankets helps me remember our first adopted cat who passed away two years ago. He came home from the shelter with a blanket and it made me want to learn how to knit so I could do it too. I figured out years later that his blanket was actually crocheted! It sits with his urn now on the mantle." ~ Elyse L. in Lowell, MA​

• "I made blankets for my cat until she passed away. My vet tech suggested I make them for donation to keep me busy and I have been at it every since. It's nice to know the cats like the blankets and they get some comfort when going to a new home." ~ Laura M. in Peachtree Corners, GA

• "We have had a number of cats that came from shelters. Our last two went across the rainbow bridge this last year. It's my way to continue to help those who have no family." ~ Debbie R. in Lakewood, CO

• "My heart goes out to all of the homeless pets. I am an animal lover and I wish I could rescue them all. I feel that I can make a small difference in their comfort at the shelter by using my free time to make cozy, colorful blankets to help those deserving pets find loving homes." ~ Lauren K. in Johnson City, TN

• "I have been blessed to be Cat Mom to so many shelter cats over the years. They have brought so much love and joy into our home. Making blankets for cats that are awaiting their forever home, is a small way to give back to these awesome animals." ~ Debbie M. in Richboro, PA 

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Despite the massive frustration it sometimes causes to us humans, shedding is a perfectly natural, normal process for both cats and dogs. It’s typically most pronounced in the spring, and the amount shed is strongly tied to the pets age, breed and overall health.

We may think of shedding only in dogs, but cats do shed (called moulting) as well. Some cats even have an undercoat to provide extra insulation. It’s this coat that sheds noticeably in the spring and fall. Their top coat has a much longer life, and sheds very slowly, but all year round. Many dogs also have a double coat (like Huskies or German Shepherds) that shed in abundance twice a year. Their top coat sheds periodically throughout the year, similar to cats.

Despite the mess, shedding is an essential part of keeping the pet’s fur and skin healthy. With this in mind, it’s sometimes tricky to know what amount of shedding is normal, and when to visit your veterinarian. Shedding does fluctuate with the seasons, so it’s good to watch what’s normal for your pet over the first year. However, it can also go up or down during a traumatic event, or if allergies develop. It can also increase dramatically because of poor nutrition or a new medical condition. If you see a sudden increase, or wonder in any way, it’s always best to reach out to your veterinarian. Sometimes shedding can decrease, but if it’s only due to a lack of self-grooming, this can be an indicator that something is going on medically, which should be investigated.

Once you know that the shedding you are dealing with is normal for your pet, you may wonder if there is there anything that can be done to help. That is, besides vacuuming the house from top to bottom daily. Yes, there are a few ways to help your pets get rid of the excess hair, and therefore leave less of it all over your house.

Many shampoos on the market are designed to soothe skin and help reduce shedding. The simple act of bathing your pet will help since it’ll remove excess hair that’s ready to shed, but hasn’t fallen out yet. Regular grooming is probably the best way to keep the shedding under control. It’s also another way to bond with your pet, while being able to check them out for any wounds, parasites, or other skin problems.

Once you’re ready to groom, be sure to select the right tools for your pet. Different types of fur require different combs and brushes. Since diet plays a role, you can also consider switching to a higher-quality food, that may decrease the amount of shedding. Questions on the right tool and right food are surely worth a quick call to your veterinarian. Also, it’s best to start grooming them when they are a kitten or puppy, so that they are used to the attention. This is especially true for kitties! It’s also wise to keep the sessions short for any pet, and to stop the minute they seem uncomfortable.

With allergies and shedding in mind, many people are seeking out “hypoallergenic” dogs and paying breeders a high price for certain breeds. Despite the hype, there’s really no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. These dogs cause fewer issues because their hair is more similar to human hair and so it doesn’t shed much. They also produce less dander than other dogs, which can trigger allergies in some people. Dogs like the Bichon Frise, Maltese, Schnauzer, Poodle and Portuguese Water Dog will still shed, but not as much as some other breeds (like the ones that live with me!).

In the end, shedding is just part of choosing to share your life with a “critter.”  They may leave fur on your furniture and track mud across your floor, but they will also steal your heart!

Being involved in the world of volunteer work and shelter pets, I run across numerous ways caring people can help homeless pets, animal shelters and their community. Most of these volunteer options are fun to do, require less time than you’d expect and offer rewards aplenty. A new way to help pets has recently appeared on my radar, and it’s one of those things that just stops me in my tracks. Let me just say, I’d love to meet the person who is a “Fospice” volunteer. I’d give them a hug and a big stack of blankets!

“Fospice” comes from combining the concepts of “foster” and “hospice”, and is a very special foster program offer by some, but only some, shelters. This program gives elderly, special-needs and dying cats and dogs a permanent foster home to spend their final days, weeks or months.  As a foster home, the shelter pays for all of the pet’s care, always including veterinary and palliative care, and sometimes even covering the day to day needs of the pet (food, litter, treats, etc.). The shelter is also there to support the entire family 24-hours a day in their role as a foster-family.

The need for this program was apparent to shelters who took in animals which were not medically healthy enough for adoption, or those which had very limited time left. These pets were comfortable, but often not adoptable. The decision would be made to not use drastic action to prolong their lives, but instead focus on making their end-of-life as comfortable as possible. Shelters which provide this service feel these pets have a right to live out their final days surrounded by a true family.

The caring people who accept this calling are, as one volunteer put it, “midwives, but at the other end of life.” They need to be able to monitor the pet daily, administer fluids or medications, and go overboard (as often as possible) on the TLC.  The family typically should be only a short distance from the shelter (a 30 minute drive, for instance), in case a visit is necessary. They also need to be open to working with the shelter to honestly assess the pet’s quality of life, when the end draws near.

If this opportunity tugs at your heart, maybe it’s worth exploring with your local shelter. It provides one avenue for us pet lovers to provide compassionate care to those pets who need it the most. Budgets don’t always allow us to “rescue them all”, but in this case the shelter partners with you, making it a bit more workable. I imagine this role isn’t for everyone, but for those who can volunteer in this way, your family could be the greatest gift you could give a homeless pet, as their journey on earth comes to an end.

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       3s139 Sequoia Drive         Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Linda Kastiel Kozlowski Founder & Owner

Info@ComfortForCritters.org

~ Our Mission ~

To comfort all the animal shelter pets we can't adopt (but wish we could), and to be a blessing in the lives of every volunteer, supporter & shelter worker.

206,984 blankets donated so far!

Support our mission with the purchase of our pattern books: Crochet for Critters & Crochet for Your Comfort. Each book has 30 crochet patterns that are perfect for pet blankets. They also tell the story of CFC and why crafting helps the crafter along with the pet! Every purchase keeps us going and keeps us shipping our free blankets!

E-books here!

Paperback "Crochet for Critters" on Amazon!

Paperback "Crochet for Your Comfort" on Amazon!

I’ve tried a lot of “puff” stitches over my many years crocheting, and I love how thick they make a pet blanket. I thought this stitch would be similar, but it’s not. I really like it though and it may even be my favorite! The stitch is large but it lies perfectly flat. I personally found it a lot easier to manage on the hook, than a typical puff stitch. I hope you'll enjoy it as well!

Click HERE to download

the free pattern!

This quarter we've had so many new volunteers reach out to us about the shelters near them that are fantastic. I'm thrilled to announce these have joined our program and are ready to receive your blankets. If you live in, work in or travel to their cities, please feel free to drop off your blankets. Just don't forget to let me know when you do. Thank you!

* Alive Rescue in Salem, WI *

* Animal Rescue Project in Kalamazoo, MI *

* Flopsy's Friends in Kernersville, NC *

* JJ's Helping Paws in Canon City, CO *

* Placing Paws of Illinois in Antioch, IL *

* The Road Home Animal Project in St. Clairsville, OH *

* Ruth Steinert SPCA in Pine Grove, PA *

* Safe Haven for Animals in Scottsdale, AZ *

If you'd like to keep up-to-date on our mission, follow us on Facebook and join our Facebook Group, "The Comfort for Critters Team".  We share what we're working on, pet & craft humor, and tip & tricks for making beautiful blankets. It's a private group that stays 100% positive, 100% of the time! Please join us!

• Updates on our mission
• Craft ideas & patterns
• Pet information
• Animal shelter updates
• Easy ways to help pets
• Lots of "thank you's"!

Once you make blankets:

• Local volunteers are welcome to drop off their blankets to a shelter near them or to CFC's headquarters in Glen Ellyn, IL. Please leave your name and email on whatever you drop off, so that I can send a thank you note.
• If you're outside of our area, please check our "Animal Shelters We Support" page to find a shelter in your state. Then ship your blankets directly to the shelter or drop them off. Please let me know how many you donate, via email or by using our website form.
• Patience is a plus! CFC is a small organization, with just one staff member! I do reply to every email, but it may take me a few days. Thank you!

Have questions? Check out our FAQ page!

I’ve always heard that dogs are colorblind, but always questioned its accuracy. After all, the many toys I buy for my dogs are super-colorful. Their favorite one is called “Pinky”, after its bright pink color. Are all these brightly colored toys just designed to humor me?

Apparently, the answer is yes! Dogs have a type of color-blindness, although they do see some colors. They are also far less sensitive to the wide range of brightness levels that humans can see. This means that any color they do see does not have the same rich tone, visible to us.

Humans have three different types of cones in our eyes, each tuned into a different color wavelength, which allows us to differentiate between about a million different colors. Dogs have only two types of cones, allowing them to see around 10,000 different shades of a limited number of colors.

A dog’s vision is very similar to humans that have “red-green colorblindness”. This means they will confuse shades of red and green, along with any color that has a component of red or green (like purple and blue). Here’s what you see, versus what your dog sees. 

Humans See:   Dogs See:

Yellow                Yellow

Orange           Yellowish brown

Red              Dark muddy brown

Purple                  Blue 

Blue                     Gray

Green            Yellowish brown

While we greatly appreciate the generous donations of yarn we often receive, right now we are fully and completely stocked up! For the months of January and February we won't be accepting donations, so that we can clean out and organize what we do have and clear out a bit more space to work. Thanks for understanding!

"Thank you once again for the donation of beautiful handmade blankets! Goose (see pictures), a stray kitten who was found on the side of the road, loved exploring the blankets. Our staff was impressed with the kindness that is shown to the shelter animals. Thank you!"

~ Orange County Animal Services in Orlando, FL ~

We are now donating 2,000 blankets regularly every month, which is awesome! It's also A LOT of blankets to filter in and out of my house every month. 

With this in mind, we're asking all out-of-state volunteers to please donate your blankets directly to a shelter right in your own state!

I can help you find a shelter near you, and will do all the work getting them signed up. If you choose a shelter from our website list, I can promise you that in-state shipping will be less costly than sending them to me. I do ask though that you let me know, so that I can update my records!

Benefits of donating your blankets locally:

• Cheaper than shipping them to Illinois (if you're out of state)!
• You can email them for a tax receipt and possibly write off the donation (please check with your tax professional).​​
• You'll also get to hear just how much the shelter staff appreciates the blankets Thank you!!!