Comfort for Critters

     Summer 2026

   ~ Critter News ~

Welcome Summer!

Thank you all for another amazing quarter of helping homeless pets! Together we provided comfort to over 4,700 shelter pets in 137 different shelters. Like I said, amazing! The timing on all these creations is just perfect, since Kitten Season is in full swing. If you've dropped off blankets to a shelter, you probably noticed that they are super-busy and crowded with kittens. I was actually able to deliver some blankets to shelters this quarter (I usually just ship everything) and it was adorable, and tempting, to see all the cute faces. Be warned that if you do drop off blankets, you may come home with a new family member! :)

I'd also like thank everyone who has subscribed to the free CFC Substack I started this year. Its purpose is to share some of the amazing things I see, and stories I hear, as I work on CFC each day. I just posted an article about a pup named Romeo at a local dog rescue and the difference the blanket made. If you're creating blankets, it's a story you'll appreciate!

As we start this summer, I've noticed we have many, many new volunteers. So I thought I'd remind everyone of some of the tools we have for those new to making blankets for us. You can download our free Volunteer Packet here and review our frequently asked questions by following this link. If you'd like some free patterns, check out this page and to see if there's a shelter near you, please check here. And finally, to keep in touch with us and all the other volunteers on an ongoing basis, please consider joining our Facebook group, "The Comfort for Critters Team". We share humor, what we're working on for pets, and even peaks at our own kitties and pups from time to time. We'd love to see you there!

  Wishing you a fun & relaxing summer,  

Linda

Together we donated 1,705 blankets in April, 1,681 blankets in May and another 1,401 blankets in June. The homeless pets at 137 shelters in 39 states were comforted by you this past quarter! Here are the happy recipients of your creativity and caring...

From Safe Haven Sanctuary in Parker, KS:  "Thank you so much for the beautiful beds for our fur babies. You've blessed us and them for many years. God bless you all for what you do!"

From the Baltimore Humane Society in Reistertown, MD:  "Thank you so much for your generous contribution to our animal shelter. Your support is crucial to our success and you directly contribute to our efforts. Your support means the world to us!"

From the Safe Haven for Animals in Scottsdale, AZ:  "Thanks so much! One of your volunteers just stopped by to give us wonderful and pretty blankets for us to use and for our kitties to take home when they get adopted. Thanks so much for all you do!"

From the Tails Humane Society in DeKalb, IL:  "Your generous donation is so appreciated! It will make a significant impact for all the animals in our care. Thank you for your support and belief in our mission."

From Texas CARES Cat Rescue in Dallas, TX:  "We received a large box of BEAUTIFUL blankets! It's always such a wonderful surprise and our foster parents and foster kitties appreciate them so much! Many thanks!"

From the Wadena County Humane Society in Wadena, MN: "Thanks so much to you for the beautiful blanket donated to us. We love them and we appreciate them!"

For me, one of the greatest joys of the summer is the return of the butterflies. With their delicate wings and dazzling colors, they drift through our gardens like tiny, living, works of art. The good news is that attracting butterflies to your yard isn’t difficult, and helping these important pollinators can make your outdoor spaces healthier and more vibrant as well. But before we talk gardening, let’s get to know butterflies a little better.

Tiny Creatures with a Big Job

According to the North American Butterfly Association, there are roughly 20,000 species of butterflies worldwide, with about 725 species found in North America. They range in size from tiny butterflies barely 1/8 inch across, to tropical species with wingspans approaching 12 inches. Wow, I’d love to see those in my yard!

Butterflies are not only beautiful, they are also important pollinators. While bees usually get most of the attention, butterflies help pollinate many flowers and flowering plants as they feed on nectar. Unfortunately, habitat loss, pesticides, and climate changes have caused many butterfly populations to decline in recent decades, making butterfly-friendly gardens more important than ever.

One common mistake people make is confusing butterflies with moths. In general, butterflies are brightly colored and active during the day, but moths are usually more muted in color and active at night. However, there are exceptions! Some moths are brilliantly colored, and some butterflies are fairly plain. The easiest way to tell them apart is by looking at their antennae. Butterfly antennae have small club-shaped tips, while those on the moth are usually straight or feathery.

The Secret to Attracting Butterflies

One of the biggest secrets to attracting butterflies is understanding that butterflies need two different types of plants. Nectar plants are necessary for adult butterflies to drink from, and host plants are needed by butterflies to lay eggs and caterpillars to feed. Many gardeners focus only on flowers, but without host plants, butterflies cannot complete their life cycle. It’s also important to avoid pesticides whenever possible. Even products labeled “safe” can harm caterpillars and pollinators.

To keep things simple, these plants are valuable for butterflies, both as nectar sources and host plants. I personally have quite a bit of Milkweed, which the butterflies really enjoy. 

• Milkweed — absolutely essential for monarch butterflies
• Parsley — host plant for black swallowtail caterpillars
• Fennel — another favorite of black swallowtails
• Dill — excellent swallowtail host plant
• Queen Anne’s Lace — supports swallowtail caterpillars
• Alfalfa — food source for several sulfur and blue butterflies
• Hackberry trees — host plant for hackberry emperor butterflies
• Oak trees — support hundreds of butterfly and moth species
• Poplar trees — used by tiger swallowtails and others
• Black walnut trees — used by some butterfly and moth caterpillars

If you'd like to add common flowers, to provide the sugary nectar adult butterflies need, try Coneflowers, Black-eyed Susans, Goldenrod, Marigolds, Daisies, Zinnia, Phlox, Bee Balm and all sorts of Sunflowers!

Trees and Shrubs Matter More Than Most People Realize

Many people think butterfly gardens need to be all flowers, but trees and shrubs are incredibly important. In fact, scientists have found that native trees like oaks support more caterpillar species than almost any other type of plant. Flowering shrubs and trees also provide shelter from wind, hiding places from predators, and safe resting areas. Great choices include Dogwoods, Blueberry bushes, Willow, Serviceberry and Cherry trees.

Vegetable Gardens Can Help Too

Believe it or not, your vegetable garden can double as a butterfly haven. These popular plants are especially attractive to butterflies and caterpillars: Celery, Fennel, Dill, Carrots, Parsley, Peppermint, Radishes, Broccoli, Cabbage and Okra. You can also place sliced oranges, watermelon rinds, or overripe bananas around the garden to attract butterflies. Keep in mind that butterflies enjoy soft, sugary fruits. Cutting the fruit slightly helps release juices and makes feeding easier.

Add Water to Provide a Butterfly “Puddling” Spots

One fascinating butterfly behavior is called puddling. Butterflies often gather around shallow mud puddles, damp soil, or wet sand to drink minerals and salts they can’t get from nectar alone. You can easily help them by creating a simple puddling station by filling a shallow dish with sand, or small rocks, and add a bit of water to moisten it. Place it in a sunny spot and you may be surprised how quickly butterflies discover it!

Butterfly Brew Really Works!

One final trick to attract butterflies is something affectionately called Butterfly Brew. You can purchase butterfly nectar products, but many gardeners make their own mixtures using overripe fruit, sugar, and even a splash of beer or fruit juice (there are many recipes online). Butterflies are surprisingly attracted to fermented sweetness. Once you whip up a batch, just leave some in a shallow dish or paint it lightly onto fence posts or rocks. You can even soak a clean sponge in some of the brew and hang it from a low branch. Butterflies often prefer feeding from sponges because they provide a safe landing spot.

A Garden Full of Life

One of the loveliest things about gardening for butterflies is that you’re not only creating beauty — you’re creating habitat and helping living creatures survive. When a monarch drifts past your flowers, or a swallowtail dances across your yard on a warm summer afternoon, it feels less like gardening and more like sharing your space with something extraordinary. So plant a few flowers, skip the pesticides, leave out some fruit or Butterfly Brew, and enjoy the show. Your yard may soon become one of the neighborhood’s favorite butterfly destinations.

There are days when the world can feel unbearably heavy. You turn on the television, scroll through social media, or glance at the headlines, and it can seem as though every story is filled with anger, fear, cruelty, or division. The constant flood of bad news has a way of wearing me down, and I don’t think I’m alone. Over time, it can leave us wondering if kindness still matters… or if there is any way for ordinary people to push back against all the ugliness.

That is one of the reasons Comfort for Critters means so much to me. I see every blanket we send out into the world as a quiet (and beautiful!) act of defiance against hopelessness. This same idea rang true, in a thank you note I received from one of the shelters we support, Harley’s House of Dreams. It read, “thank you so much. The little dogs we rescue often come from sad and neglectful situations. When they arrive, scared and unsure of the world, something as simple as a soft blanket can mean everything. We are so incredibly grateful to the wonderful people at Comfort for Critters who generously create these beautiful blankets. The kindness brings comfort to our dogs who have been through so much. It tells them that love still exists!”

That final sentence meant the world to me, and I hope it warms your heart as well. “It tells them that love still exists.” What a powerful thing for a blanket to say. When a shelter opens one of our boxes, they are not simply unpacking yarn and fabric. They are unpacking proof that strangers still care and are willing to spend hours crafting for an animal they will never meet. In a world that can sometimes feel cold and disconnected, those boxes remind shelter workers that compassion, goodness and yes, love still exists.

This is also felt by the families, adopting their newest cuddle-buddy. They remind these families that their pet mattered to someone long before adoption day. That someone carefully chose colors and stitches, in hopes of comforting a frightened dog or cat somewhere far away.

I like to think though that the most important message is the one sent to the pets themselves. Many of these precious pets have known neglect, abandonment, fear, or worse. I’m sure some arrive uncertain whether the world is safe at all. Then suddenly, they are wrapped in softness, given warmth and treated gently. Though they do not understand where the blanket came from, I truly believe they can feel what it represents: safety, comfort, care, love. I like to think that the blanket quietly tells them, “What happened before is not the whole story. There is kindness here now, and there is hope ahead because love still exists.”

In a simple way, one of the best techniques to push back against the ugliness in the world is to create things of beauty and simply give them away. Not for recognition, or profit, or because someone demanded it. Every stitch made for Comfort for Critters is a small refusal to give in to cynicism. Every finished blanket, and every donated box, reminds the world that goodness is still alive in ordinary people. Perhaps that is why these thank you notes mean so much to all of us. They remind us that what we do matters more than we realize.

To every single volunteer who has ever made a blanket for Comfort for Critters, I say thank you. You are doing far more than you may realize. You are reminding shelter workers, families, and frightened animals that love still exists. If you have been thinking about making a blanket but have not yet started, I hope you will join us soon. The world is waiting, and growing impatient. You will not change the whole world overnight, but sometimes a small corner of it is enough.

(If you'd like to receive similar, uplifting stories, subscribe for free to my Substack here. Thank you!)

There’s something special about spending time with a cat. Whether they’re racing through the house like a tiny tornado or quietly curled beside you on the couch, cats bring comfort, humor, and companionship into our lives in so many ways.

Kittens naturally demand attention and playtime, but older cats can sometimes get overlooked. The truth is, cats of every age need enrichment, stimulation, and interaction. In fact, animal behavior experts note that regular play helps reduce stress, anxiety, boredom, and even behavior problems in cats. Play can also help indoor cats maintain a healthier weight, and play can strengthen the bond between cats and the people who love them. Best of all, you don’t need expensive gadgets or elaborate setups to make your kitty happy. Often, the simplest games become the favorites. Here are some fun and compassionate ways to keep your cat entertained, active, and mentally engaged:

Elastic can be your best friend! Tie one of your cat’s favorite lightweight toys to the end of a short piece of stretchy elastic and secure the other end to a doorknob. Make sure the elastic is short enough that the toy dangles without dragging on the floor. And most importantly, only use this toy while supervising your kitty — you don’t want them getting tangled up. The bouncing, unpredictable motion can be irresistible to playful cats!

Bells make everything more exciting! Tuck a small jingly bell inside a larger ball or lightweight round toy. The sound alone can attract curious cats from across the house as you roll it across the floor or bounce it gently down the stairs.

Rotate the toys! Instead of leaving every toy out all the time, put most of them away and rotate a few into circulation every week or so. Cats are naturally curious, and “rediscovering” a toy can feel just as exciting as getting something brand new. Try placing toys in unexpected spots where your cat likes to lounge or explore.

Simple household objects can be surprisingly entertaining! Some of the best cat toys aren’t toys at all! A rolled-up ball of foil can keep many kitties entertained for ages. Grocery day can become playtime too! Toss a few paper bags or supervised plastic grocery bags on the floor for investigating, hiding, and pouncing. As we all know, almost any empty box becomes an instant cat paradise. Leave an opening on the side for easy access and let your cat turn it into a hideout, fort, or ambush station.

Create a “hunt” around the house! Cats are natural hunters. Hide a few treats or bits of kibble around the room and let your kitty sniff and search for them. This taps into instincts they were born to use.

Try wand toys for interactive play! Feather wands or dangling ribbon toys allow cats to stalk, chase, leap, and pounce safely. Moving the toy like real prey (quick movements followed by pauses) makes the game even more exciting.

Make window watching part of the fun! Many cats love observing birds, squirrels, and the outside world. A cat tree, perch, or cozy blanket near a window can provide hours of entertainment and mental stimulation.

Add vertical space! Cats feel safer and more confident when they can climb. Cat trees, shelves, or even cleared-off furniture spaces can create an enriching “cat highway” through your home.

Use food puzzles or treat balls! Puzzle feeders are not just for dogs. They can encourage cats to think and work for their food, helping relieve boredom while slowing down fast eaters.

Don’t forget older cats! Senior kitties may not race around like kittens, but they still enjoy gentle interaction and stimulation. Short play sessions, soft toys, brushing, and cuddle time can all help older cats stay mentally engaged and emotionally connected.

Catnip can add excitement! For cats who respond to it, sprinkling a little catnip on a toy or scratching post can instantly renew interest and encourage activity.

Turn playtime into bonding time! Cats may have a reputation for independence, but they also deeply enjoy shared routines with their people. Even just 10–15 minutes of focused play each day can make a huge difference in a cat’s happiness and confidence.

Once your kitty is tired out, they may just stretch out for a long nap. That's one of the most beautiful things about cats - they can go from fierce little hunters to peaceful cuddle-bugs in a matter of minutes! Making time to play, laugh, and connect with your kitty every day will instantly make your day better too - but of course, I'm biased!

We are now donating 1,000+ 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 volunteers to please donate your blankets directly to a shelter right in your own area. If you don't see one near you on our list, I can help find one for 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!!!

238,859 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! 

E-books here!

Paperback "Crochet for Critters" on Amazon!

Paperback "Crochet for Your Comfort" on Amazon!

Or check out a fun T-Shirt!

If you'd like to keep up-to-date on our mission, follow us on Facebook (or Instagram) and join our Facebook Group, "The Comfort for Critters Team".  

We share what we're working on, pet & craft humor, and tips & tricks for making beautiful blankets. It's a private group that stays 100% positive, 100% of the time! Please join us!

"Thank you so much for the blankets! From the adopter of Rizzo and Leo, they want to send a message to your volunteers:  Please let the kind people who made and donated these blankets know that Rizzo and Leo love napping on them! Thank you!"

Feral Fixers in Lombard, IL

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

Creating a nestled granny stitch is one of my favorites, since it creates a blanket without the usual holes of a Granny Square. It was also a fun pattern to work up since I tried to figure a way to do the constant color changes, without cutting and tying! I hope you'll give it a try!

Click here for the free pattern!

Once you make blankets:

• Local volunteers are encouraged to drop off their blankets to a shelter near them since we support over 40 shelters in the Chicagoland area (see our list of shelters here)! We also encourage you to stop by our homebase in Glen Ellyn, IL to pick up a bag or two of free yarn, for your next batch of blankets!

• 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!

When volunteers share with me why they make blankets, there are always recurring themes. Wanting to "comfort them all", helping all the pets they can't adopt, honoring a lost pet, and more. What they all share is a desire to think outside of themself and help others. Whether it's supporting a shelter, comforting a pet they will never meet, or using downtime to make a difference, it's one of the best things about being on the CFC team. Thank you to every supporter and volunteer for caring so much! 

• "I'm so blessed to be able to contribute even in this small way. Thank you so much for organizing this program so those of us who love to crochet/knit can help others." ~ Tamera S. in Kansas City, MO

• "I am a huge animal lover and I love to crochet, so I absolutely love making these blankets for shelter pets! I wish I could give them all a forever home but since I can't, this is one way I can contribute to helping them. Thank you so much for starting CFC! I just started and know this will be something I enjoy doing for years. My four dogs have signed off on each blanket so far! And my 15 month old daughter has given these the snuggle approval :)" ~ Heather D. in Lincoln, NE​

• "My 9-year-old and his friends spent a meaningful day creating fleece blankets for shelter pets. While many volunteer opportunities have age restrictions, this kid-friendly project proved to be the perfect way to introduce young children to the joy of giving back. They had a blast while making a real difference for animals in need!" ~ Stephanie K in Oak Park, IL

• "I'm motivated to make blankets since we all need to be kind in this ever changing world we live in!" ~ Nancy O. in Bloomingdale, IL

• "I make blankets because all the homeless pets need comfort. Making blankets brings me joy, knowing that every one will comfort an animal in need." ~ Maria T. in Northwood, NH

• "My motivation? It's a crazy world out there. Helping the innocent critters keeps me sane. Thanks for the opportunity!" ~ Shari in Bloomingdale, IL

• "We love our pets, 1 cat and 2 dogs, so that's why I make blankets. Crocheting helps me cope and helping others makes me feel good." ~ Kim N. in Bruton, MI

I'm happy to say, we're still adding great shelters to our program! If you haven't checked our list lately, you can find them all here.

Please always let me know when you're donating blankets, so that I can update my tracking. This tracking let's me know where to ship the blankets I receive at our home base, which go all across the US. The tracking also tells me how to guide other volunteers who ask about where to send their creations. Thank you!

Cat Lady Lounge &

Beagle Freedom Project

Nowata, OK

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Cat's Cradle

Harrisonburg, VA

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Coastal Purrs Cat Rescue

Virginia Beach, VA

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Divine Nature Animal Rescue

Gulfport, MS

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Providence Animal Shelter

Media, PA

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Whisker Mission 

Wheaton, IL

Have questions? Check out our FAQ page!

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.