Frequently Asked Questions
What types of materials are best to make the toys?
You can use whatever material you’d like to repurpose! For example, you can use T-shirts, socks, jeans, jackets, blankets or throws, plastic water bottles, etc.
What types of fabrics are best to make the toys?
Any durable fabric works great! For example, you could use cotton, jersey, polyester, denim, and linen.
What types of fabrics should I avoid when making the toys?
We recommend avoiding any delicate fabrics like lace, silk, wool, etc. that might not last after a good play session.
Can I donate the toys I made to my local shelter?
Yes, of course! If you do, please fill out our Volunteer Survey, so we can keep track of how many animals were helped! We would really appreciate it!
How do I know which animal shelters accept handmade toys?
The best way to know which shelters accept the toys is to check their website or directly ask them. You can also fill out our Volunteer Survey, and we will direct them to shelters in need.
If I wanted someone on your team to lead a toy making service event, what should I do?
Feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] or use our service project presentation on our Volunteer Page.
Should the fabrics be washed first?
We recommend washing fabrics or any other materials you are using before making your toys to be donated.
Do I need any sewing materials for your toys?
Nope! All our toys do not need to be sewn. If you’d like to sew the Plushie Toy, that’s fine, too!
Is there a way to make the Braid Toy to accommodate different sizes of pets?
Yes! You can cut the strips of fabric into different lengths. Just make sure you remember to leave space to tie both ends of the strips of fabrics.
Is there a way to make the Braid Toy “stronger” for a bigger dog?
If you want to make it stronger, you can combine any number of braids together to create a braid with multiple “heads”. Or if you have an extremely long braid, you can tie knots along multiple locations of the braid, so it may be more durable.
What shapes can I make with the Plushie Toy?
Any shape is fine, but the most common shapes are circle, square, rectangle, and a heart.
Is there a size limit on how big or small I should make the Plushie Toy?
The Plushie Toy should be at least 12 inches in diameter because you also want to account for the strip pieces around the edge of the shape to tie your knots.
If I need to get my service hours validated, what should I do?
Send us an email of how many toys you made and where they were donated to, and we’ll fill out your service hour form(s). We can also validate them for you if you fill out the Volunteer Survey.
How else can I support Project Canis?
We would love it if you donated to our Paypal or purchased something from our merch store! You can also consider becoming a sponsor or joining our membership program to become a Pawsome Donor!