Friday, December 12, 2014

Blogging Cats Spread The Joy Of Giving!

One of my favorite things about the month of December is the spirit of giving that casts a buoyant glow in the hearts of many.  In the Cat Blogosphere,  giving takes place ALL year, but in the month of December, blogging cats are known to work even harder to ensure that homeless cats, (and often other animals), have the help, hope, supplies and toys that they need to make their holiday season brighter.

This year is no exception.  In the month of December you will be reading on many of our blogs, about some causes that are near and dear to the cat blogging community.

The first of two causes that I would like to share is the:

that was created by Summer and her human Janis, from the Sparkle Cat blog.

The Santa Kitty Toy Hop was created with love by Janis, (as a result of brainstorming with other blogging kitties on Facebook), when it was thought that the yearly Santa Paws Drive would not be taking place (it now IS, and you will read more about that further into this blog post). 

What I LOVE about the Santa Kitty Toy Hop is that it focuses on Blogging Cats giving to other cats (and even dogs!), in their OWN COMMUNITY!

From Summer's blog:To participate in the Santa Kitty Toy Hop, all you have to do is play Santa Kitty to a rescue in your area. Bring the kitties cat toys, treats, or other gifts to brighten their holidays. Take photos of your visit, and then write a blog post about the rescue and what you did. There will be a blog hop that I will host starting on December 12 and going through December 19. It will be a linky you will be able to share on your own blog if you so desire. We cat bloggers are everywhere, so we are hoping to bring the spirit of Santa Kitty to cats worldwide!

Cody and I were super excited to participate! We performed our Santa Kitty duties a few weeks ago at the Novi Pet Expo that was held on November 21st. 

If you are a regular reader of our blog, you know that we often feature rescue/adoption events held by The Michigan Humane Society. As it turns out, Michigan Humane was one of the sponsors of the Expo and they had stated that they were accepting donations there! They were hoping for gently used toys, supplies, monetary donations, anything!  I suggested to Cody that we gather some of his unused and GENTLY used toys together and donate them to kitties who are less fortunate! We also included some misc. supplies such as paper towels, etc.

   

 Cody had his doubts that giving his toys to less fortunate kitties was a good thing, he had some trouble letting go.

 It was important to him that Dakota also get in on the giving!
Our sensitive Sheltie
Shares his Goodies


Dakota's toy donation!
Cody just had to be sure that
some of Dakota's toys were being given as well!
When we completed filling the bags
we ended up with FOUR bags full
of toys and misc. items for Michigan Humane
Our furiends at Michigan Humane
were so happy with our items
that they allowed me to take their photo
(of course, I don't have their names!)
Cody, Dakota and I were proud to take part in the Santa Kitty Toy Hop and hope that this is the first year of a new tradition that will benefit the kitties that are located in our local communities for many years to come!

As we mentioned above the:


is alive and kicking again this year after it was initially thought that it wouldn't be! Cody and I have contributed the past couple of years, (and this year as well!), and we were thrilled to hear the news!

About the Santa Paws Drive:
Santa Paws Drive is the dream of Dorian Wagner, founder of  YourDailyCute.com and the Cute Transport Network. She had the idea for the program, but no idea how to actually pull it off. She reached out from her home in Deerfield Beach, FL to several friends around the world with difference expertise to make it a reality. (See the Elves page for a little bit about each of them!) 
In the past five years, Santa Paws Drive has raised more than $55,000 in toys, treats and donations for 30 shelters worldwide. It's been a huge success, and we were able to mail off huge gift packages and a check to each! 

This holiday season, we want to make an even bigger difference and do things a little bit differently. Our amazing 2014 organizations work together to do something very special – they rescue homeless animals from high-kill shelters, and then transport them safely to partner no-kill rescues up North, who have the space and can find them homes quickly. 

In the past two years alone, the groups Santa Paws Drive 2014 is benefiting – along with their wonderful network of more than 800 volunteer drivers and fosters! -- have worked together to save more than 350 cats and several dogs from kill shelters! 

The ultimate goal is of Santa Paws Drive this year is not only to provide toys and cheer to shelter animals – but to make it possible to give them the ultimate joy… a forever home. 
Photo Courtesy of http://blog.santapawsdrive.com/


And so the donations we are collecting are everything needed to save more animals and make these transports possible. You can donate to save one shelter cat or even a whole family! Or you can donate a carrier for them to ride in, toys and supplies for the ride, or sponsor a spay/neuter surgery. The more we raise, the more lives we can save!
 


You can also donate directly on the widget on our sidebar!





41 comments:

  1. I love to see programs like these, shelters can use all the help we can give. Donations, supplies, food, treats and toys are all appreciated. The gift of time is always needed too. Playing with the cats or taking a dog for a walk can make a difference in a shelter pet's life.

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  2. I am so happy that the Santa Paws Drive is happening this year after all, and with an even better twist this year! It makes the Santa Kitty Toy Hop all the more joyful! How cool that you got so many bags of toys together - my human spent several weeks picking up toys from cat shows and stores because many of our "gently used" toys were given to The Cat House on the Kings over the summer!

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  3. Oh yeah, and make sure you add your link to the hop - it goes live in a little over an hour from when I'm posting this comment.

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  4. That is a great idea Caren,xx Rachel and Speedy

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  5. This is such a wonderful idea! And don't worry Cody your mum will get you more toys again! Oliver and Nubia are also not happy when I give their toys to the shelter here but just think of all the poor kitties in need that will worship you for giving them something to play with! :)

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  6. Bravo and well done to you. Nice to remember those less fortunate this time of year. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  7. This is a wonderful idea and we are going to try and participate!

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  8. We love the idea of the Toy Hop and we participated...though we decided to put our own twist on it and donate some much needed food to a rescue that really needs the support. We'll be posting about it next week. We're glad the Santa Paws Drive is continuing this year...and we love the new focus it has!

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  9. How sweet of Cody and Dakota to donate some of their toys. I love the photo of COdy making sure some of Dakota's toys went too. I knew about Summer's program, but not the other so thanks for letting everybody know. I will try to participate in both.

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  10. You guys were wonderful to donate your toys and help out.

    We missed out on Summer's program this year, but we so glad to see Santa Paws back; we donated to them!

    Purrs and peace.

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    1. Thank you! You didn't miss out! There is still time! Her blog hop runs through the 19th!

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    2. Forgot to say that is totally PAWESOME that you donated to Santa Paws!!

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  11. we love your gift to MHS! We bet those toys were well received!

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  12. It is a great idea to give to our local shelters. Me and mum have put together some boxes of food and I have been sorting out some of my lightly used toys to go in the package too. They will go to a small local rescue in Plymouth.

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  13. Oh wow! Look at all those toys!!! I bet you made some really happy pets this year!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  14. WOW you two sure were generous to donate so many toys! I hope this becomes an annual tradition too :)

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    1. we should have donated even more! We make sure to donate toys a minimum of once a year, both Cody and Dakota have too much!

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  15. Both projects are absolutely wonderful!! It is so nice of you to donate to them both. We know that the kitties and woofies will really enjoy all the toys you donated to them. :)

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  16. That was so nice of you both! We don't have many toys around here, just the newer ones Bailie plays with, so nothing to giveaway.

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  17. Awww, sweet Cody... we know it's hard to give up your toys. But it's for a super good cause... and Santa sure will get you new toys... and if he doesn't then your mommy will... ;) xx Roxy & Tigerlino <3

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  18. Sounds like a great idea.
    I think that nobody does it in France.
    Here shelters are mostly looking for food.
    Douce soirée
    Nat à Chat

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  19. What great donations! I was sad to give up my toys too but I hope the 2nd owners love them. Last night we saved a kitty in the Santa Paws Drive. It felt great!

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  20. These are two such great events. It is so great that all the bloggers come together to do all this for the homeless kitties. That looks like a great bunch that you took. You all have a great day.

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  21. Such a great idea and cause. We can hardly wait to read everyone's donations and adventures!

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  22. Yay! Thanks so much for sharing about Santa Paws Drive -- and the Santa Kitty Toy Hop! It's going to be a great holiday season for kitties... I just know it! :)

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    1. It is our pleasure!! Thank YOU for all that YOU do for the kitties, not just during the holidays, but ALL YEAR!!! xoxo

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  23. Yay ! So many bags of toys, wow ! You'll have plenty of room now ! We're glad to be part of Santa KittyToy Hop too ! Purrs

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  24. It is such a lovely idea! I actually don't have too many toys, but mum and I do donate to our local rescue. I am thinking though that maybe next year we can get some toys and take them over instead of just clicking a button!

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  25. We love it that the little ones will have a little happier time for a while.

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  26. Not this year, but once we gave away our cat tree and another brushing type lounger, that kitties could rub against.
    And they always love to get food, and even cleaning supplies.

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  27. It was very generous of you and Dakota to give some of your toys to the shelter animals. I'm sure it will help them enjoy their Christmas and pass some time until they find their forever homes.

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  28. What wonderful causes, and it was so generous of Cody and Dakota to share some of their toys with the shelter animals!

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  29. I love this blog hop and hearing how everyone is giving to their favorite shelter.
    Sue B

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  30. Cody that was very nice of you to donate your toys to other kittys. Rhette doesn't have many toys, he's kind of old I guess, but he says thanks for visiting our blog! Love Dolly

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  31. I love both of these donation events, so wonderful! I love to take part in donation drives every year. It's fun gathering much needed items or shopping for toys. Shelter pets need toys to alleviate stress and boredom, and just have fun!
    Love & Biscuits,
    Cathy, Isis & Phoebe
    www.dogsluvusandweluvthem.blogspot.com

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  32. How awesome that you participated in these amazing events to help shelter pals! Thank you! We are taking part in the Santa Kitty Toy Hop, too.

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  33. Such a wonderful post, Cody and Dakota you rock for donating your toys! What a special thing Summer and her Human created this year!

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