The Ruff Toy Project, started by Northeast Philadelphia animal lover Caitlin Parylak, refurbishes old toys and donates them to dog and cat shelters, Rita Giordano writes for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“I’m a big repurpose kind of person,” he says. “When I first got my foster dogs a few years ago, they went through the toys with no business. I thought it was a great way to repurpose. Plus, it’s a win-win for everyone. . People feel good when they give away their toys.”
A few months ago, Parylak posted a call for unwanted, in-need-of-repair pet toys on Facebook, and Philadelphians delivered.
Before long, she created her own island of pet toys, a one-woman workshop that has so far rehabbed about 300 toys with more on the way.
Parylak donated most of the toys to ACCT-Philly and the Pennsylvania SPCA.
He’s also a Secret Santa of sorts, going around putting his completed toys in shelters’ donation bins or giving them to friends to drop off.
“I’m not a limelight person,” he says.
Pet owners who have contributed to the Ruff Toy Project say they are grateful for the opportunity to help animals in need.
Read more about the Ruff Toy Project at The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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