Animal shelters and rescues love fleece blankets for the pets in their care. Blankets are used for kittens to keep them warm and are a comfort to dogs and rabbits too.
Free, Ready-to-Use Projects That Help Shelter Animals
Step-by-step service learning activities for classrooms, scouts, families, and community groups.
Easy Projects. Real Impact
Whether you’re at school, home, or with your troop, you can start making a difference today. Each project includes step-by-step printable instructions, materials lists, and guidance for helping animals in your community—all FREE!
No Sew Blankets
- 45-60 min
- 3–12
- Moderate
- Good for Individuals & Groups
Design Adoption Posters
- 45 min - 2 hrs
- 3–12
- Easy
- Good for Individuals & Groups
Make Adoption Posters to promote and give visibility to adoptable pets at your local Animal shelter/rescue. Perfect for sharing on social media and displaying on school bulletin boards and at your local library too!
Hold a Towel & Blanket Drive
- Multi-day
- 3–12
- Easy
- Families & Homeschool, Partners / Small Groups, Whole Class / Large Group, Scout Troops & Youth Clubs
A simple towel or blanket can help a shelter pet feel warm, safe, and comforted while waiting for a new home. These everyday items are also used daily for bedding, grooming, cleaning, and medical care. Organize a donation drive and help provide one of your local shelter’s most-needed supplies.
Every Project Comes Ready to Use
Everything you need to take a project from idea to action—all in one place.
Materials
Step-by-Step Instructions
Planning Tips
Standards Connections
Reflection & Discussion
Extension Ideas
How It Works
3 easy steps to making a real difference for shelter animals.
01
Choose a Project
Browse free project ideas — rope toys, no-sew blankets, fundraisers, and more. Every one comes with a printable instruction sheet.
02
Create & Take Action
Dive in solo, as a class, with your scout troop, or as a family. No experience, no budget, no problem!
03
Help Animals
Donate what you make to a local shelter or rescue. Real kids, real projects, real impact — for pets waiting for their forever homes.
Created by a Teacher, Inspired by Real Classroom Experience
I created Paws Up Projects as a way to inspire and support anyone to help animal shelters and rescues. They need our help and here’s a fun way to do it!
Our Impact so Far
Projects Benefitting Shelters & Rescues
0
Raised
$
0
Shelters & Rescues Helped
0
People Who Have Helped Shelters & Rescues
0
* updated 7/10/2026
Who Uses Paws Up Projects?
Teachers and Schools
Hands-on service projects, mini lessons, and classroom activities that connect students with animal welfare.
Clubs and Scout Groups
Great for service projects, leadership activities, fundraisers, and teamwork.
Families, Homeschool & Animal Lovers
Simple ways kids and families can help shelter animals from home or in their communities.
What Teachers, Students and Shelters Are Saying
Alex Sanchez
Dog Program Manager, Hopalong
I was one of the first people to hear about Paws Up Projects when it was first an idea. I LOVED it right from the start and know it will have a big impact in helping animal shelters and rescues everywhere!
John L. Lipp
CEO (Ret), Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter
Paws Up Projects is an exciting new resource that allows people to see, and recreate, fun projects that make a direct impact for animal shelters. It inspires innovative solutions and helps build our community of life-savers. It’s a fantastic new tool!
Ella H.
Student Animal Advocate
When I was 12 years old I wrote an ordinance to ban cat declawing in my city and got it passed. I’m excited to be a part of Paws Up Projects to inspire other kids to make a difference for animals. Paws Up Projects is a perfect way to showcase what can be done no matter what your age.
Ms. Humeston
Middle School Teacher
I was looking for a meaningful community service project for my middle school students and found Paws Up Projects. Our students created no-sew blankets and rope toys for a local animal shelter, and the project quickly grew into a campus-wide effort. I highly recommend Paws Up Projects to educators looking for engaging service learning projects.
Real Students. Real Projects. Real Impact.
See how classrooms, clubs, schools, and families are helping shelter animals through creativity, teamwork, and service.
Shelters & Rescue Partners
