14 Unexpected Items You Can Donate to Animal Shelters From fleece scarves to canned goods, support your local animal shelter by donating these items. Close Credit: FatCamera / Getty Images Animal shelters are always searching for donations to improve the lives of the furry friends in their care. While most people think about donating bags of food, worn blankets, or old toys, shelters rely on a surprising variety of items to keep their residents safe and comfortable. From office supplies for adoption paperwork to household items that make cleaning kennels easier, these are the unexpected items animal shelters will gladly take—and you may already have in your home. Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, a nonprofit animal welfare organization that runs the country’s largest no-kill sanctuary in Kanab, Utah Jamie Berger, director of marketing and communications with ARF Hamptons, a nonprofit organization that rescues cats and dogs and provides them with quality care, until a loving home is found Jamie Whittenburg, DVM, veterinarian director at Senior Tail Waggers and a former shelter veterinarian with over 20 years of experience The 10 Most Popular Lap Dogs in the US (#3 Is One of Martha's Favorites) 01 of 14 Canned Pumpkin Have an unopened can of pumpkin in your pantry from fall baking? Consider donating it to your local animal shelter. Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society, says canned pumpkin helps soothe the upset stomachs of dogs and cats. "Comforting a pet, even in small ways, helps keep them healthy, and on the fast track to family life," she adds. 02 of 14 Yoga Mats Credit: Tatomm / Getty Images Don't throw away your old yoga mat—Castle says these are "pure gold" in animal shelters. "Yoga mats provide dogs a safe, non-slip place to learn new skills or recover from surgery, and they’re a breeze to clean," she notes. Jamie Berger of ARF Hamptons agrees, adding that yoga mats can also be used to soundproof noisy kennels. 03 of 14 Fleece Scarves Extra fleece scarves can be cut, braided, and used at animal shelters as tug toys for dogs or teaser wands for cats. "These kinds of interactive toys foster positive interaction that helps dogs and cats shine for adopters," says Castle. 6 Things Thrift Stores Won't Resell After You Donate Them 04 of 14 Pens Go through your junk drawer and corral extra pens to donate to animal shelters. "From intake forms to medical charts to adoption paperwork, pens play a very useful and often underrated part in getting pets adopted and into loving homes," says Castle. 05 of 14 Meat-Flavored Baby Food Meat-flavored baby food is a "secret weapon" for picky eaters at animal shelters, says Berger. "Perfect for finicky or recovering kittens, the savory scent encourages eating when other foods fail, helping them regain strength and energy," she notes. 06 of 14 Tents Credit: Andrii Yalanskyi / 500px / Getty Images Lightweight and easy to set up, Castle says pop-up tents are perfect for creating a shaded area at adoption events. "They give pets and people a chance to connect comfortably," she notes. 07 of 14 Baby Monitors Another item intended for children that is coveted by animal shelters is baby monitors. "These allow staff to keep an ear (and eye!) on animals without sneaking into their space every five minutes—less stress for them, more peace of mind for us," says Berger. 08 of 14 Baby Wipes Baby wipes go a long way at animal shelters. "These are essential for gently cleaning eyes, ears, and paws without causing skin irritation," says Jamie Whittenburg, DVM, veterinarian director at Senior Tail Waggers. "They also help keep animals presentable for adopters and can be used to clean minor messes in the shelter." 09 of 14 Muffin Tins Down-sizing your cookware collection? Consider donating muffin tins to your local animal shelter. "These make great slow feeders, helping speed-eaters take their time, digest better, and enjoy a little mental workout at mealtime," says Berger. 10 of 14 Vacuum Cleaners Credit: Photoboyko / Getty Images Animal shelters use vacuums to keep the space clean for pets and visitors. Plus, Berger notes that they are also used as a training tool to desensitize animals to household noises, making the transition to home life smoother. 11 of 14 Baby Slings Similar to infants, baby slings provide comfort and security to small animals by keeping them close to a caretaker’s body, which Berger says reduces anxiety during socialization or recovery. 12 of 14 Empty Paper Towel Rolls After finishing a roll of toilet paper or paper towels, hold onto the cardboard, which animal shelters use as animal toys. "They are simple, free, and endlessly entertaining for cats to bat and chase—bonus points if you hide treats inside," says Berger. 13 of 14 Squeeze Cheese Squeeze cheese from a can or bottle can be used as a treat for animals. "This treat can allow for examinations, nail trims, and vaccinations by providing a high-value reward and distraction," says Whittenburg. "Squeeze cheese can also be used to coat pills and ease medication administration." 14 of 14 Flashlights The work in a shelter never stops, even when the power goes out. "I have been in the unfortunate situation of trying to care for shelter animals in a power outage," says Whittenburg. "Having a supply of flashlights with fresh batteries is essential." Explore more: Living Pets