Thrift Benefit for Shelter Animals: Last Chance Ranch

When talented blogger and animal lover Jeanette Chaney of 
Country Design Style, decided to do something to benefit shelter animals, she really meant business. Now in it's third year, the
Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals 
is a fun way to support thrift shops whose proceeds benefit our furry friends and bring awareness to their causes.

The Mission: 

1)Find a thrift store in your area which supports an animal charity. 

2) buy and redo a treasure and share it on October 13th!
or
Share a story about a rescue animal who touched your life

 This year 15+ bloggers from around the country are sharing their "thrifty" makeovers and favorite personal pet stories! 

Click HERE for link to Jeanette's blog and list of those participating!

I love discovering new thrift shops and was thrilled when I learned of a recently opened nearby store which benefitted a local rescue called Last Chance Ranch. Starting as a non-profit in 1999, the award winning charity specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating horses and equines, companion pets and small farm animals and finding them loving forever homes.

Photos Last Chance Ranch website

For more information, happy tales, volunteer and adoption details, and the wonderful story of how the ranch was started please click 
Last Chance Ranch

    Though visiting the ranch is still on my to-do list, I was delighted to visit their neighborhood thrift shop and get information about the organization. 

shop photo from thrift store facebook page and two of my finds "before"

  

The bright, neatly displayed shop boasts cheerful, friendly staff and brims with a collection of clothing, household items and a Pet Room, featuring pet toys, supplies and even gently used horse tack at amazing prices. I picked up a few treasures but will definitely be back for more. Since my finds were on the smaller side I decided to do two quick little projects.
   

    Kitty Step Stool

 

Most cat owners agree, felines will find the most comfortable seat in the house and quickly commandeer it. As our rescue kitties are moving up in years, we noticed jumping onto their favorite spots was becoming a bit of a struggle. When I saw this children's step stool I figured it could be just the right size to give our fur friends a leg/paw up.

 I started with a paint redo with a multi surface primer (sorry Samantha)

 in white

I then created a printable with one of my favorite cat quotes using images from the the graphics fairy

I stenciled the center area with some chalk paint to add background interest.
I then taped off some areas and sprayed gold.

Once dry, I adhered the image using Modge Podge, adding some handpainted accents with multi surface paint. Since this piece will be very gently used the decoupage should hold up fairly well under dainty paws.
Once dry I spritzed with clear varnish for added durability

  
Cat Cafe Treat Jar

I see these types of charming canisters often while thrifting so thought I would try to spruce it up a bit to suit our feline friends. Though I wasn't quite sure what results to expect, for 99 cents I was willing to experiment.

Using the same multi surface spray paint primer, I painted the jar camouflaging any tiny chips and giving me a blank canvas. I then accented it with multi surface paint (I used Martha Stewart and Folk art) in a simple blue and white palette with some gold accents to work better with our kitchen color scheme.

I printed a kitty (also from the graphics Fairy) and painted a mini chalkboard reading "Cat Treats" in french for that fancy cat continental touch. I mounted the printout on card stock and gave it a quick coat of varnish and used double stick craft foam tape to attach it to the jar. Since this jar is strictly decorative and would be storing bagged treats, I didn't worry about it being dishwasher safe. The chalkboard could be removed and reattached if the jar needed to be wiped off with a damp cloth.

for a recipe for homemade Kitty treats visit
our creature comforts post

Many Thanks to Jeannette for organizing this wonderful event!

   

For our previous year's Shelter Animal Benefit posts and more pet related DIY's click below.

Animal Lifeline and a Kitty footstool redo

2nd Annual Shelter Animal Benefit: Animal Lifeline

Blessing of the Animals keepsake and Animals in Distress Rescue

 1st Annual Shelter Animal benefit: Animals in Distress

Pop over and visit these other bloggers for more fun  DIY's and Fabulous Pet stories

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