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

                                                          An InLinkz Link-up

Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals: Animal Lifeline

I so was delighted when I learned talented blogger Jeanette Chaney of Country Design Style was hosting 
Thrift Benefit for Sheltered Animals
again this year. 
Rescue pets have been part of our family for as long as I remember and I was thrilled to support and help bring attention to organizations which benefit this very worthy cause. The fact that the event also includes thrift shopping and crafting made it a 
win-win!

   
The Challenge: 

1) Find a nearby thrift store whose proceeds benefits animals    

 2) Buy an item to redo and/or feature in your blog post 

  3)  Share your post and link up with other participating bloggers on October 14th   

Or   

Inspire others by sharing a story 
about how rescuing a pet has
 impacted your life 
   

    Not familiar with thrift shops benefitting animals in my immediate area, an online search happily led me to Animal Lifeline  

 located in Warrington Pa. Set in a modest suburban shopping plaza, the unassuming storefront belies the amazing scope of work this multifaceted organization does nationwide on behalf of animals in need.

Clockwise from top left: A cheery mural celebrates our furry friends, A four footed coworker on break, Fall and Halloween items welcome shoppers by the front window, china and collectables - including lots of animals of course, much needed Disaster relief

I was delighted to be able to chat with Animal Lifeline's founder Denise Bash who kindly took the time to tell me about some of the history, challenges and goals of this wonderful organization.

Started in 2006 as a garage sale, animal lifeline is now an instrumental resource for animal welfare, partnering with other organizations to help animals who are victims of disasters and abuse as well as raising funds for shelter rebuilds, supplies and much needed spaying and neutering

For more information visit www.animallifelinepa.org

Headlines: responding, rescuing and rebuilding,
stray cat Pele (found trapped in a soccer net) now safe and sound,
a doggy 5k fundraiser, a kitty check-up
photos Animal lifeline site and Pele by Cpaul

The thrift shop itself features 4 rooms brimming with a variety of housewares, clothing, children's items and gifts all delightfully and artfully arranged by theme. (there's even a wedding room) and the helpful cheerful shop staff clearly have a passion for the work they do.

 I found several fabulous treasures.....

 but since Chloe immediately commandeered the footstool, I thought I'd choose it to redo as a fun perch for her and my other finicky feline friends.

I popped off the top of the stool, cutting away the top layer of fabric (there were 3 more layers underneath so this was a re-re-redo) and gave the base a quick spritz using brushed metallic spray paint I had on hand.

I then cut out a layer of 1" foam, adding it for extra "creature" comfort. I tightly covered the top with white canvas fabric, stapling securely to the wood underneath. 

Once taut I began painting using chalk paint and acrylics.

I decided on a regal crowned kitty, stenciling "Le Chat" for some french flair and stamped a border in matte silver. Since the look is a bit shabby chic, I didn't fret over slight dings and drips and smudges.
 A spritz of clear coat added durability and protects against muddy paws. 

Does her majesty approve? We'll have to wait and see.

Love crafting for your critters? 
Visit our previous posts featuring Pennywise Pet Projects

Clockwise from top left

Photo Pet memento from last Years Thrift benefit: Blessing of the animals

Kitty tea party & Upcycled pet bed from a cardboard box from Creature comforts

 Dog biscuits in a jar & Pet silhouettes for the holidays from Not a creature was stirring

Thanks so much for visiting!

 hanging out in the Animal Lifeline office 

Please check out the links below or pop over to Country Design Style for the other bloggers participating in this event and links to touching rescue stories, inspired DIY projects and the various charities serving our furry friends around the country.