As someone who believes every animal deserves to feel safe and loved, Pillows for Paws holds a special place in my heart. The comfort items PFP creates—soft pillows, cozy blankets, and playful toys—bring warmth, joy, and relief to shelter animals who would otherwise face cold cages and long days alone. These simple yet powerful gifts often change everything: a comfortable, relaxed animal is more likely to play, engage, and capture the heart of a potential adopter.
What makes PFP truly extraordinary is that it helps people too. Through hands-on volunteer projects and community outreach in schools, parks, and local events, people of all ages—especially children—learn compassion, empathy, and the importance of caring for animals. It’s not just about helping pets find comfort and homes; it’s about building a kinder world for all living beings.
Heather R.
Pillows for Paws Volunteer
Any time we get a donation from Pillows for Paws, it's so exciting and such a relief. We know the cats will love the toys, and the beds will help make their temporary homes much more comfortable for them. When our population is high, the handmade toys have really saved us!
They help us socialize some of the more fearful cats, too - for a shut-down or scared cat, a new Pillows for Paws toy builds their confidence and gets them playing and bunny kicking! The handmade beds make their cardboard boxes more comfy and entice the more hesitant cats to curl up and relax. I love to use the beds for senior cats, too, as they need the extra cushioning for their frequent cat naps!
Overall, Pillows for Paws donations help to make our cages and environment look much more inviting and homey to adopters as well.
Clare R.
Animal Care Centers of NYC Staff
On behalf of the entire Canine Behavior Team at Queens ACC, we want to tell Pillow for Paws just how much your donations mean to us.
Our goal is toward bettering the behavioral and mental health of our dogs, even when our population numbers can skyrocket at any time. The good news is that your donations of treats, toys, and enrichment items help us build positive experiences for our dogs that are scared, stressed, or in need of that extra TLC to blossom into the best version of themselves.
We hope you feel our gratitude and we can’t wait to share our continuous progress with our dogs. You are a part of our essential community, and we couldn’t make this positive impact on our dogs without you.
Many, many thanks and our deepest appreciation!
Michaela C.
Animal Care Centers of NYC Staff
The handmade beds are so comfortable, and they help cats to better adjust to the shelter environment. Even the shy cats spend more time resting on the soft beds instead of hiding in their dens!
They LOVE the catnip pillows, too! I've seen cats immediately open up and wrestle them and have fun!
The toys provide a fantastic opportunity to initiate playtime and help the cats build a positive association with their caretakers. Seeing cats enjoy the beds and toys in the shelter helps potential adopters envision how the cats would behave in their own home environment, which can be a helpful factor in making the final adoption decision.
We are extremely grateful for these Pillows for Paws donations that improve cats' overall well-being and assist the feline behavior team and Animal Care Center's mission of ending animal homelessness in NYC!
Pornin T.
Animal Care Centers of NYC Staff
Working with Pillows for Paws was an absolute pleasure! Jen and Simina guided our team through making fleece beds and tug toys that will be donated to Animal Care Centers of New York City. The event was hands‑on, meaningful, and great for team‑building — we can’t wait to do it again!
Karen
Corporate Volunteer