Dog Jackets and Sweaters

You bet you’re wriggly but they do! While many dog parents love the cute look, these garments actually make a huge difference in dogs’ lives. Whether a dog has a fur-ever home or is patiently waiting for his or hers in the shelter, a dog jacket or sweater can make a big impact. Your donations drive our mission and our success relies on your generosity, so rather than just stand here with our paws out asking for donations, we thought it would be a good idea to describe donations and why they are needed.

The Impact of Dog Jackets and Sweaters

1. Keeps dogs of all sizes warm and dry — yup this is the obvious reason you would give a dog a jacket or a sweater. In a shelter, many times the dog runs are half indoors and half outdoors. They are heated, but with the dog doors or opening in their runs, the heating might not be enough. Once the dog is outside they are also exposed to the elements — and in our town that can mean rain, sleet and snow all winter long. The dogs are also taken out for exercise to help keep them happy and healthy. Having a jacket during this play time can cut down on the number of baths they need, keeping their skin and coats nice and healthy.
2. Promotes healing in many situations — when stray animals come into the shelter, they have often been exposed to the elements for quite some time. This exposure leads to conditions like:
3. Mange — a skin condition much like eczema but much worse than any case you have ever had. Dogs can loose their fur and are constantly itching and scratching. The jackets and sweaters allow rescue workers and vets to treat the dogs, and prevent scratching and itching which causes open sores and elongates the healing process. Check out our story on Cheez-it the little guy who was stumbling around in a human t-shirt until we got him his very own jacket! Respiratory Infections — dogs and cats may develop a cold or a cough and the jackets and sweaters help to keep them warm while they are under going treatment. They also provide another level of comfort while they are in isolation as to keep the infection or illness from spreading to other healthy shelter residents.
4. Reduce Anxiety and Depression — Shelters can be loud, busy and full of energy. A dog might be surrendered or rescued after being on their own for an extended period of time. The noise and energy can cause anxiety and depression. This affects their ability to be adopted along with their quality of life. Dog jackets and sweaters help them to feel calm, and secure which has a great impact on their mood and emotions. Just look at the Thunder Shirt.
5. Visibility — Like we said, shelters can be energetic and busy places. Dogs are often excited, running their cages and barking. There are a few more quiet, more gentle souls in the shelters though. These tend to be very young or older dogs who might have a hard time being noticed, and therefore adopted. A bright or adorable jacket or sweater, even a flower or a bow tie can help draw attention to these sweet souls and get them adopted. Check out our story on Swan.

Dog jackets and sweaters aren’t a superfluous item — they are a life saver for shelter dogs and cats. We need your help to collect these. Store bought or hand made these items are so appreciated that we can’t even begin to describe their impact, but of course we’re trying!

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