After seeing yesterday's post about the cat hat craze that's sweeping the nation, Marilyn sent me a note about her very own line of feline-inspired head apparel, fashioned to help support feral cats.
Her shop, Catnip Hill, offers handmade fleece caps in a variety of colors, and just like kittens, you never know what you're going to get! Also, just like many feral cats around the country, the hats have one ear tipped to indicate that they're part of a Trap Neuter Return program.
For those who don't know, Trap Neuter Return (TNR) volunteers trap feral cats, have them spayed or neutered, and then return them back to their colonies, where they can continue to live without the threat of reproducing. The kitties also have one ear snipped in a painless procedure while they are still under anesthesia, so that once they're returned to the wild, caretakers know they've already been tended to.
One third of the sales from Marilyn's hats go to Carol's Ferals, her local TNR based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Whether you're a feral cat caregiver, or would just like to show your support with a cozy kitty hat, check out Catnip Hill for more info on how to order!
Love, love, LOVE these!
ReplyDeleteWonder if Marilyn would be willing to share the pattern -- would love to make these to support fundraising for a cat rescue group that does TNR in Canada!
@Raven:No, but I would be willing to work with your group in supplying hats at a lower rate for a bulk purchase for fund-raising. Get in touch with me!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn Hamill
Catnip Hill at Etsy
I had no idea that the trimmed ear was a deliberate mark, but that makes so much sense! It's just like marking livestock, a shorthand communication tool for the folks doing this. Thanks for promoting Marilyn's support with the TNR efforts!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn make her first prototype hat for ME! She's a long time friend who is excellent with the needle and thread and has ideas up the wazoo! She's uber creative. The hats she sells helps fund TNR in West Michigan. If she sells hats to your group at her discounted rate, you can make money selling them too. If you are a TNR group....contact Marilyn. Make money to fund your snips!
ReplyDelete~Carol Manos
Executive Director & Founder, Carol's Ferals