By: Dom DiFurio
Three orange-and-white kittens with wide eyes, peering directly at the camera.
Anna Krivitskaya // Shutterstock

6 great gifts for shelter cats this holiday season

Each year, millions of cats enter the animal shelter system. And this year, shelters are reporting rising populations.

In the first half of 2024, shelters experienced fewer animals coming in but longer stays, leading to an increase of more than 320,000 pets in facilities nationwide, according to Shelter Animals Count. To explore what holiday gifts needy cats need most, Meowtel reviewed shelter wish lists and the nonprofit's 2024 mid-year report.

Rising shelter populations mean they'll need more assistance than ever this winter—specifically for cats. While shelters have seen a higher rate of dogs being returned to owners, adopted, or living in the shelter system, cats faced euthanasia 10 times more often than dogs in the first half of 2024.

Many animal lovers want to help, but shelters aren't able to accept every donated item despite good intentions to help. Specifically, they tend to avoid accepting products that have already been used. Certain gifts, like pet foods, pose obvious problems when past their expiration or if they're already opened. Others, like worn towels, could have strings dangling from them that pose a safety risk to animals.

However, there are several relatively inexpensive, new products that shelters frequently need to care for and comfort strays that will call their kennels home for the holiday season.

Woman holding a young kitten close to her chest.
Evgenii Bakhchev // Shutterstock

Purr-fect presents for felines looking for a family

Cat food and litter
Shelters will always need additional food and litter to provide a place for their furry tenants to relieve themselves. And if you're going to donate some food, why not throw in a package of tuna treats while you're at it? Just make sure items are still sealed and that those cans aren't past their expiration dates.

Batteries
A number of cat toys on the market have electronic functionality built in that keeps cats engaged with preprogrammed motion. Those toys are sometimes rechargeable, but many operate on AA and AAA batteries, which commonly appear on shelter wish lists this time of year.

Scratching boards
Scratching boards can be as necessary for cats as chew toys are for dogs. These aren't just stimulating toys for our feline friends but a way to groom themselves and keep their claws sharp and healthy. They also help cats stretch their muscles and can teach them to claw at a designated spot rather than on a future family's couch. Companies like Stretch & Scratch provides bulk scratching boards made with shelter environments in mind.

Puzzles
Games and puzzles can motivate a feline to seek a reward by inviting them to reason, unlock, activate, or manipulate a toy. These toys might incorporate scratching boards, moving parts, lights, slots for treats, and other flashy features to keep cats' attention.

Beds
Nothing will keep a shelter cat cozy like a soft bed to snuggle in. Several shelter wish lists include pet beds. Consider springing for an enclosed bed that can give the cat a quiet, dark enclosure, which can give a sense of security and privacy in their kennel. Some beds these days even come with self-warming capabilities. If you can't afford to donate an entire bed, consider donating a set of new towels. These always come in handy to care for shelter pets and line kennels.

Fostering
The ultimate gift you could give a shelter cat is a temporary, or even permanent, home. Many pet shelters report a surge in people surrendering their pets after the holidays. One reason might be that pets are sometimes given as gifts this time of year to recipients who may unfortunately not be prepared to care for them.

If you are considering adopting a new furry family member, experts recommend ensuring the household and entire family are prepared to take on the time commitment and financial responsibility of pet ownership.

If you can't take on caring for a cat in your home as a foster, consider spending some time at the shelter with them to provide companionship, socialization, and plenty of petting. Shelters are always seeking volunteers.

A woman holding a pet carrier with a gray cat inside as a young girl watches.
Nomad_Soul // Shutterstock

Finding a shelter

To find shelters near you where you can have an impact, search for your city or county's animal services department. Many of these shelters will share links online to wish lists full of products on Amazon or Chewy.

Remember, shelters also universally appreciate cash donations. Organizations like Cuddly Club help connect people who want to help shelter animals with shelters in their community that need assistance. You can peruse listings, learn about the individual animals and what they need, and pledge money toward supporting their care.

Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Ania Antecka.

This story originally appeared on Meowtel and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.

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