Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/recycling-for-vets/

If you’ve ever had a pet with an injured paw or leg, it’s quite possible you covered the treated owie with an old sock to keep them from licking or chewing the affected area. Used clothing no longer in the weekly rotation can be used for many things, like rags for cleaning or any number of craft projects.

Used Baby Clothes

But when it comes to baby clothes, which tiny tots go through at a frantic pace, they are quite frequently in “like-new” condition by the time they no longer fit. This is just fine, if you’re planning on having more kids or you want to pass them on to a new mom.

But what happens when they’re still in relatively good condition but you don’t feel they’re quite up to snuff to bag up and drop off at your sister or friend’s house? You can obviously donate them to a charitable cause but have you ever thought about donating them to a veterinary clinic or a shelter with onsite medical services?

Animal Shelters and Veterinarians

Why would you, you ask? Because vets and shelters are often in need of things like baby socks and onesies in their day-to-day operations. Baby socks, just like socks for humans of any age, are constantly disappearing into thin air. We usually hang on to them for a while hoping the mate will magically turn up. When they don’t, we usually use the remaining sock as a dust rag or just throw it in the trash.

But the next time you’re looking at a haul of baby clothes you’ll never use again, you might want to think about sharing them with an animal hospital to help some pet in their recovery process. Say what?

Think about it: Baby socks are the perfect size for dogs and cats. So are onesies. They’re generally lightweight and easy to slip on and off while being perfect for protecting surgery sites.

Donating Linens & Bedding

Additionally, shelters, rescues, and vets can always use things like sheets, towels, and blankets as long as they’re not stuffed with cotton batting. These facilities are perfect for items that still have a fair amount of mileage left on them but thrift or charitable stores might not be willing to take them. Giving them a second life is so much better than having them end up in a landfill somewhere.

So, the next time you or someone you know is wondering what to do with any of these goods, call your vet or your local shelters/rescues first before giving them the old heave-ho.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog