“I have been involved with animals my whole life, we grew up taking in all the stray animals that found their way to our farm,” said Bonnie Leavitt, owner and founder of Crochet to the Rescue.
Leavitt, along with her husband and two children, began making a difference for homeless animals in 2010 by cleaning kitty litter boxes for the rescue group “Man’s Best Friend” in southern California. They had no idea they would be crocheting items to raise money for dogs in need shortly after.
“I cleaned kennels, socialized new litters, and fostered dogs. My husband and I did a lot of the kennel cleaning together,” Leavitt said. “My sons jobs were to help welcome the Foster dogs into the home, to help train them and get them used to children. They loved seeing which dog we would bring home next. They are also responsible for choosing the dogs we sponsor.”
Leavitt said her sons, ages six, four, and eleven months old already love dogs and are good at identifying dog breeds as well as understanding dog behavior.
“You’re never too young to help a homeless pet,” she said.
In November of 2011, Leavitt took a big step for herself as a volunteer — she started her own business, Crochet to the Rescue, and became an advocate for dogs in need.
“I decided to start Crochet to the Rescue because I had people asking if I’d be willing to sell what I crocheted, not being comfortable taking money, and knowing the plight of homeless pets I decided it would be a great way to help the shelters when I physically couldn’t be there to help,” Leavitt said.
Crochet to the Rescue is based out of Lemoore, CA and uses it’s profits to sponsor dogs at the Tulare shelter
Brimmed Beanie. Price starts at $5 color arrangements can be changed to suit. as well as size of hat. Price does vary depending on size. infant hats are $5 adult hats are $8
Sock monkey, these little things are getting popular arent they?? Make your little munchkin a monkey with this super cute hat, colors can be changed to suit a boy. Price starts at $6 for a newborn
“Sponsoring dogs is exciting I think. Especially for those that want to help out a pet but can’t bring them home,” Leavitt said.
To sponsor a dog (or cat) you pick whichever animal you would like to help similar to the way you would choose one to adopt. Some people have special connections with animals at shelters but are not able to adopt them — this is another option for those in that situation. The individual pays the adoption fee for the dog they’d like to sponsor — this makes them free to whoever is ready to give them a ‘forever home’.
“It also buys them time, a dog that is sponsored is less likely to be euthanized as long as its healthy. A sponsored dog is also more appealing to no kill rescue groups,” Leavitt said. “The cost varies by shelter, however many shelters will allow you to partially sponsor a dog. You put down whatever you can afford and it drops the dogs adoption fee by that amount. To me, if you can’t volunteer your time, sponsorship is the next best thing.”
This is Bob, he was one Crochet to the Rescue's first sponsored dogs. He was a handsome ddult male lab mix. Bob was adopted along with his companion Chloe less than a month after he was sponsored.
"This poor girl was surrendered without her puppies and was engorged and in pain, but such a sweet heart. Adult pure bred cocker spaniel. We used Honey's sponsorship to try and give this girl a second chance!"
Bonnie Leavitt crochets everything on her own, spending 20 hours a week to maintain CTTR. They were able to sponsor their first dog in December, only a month after the business started.
“I’ve also never done anything like it so its a learning experience. Its been pretty well received though, people choose to buy items from me specifically because it goes to helping dogs,” Leavitt said.
Baby items, hats, and booties are all in high demand but Leavitt does not limit her creativity to those specific things.
“I will try anything at least once. If someone wants me to do something I haven’t tried, all I ask for is time and I get it figured out. People can order items off the Crochet to the Rescue Facebook page,” Leavitt said. “Everything is made to order, the costs vary from $5-$35 or more depending on what is desired and the amount of time and materials it takes.”
The Leavitts’ have two dogs of their own: Roscoe, a boxer mix and Jack, a Shar Pei. While volunteering they noticed Roscoe because he was being attacked by his kennel mate.
Leavitt said Roscoe was a very nervous boy. He was a stray and brought into the Tulare County Animal Control with another dog. The Leavitts’ left after seeing Roscoe for the first time, but when they went back he was still there and they said he looked sad — that is when they decided to take Roscoe home and foster him until he found a new home.
Roscoe is one of the luckier dogs because he didn’t have to wait very long to find a new home — the Leavitts’ decided to adopt him and make his stay at their home forever.
“He was a dream from day one, got along wonderfully with our Shar Pei that we already had and also was very tolerant of our children, which is a huge deal for us,” Leavitt said. “He’s really just been an amazing member of the family. He’ll be a year old in July. He is still skittish, but is doing great he is so bubbly with us, he hops like a deer when he’s excited.”
Their other dog Jack, a Shar-Pei, was not rescued from a shelter or rescue group, but he needed a lot of medical care.
“Our Shar-Pei wasn’t homeless, we got him from a free add. He wasn’t what we were looking for in a dog, but when I asked them how they were doing their adoption process they said first come first serve — we knew we had to take him.”
Jack was 16 months old when the Leavitts’ got him. Leavitt said he had never been to a vet, given a bath, gone in a car or house and was never leash trained.
“He had to have surgery on his eyes because his eyelids were folded in and scratching his eyeballs. He’s partially blind now because of it. Its a battle with him, he’s cost thousands because of surgeries and medical care (he has horrible allergies) but he’s been so worth it just because of how wonderful he is,” Leavitt said.
“My niece, Bonnie Leavitt, has the most giving heart ever,” said Theresa, Leavitt’s Aunt. “She is a great person and I’m proud she is my family. Love you Bonnie.”
Homeless animals have somewhat of a negative reputation, but Leavitt said unwanted dogs know when they are loved and that they bloom into the most loving creatures.
“I think the term mans best friend was coined after someone adopted an unwanted dog,” Leavitt said.
Leavitt would like to eventually open her own rescue group. As much as she loves volunteering she said it’s hard visiting the shelter and noticing the dogs aren’t there anymore, especially when you know they weren’t adopted.
“I want to help the dogs, that’s my ultimate and only goal. These dogs never asked to be born and subsequently neglected, beaten, and thrown away. It’s our jobs as people to make sure they are cared for correctly. They are our pets.”
She also plans on volunteering full time when her children are school aged.
“It changes you, and I think everyone should spend at least one day volunteering with these animals. Its impossible to turn a blind eye after that.”
To order items from Crochet to the Rescue to help sponsor a shelter dog go to their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/crochettotherescue
The three best friends that anyone could have!
Bonnie said "this hat started as a joke, but its super fun! $5"
Searching For a "Forever Home" 