I'm getting into the enrichment and training side of shelter volunteering now. A few of the other shelter volunteers also love snufflemats and want to include them in the enrichment program (especially since they take very little training to use, so more than just the enrichment team could set them up!).
The problem we have is the question of hygiene and keeping illness from spreading. The snuffle mats don't seem to survive the industrial washer for long. Does anyone have experience with using snufflemats in shelters or rescues? How did that organization keep things hygienic without destroying the snufflemats?
Snufflemats in Shelters?
Moderators: emmabeth, BoardHost
Snufflemats in Shelters?
Delta, standard poodle, born 6/30/14
Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?
No experience but good for you - splendid idea.
I think maybe you just treat it as built-in obsolescence, and replace them often.
I think maybe you just treat it as built-in obsolescence, and replace them often.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog
SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS
SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS
Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?
noob question, what is a snufflemat? O.o
Baxter (AKA Bax, Chuckles, Chuckster) Rat Terrier, born 01/16/13
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Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?
I had to look it up as well.Shalista wrote:noob question, what is a snufflemat? O.o
http://www.allpetseducationandtraining. ... ayhem.html
I think it would be a cool thing to get school kids doing.. like making the ties.. or something. I think it would be too time consuming for people at the shelters to do.. Unless volunteers do it. Perhaps the mats themselves can be washed.. but material could be donated. Perhaps old shirts or old blankets can be used as well? If material costs to much. Old sheets. Have a donation drive or a snuffle drive.. I dunno.
Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?
ooo the DOES look good!
Baxter (AKA Bax, Chuckles, Chuckster) Rat Terrier, born 01/16/13
Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?
I make them for shelters, using a heavy duty rubber doormat and fleece.
Do NOT put these in even an industrial washing machine though! They are so heavy when wet (And even heavier if you make them out of something other than fleece!).
Instead, hang over a fence and jet wash, and you can also scald with boiling water if a jetwash with some dog-safe disinfectant isn't suitable.
If made with fleece they dry relatively quickly
Do NOT put these in even an industrial washing machine though! They are so heavy when wet (And even heavier if you make them out of something other than fleece!).
Instead, hang over a fence and jet wash, and you can also scald with boiling water if a jetwash with some dog-safe disinfectant isn't suitable.
If made with fleece they dry relatively quickly
West Midlands based 1-2-1 Training & Behaviour Canine Consultant
Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?
Thanks emmabeth! I'll see what the Powers That Be think of that idea
Delta, standard poodle, born 6/30/14
Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?
I have never heard of these before. I love this idea! Thank you for posting. I Googled Snufflemat and found a great tutorial for making one. Can't wait - Piper will love this!
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11