Snufflemats in Shelters?

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Erica
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Location: North Carolina

Snufflemats in Shelters?

Post by Erica »

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?
Delta, standard poodle, born 6/30/14
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Nettle
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Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?

Post by Nettle »

No experience but good for you - splendid idea.

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

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Shalista
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Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?

Post by Shalista »

noob question, what is a snufflemat? O.o
Baxter (AKA Bax, Chuckles, Chuckster) Rat Terrier, born 01/16/13
AliceGrimm
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Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?

Post by AliceGrimm »

Shalista wrote:noob question, what is a snufflemat? O.o
I had to look it up as well.

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.
Shalista
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Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?

Post by Shalista »

ooo the DOES look good!
Baxter (AKA Bax, Chuckles, Chuckster) Rat Terrier, born 01/16/13
emmabeth
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Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?

Post by emmabeth »

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 :)
West Midlands based 1-2-1 Training & Behaviour Canine Consultant
Erica
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Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2011 9:35 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?

Post by Erica »

Thanks emmabeth! I'll see what the Powers That Be think of that idea :)
Delta, standard poodle, born 6/30/14
Suzette
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Re: Snufflemats in Shelters?

Post by Suzette »

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! :D
My avatar is Piper, my sweet Pembroke Corgi. b. 5/11/11
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