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Ready to Aid The Animals?

DIY @ Home Hamster Hidey Hut

DURATION

1-2 hours

WHERE

@ Home!

WHEN

Throughout the year

WHOSE HELP IS REQUIRED

Adult

HOW IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Our shelter cats, dogs and rabbits stay happy and entertained while they patiently wait for new homes with the toys and treats made for them by volunteers like you. 

DESCRIPTION

Cats, dogs and rabbits at Pasadena Humane are patiently waiting for new homes. You can help entertain and keep them happy by making toys! Completed service projects may be submitted any time Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. to PH Volunteer Services Office. Please feel free to ask for a service hours acknowledgement form when you submit your completed projects.

ITEMS NEEDED

  • Small balloon
  • Cup
  • Roll of toilet paper (clean and unscented)
  • Water

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Some adult supervision might be required.

NEXT STEPS

Collect and organize all your supplies! Then, "VIEW INSTRUCTIONS" for step-by-step instructions.

WEBSITE


Sound like fun?VIEW INSTRUCTIONS▼ to get started.
Sending or dropping off items to a nonprofit? Don't forget to tell them you found them through PGK! Download and print a packing slip here.
  1. Blow up the balloon and place it on the open end of the cup.
  2. Wet strips of the toilet paper in water and plaster it around the balloon leaving an opening.
  3. For the next layer, stick the dry toilet paper to the balloon and sprinkle water over the toilet paper as needed to ensure all the layers of toilet paper stick.
  4. Keep layering the toilet paper onto the balloon until you have used about half a roll of toilet paper.
  5. Once the layering is done, it is time to dry! You can either stick the hidey hut outside in the sun, somewhere dry inside, or you can use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process. After a few hours, the hidey hut should be dry enough to remove the balloon!
  6. To remove the balloon, pop it and then remove the popped balloon from the inside of the hidey hut.
  7. Set the hidey hut back in its drying place to finish drying. It can take up to 2 days for the toy to completely dry.
  8. Once your hidey hut is completely dry, it is ready to be given to your hamster!
  9. Submit completed projects to PH: 361 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105.
  10. Be sure to let us know that you found this activity through PGK.
  11. Kindly fill out this PGK impact form when you’ve completed the activity. 

NOTE: Remember always to use clean, unscented toilet paper for small animal toys and never allow a small animal to interact with an inflated or deflated balloon.