Group provides 25,000 blankets to pets living in animal shelters

Comfort for Critters, a Glen Ellyn-based volunteer program that creates handmade blankets for pets living in animal shelters, has reached its goal of delivering 25,000 blankets since its founding in 2007.

The program, which began by supporting just one shelter in Wheaton, has shipped blankets to 35 animal shelters in Illinois and another 100-plus shelters across the U.S.

Volunteers make the blankets that provide a comfortable bed year-round for pets awaiting adoption. When they are adopted, their blanket goes with them, providing something familiar as they adjust to their "forever family."

Cats, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and more "critters" are comforted by this group.

Last year alone, Comfort for Critters shipped 7,500 blankets to animal shelters, including the Naperville Humane Society in Naperville, DuPage County Animal Control in Wheaton, West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove, House Rabbit Society of Chicago in Westchester and Cat Guardians in Lombard. All blankets are shipped free to the shelter.

Founder Linda Kastiel Kozlowski said the group hopes to distribute 10,000 blankets this year.

Material donations, including washable yarn and fleece, are always in high demand. "Partial skeins and yarn leftovers are happily accepted," Kozlowski said.

The group also welcomes new crafters - both seasoned experts and newbies. In addition, monetary donations are accepted at the group's website to help pay for the cost of shipping hundreds of blankets each month.

For more information and pictures of pets enjoying their blankets, visit www.comfortforcritters.org.