FGCU Student Service-Learning Opportunities

Service-learning opportunities on this page are for FGCU STUDENTS ONLY. If you/your child are a Collier County High School or Middle School Student, please click here.

Animal Enrichment Items

Why create enrichment items for the animals at Humane Society Naples?

Humane Society Naples (HSN) is an independent nonprofit serving the public by providing care, shelter and placement through pet adoptions into loving homes for orphaned animals in the Collier County area. We never place a time limit on how long dogs, cats and other pets stay at our shelter while they wait for their special people to come and adopt them.

Comfort and enrichment are important components of the care we provide for our animals. Enrichment is the term used for things that can enhance the quality of life for our animals. By creating items that provide comfort and/or opportunities for our animals to perform behaviors that are part of their natural repertoire, you can support us in ensuring our animals are well-cared for and their minds are engaged and healthy. In the specific instructions for each item you will find information about what makes this item valuable for the animals, and directions on how to create the item.

Please check our website from time-to-time as enrichment is a dynamic endeavor. We will post additional items and instructions as our needs and those of our animals evolve.

Instructions & Requirements for Creating Enrichment Items for Service Hours (Please CAREFULLY read all 7 steps below before beginning.):

  1. If you are under 18 years old, ask permission from your parent/guardian.
  2. Submit the HSN Registration Form, found in the tab below or to the left of these Instructions & Requirements, depending upon which device you are using. If you are under 18 years old, your parent/guardian must fill out the form. You will receive an automated email confirming receipt of your Registration Form.
  3. Review Humane Society Naples website to learn more about us. Carefully read our Home page and About page: Our Mission and What We Do. You will need this information to complete the Reflection Questions on the Summary Form.
  4. Register Tracey Talentino, Volunteer Coordinator, Humane Society Naples, as your service-learning project supervisor with the FGCU Eagle Service Network when you begin your project. Use volunteers@hsnaples.org as her contact email address and 239-643-1555 as her contact phone number.
  5. Click on the tab/s of the item/s you are interested in making. Tabs are found below or to the left of these Instructions & Requirements, depending upon which device you are using. Follow the instructions in the tab/s for making these specific item/s.
  6. Submit the HSN Summary Form, found in the tab below or to the left of these Instructions & Requirements, once you have completed your items. Please note on your Summary Form the type of items you have made, the number of items you will deliver to Humane Society Naples, and the number of service hours you have completed. DO NOT submit the Summary Form until you have completed all of your items and you have your final service hours count.
  7. AFTER SUBMITTING your Summary Form, please follow the directions below to deliver your items to Humane Society Naples’ Main Shelter (use the Main Entrance) and ensure you receive credit for your service hours:
    • Deliver your completed items in a bag or box on the following days and times ONLY: Wednesday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm, Saturday-Sunday from 8:00-10:30am.
    • Include a sheet of paper in your bag/box of items that clearly notes your name, your email address and phone number, the type and number of items you are delivering, and the number of service hours you have earned.
    • DO NOT place the items in our donation bins outside of the shelter.
    • Deliver your items directly to one of our Guest Services Representatives at our Front Desk, and ensure you ask the name of that person. If our front door is locked when you arrive, please call our main number 239-643-1555, press “0”, and tell the receptionist you are outside to complete a student donation delivery and you need to see one of our Guest Services Representatives.
    • DO NOT wait until the last minute to deliver your items. It may take up to one week to verify your service hours depending upon when we receive the link from the FGCU Eagle Service Network. Please plan accordingly based on the date by which you need to have your hours verified.
    • You are responsible for submitting your service hours to the FGCU Eagle Service Network immediately after you deliver your items to us so they can send us a link to verify your hours.
Our feline and canine residents really enjoy snuggling in the fleece beds/blankets that you will find pictured below. Given the large number of animals that we care for, we always need more of these items. Please note that you would need to purchase, at your own expense, the fleece material needed.

You will need to track the number of service hours you spend creating these items. On average, we have found that it takes approximately 45 minutes to make a fleece cat bed and 1.5 hours to make a fleece dog bed. (Your first bed may take longer as you will be learning the technique.) Please note we do not place a limit on the number of fleece beds you may make for our animals.

Instructions for Creating Cat and Dog Fleece Beds:

YOU NEED:

  • 2 pieces lightweight fleece material: 18” x 24” for cat bed; 30” x 42” for dog bed
  • Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Lay 1 piece of fabric on a flat surface and cut 4” fringe along all 4 sides
  • Repeat this for the second piece of fabric
  • Layer the first piece of fabric onto the second piece of fabric and lay flat on a table or the floor
  • Using a piece of fringe from the top layer and a piece of fringe from the bottom layer, tie a knot
  • Repeat knotting around all 4 sides
  • Finished cat bed should measure approximately 11” x 17”
  • Finished dog bed should measure approximately 23” x 35”

Our dogs and cats really enjoy foraging for treats in the snuffle mats you will find pictured below. Think of these as “brain games” for animals. These types of activities help keep our animals’ minds engaged, which in turn helps keep them happy and balanced.

Please note:

  • You will need to purchase, at your own expense, the materials needed.
  • You will need to track the number of service hours you spend creating these items. On average, we have found that it takes approximately 2 hours to make a 12 x 12 inches snuffle mat. (Your first snuffle mat may take longer as you will be learning the technique.)
  • We do not dictate that the snuffle mats be a specific size, but we do prefer larger mats (16 x12 inches or larger) for our dogs, and these will take longer to make. To make the larger mats you can put two smaller mats together, side by side, and overlap two of the rows by putting the fleece pieces through both mats and tightly knotting them.
  • We do not place a limit on the number of snuffle mats you may make for our animals.

Instructions for Creating Snuffle Mats:

YOU NEED:

  • A sink mat (please see photo below and video via link below)
  • About one to one-and-a-half yards of medium weight fleece material
  • Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Please view the demonstration video via the following link, then read the additional information and see the photos below the link.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Sources for materials:

  • Sink mats: Dollar Tree, Amazon, Walmart or Home Depot, other hardware stores.
  • Fleece material: JOANN Fabric, Amazon, Walmart and other stores that sell material/fabric. You can also find inexpensive fleece blankets at thrift stores, too. The key is that fleece is easy to tie, won’t ravel, is washable and is still thin enough to go through the holes.

Tips for making the snuffle mats: 

  • If sink mat is very thin, put two together for more stability.
  • Cut fleece strips about an inch wide and approximately 9 inches long and some pieces varied in length to give dimension and interest to the animals in their foraging. It doesn’t have to be exact.
  • The video explains to tie by rows and it’s easier to work by rows in order to not miss holes. Please see the photo above of a sink mat with rows highlighted in red and blue (to demonstrate that you can work rows either horizontally or vertically).
  • It is very important to securely double knot the fleece pieces so the animals (especially dogs) can’t unravel them, and they’ll stay tied during the washing.
  • The photo above of the finished snuffle mat will give you an idea of what the final product should look like.

Student Donation Drive

Why donate items to help Humane Society Naples?

Humane Society Naples (HSN) is an independent nonprofit serving the public by providing care, shelter and placement through pet adoptions into loving homes for orphaned animals in the Collier County area. We never place a time limit on how long dogs, cats and other pets stay at our shelter while they wait for their special people to come and adopt them.

We are supported solely by private donations. The public’s support allows us to offer our animals an opportunity for a second chance at life. Donations of food and other essential items help us operate our shelter, our foster program and our Pet Food Pantry. Through our Pet Food Pantry we provide help to community members who are facing temporary hardships and are at risk of having to surrender their dearly loved pets to a shelter.

Instructions & Requirements for Completing a Student Donation Drive for Service Hours (Please CAREFULLY read all 7 steps below before beginning):

  1. Submit the HSN Registration Form found in the tab below or to the left of these Instructions & Requirements, depending upon which device you are using. If you are under 18 years old, you must ask permission from your parent/guardian, and they must fill out the form. You will receive an automated email confirming receipt of your Registration Form.
  2. Review our List of Items Needed found in the tab located below or to the left of these Instructions & Requirements, depending upon which device you are using. These are the only items that are eligible for you to receive hours for your Student Donation Drive. Also review our HSN website to learn more about us. Carefully read our Home page and About page: Our Mission and What We Do. You will need this information to complete the Reflection Questions on the Summary Form.
  3. Register Tracey Talentino, Volunteer Coordinator, Humane Society Naples, as your service-learning project supervisor with the FGCU Eagle Service Network when you begin your project. Use volunteers@hsnaples.org as her contact email address and 239-643-1555 as her contact phone number.
  4. There are various ways you can complete the Donation Drive.  Be sure to share your story with the people in your network as to why you are doing this activity! By sharing our mission with other people, you are helping us promote our life-saving work!  The more people you get involved the better. Some suggestions: 
    • You may conduct a fundraiser via GoFundMe, your social media platforms, email, and/or other means and use the funds you collect to purchase items from our List of Items Needed. You may then bring the items to our Main Shelter following the directions at the bottom of this page. If you purchase items online, (i.e., from Amazon.com, Chewy.com or another retailer) you may also have the items shipped to us. In this case, please have them shipped to your name (your first and last name) in care of: Humane Society Naples, 370 Airport-Pulling Road North, Naples, FL 34104.
    • You may ask FGCU permission to “table” on campus so you can spread the word about your Student Donation Drive. You could also ask your employer to allow you to spread the word about your Student Donation Drive at your place of employment. If you are a member of any clubs, you could make a presentation to your fellow members about your Student Donation Drive.
    • You may share our List of Items Needed with your network and have people purchase items online and have the items shipped to you at your address or have them shipped directly to us.
      • Again, once you collect all the items that people in your network will ship to you, you may bring them to our Main Shelter following the directions at the bottom of this page. If they have items shipped directly to us, please have them follow the directions above (shipping to your full name “in care of” Humane Society Naples.) Also, please have them share a copy of the receipts with you as you will need to list the items that were sent on your behalf on your Summary Form.
  5. Remember to send a thank you message when someone donates. (Sample thank you emails are included in the tab after List of Items Needed.)
  6. To receive service hours for this project you must document: a. all the activities you engage in to complete this project; b. the time (minutes/hours) you spend on these activities; and c. the date or range of dates you engage in these activities. Also, you must submit evidence of your activities via screenshots, photos, etc. (You would submit a screenshot of your GoFundMe page, an example of a social media post, an example of a thank you email to a donor, etc.)
    • Submit the HSN Summary Form, found in the tab below or to the left of these Instructions & Requirements, once you have completed your Student Donation Drive. Please note on your Summary Form all the information above related to the activities you engaged in, the time you spent and the dates you engaged in these activities. You will send the screenshots, photos, etc. as attachments to the Summary Form.
    • An example of the documentation for a Student Donation Drive can be found in the tab below or to the left of these Instructions & Requirements.
  7. AFTER SUBMITTING your Summary Form, please follow the directions below to deliver any items that you have not had shipped to Humane Society Naples main shelter, and ensure you you receive your service hours:
    • Deliver your items in a bag or box to our main shelter on the following days and times ONLY: Wednesday-Friday from 8:00am-4:00pm, Saturday-Sunday from 8:00-10;30am.
    • Include a sheet of paper in your bag/box of items that clearly notes your name, your email address and phone number, and the items you are delivering.
    • DO NOT place the items in our donation bins outside of the shelter.
    • Deliver your items directly to one of our Guest Services Representatives at our Front Desk, and ensure you ask the name of that person. If our front door is locked when you arrive, please call our main number 239-643-1555, press “0”, and tell the receptionist you are outside to complete a student donation delivery and you need to see one of our Guest Services Representatives.
    • DO NOT wait until the last minute to deliver your items. It may take up to one week to verify your service hours depending upon when we receive the link from the FGCU Eagle Service Network. Please plan accordingly based on the date by which you need to have your hours verified.
    • You are responsible for submitting your service hours to the FGCU Eagle Service Network immediately after you deliver your items to us so they can send us a link to verify your hours.

Student Donation Drive opportunity currently ONLY available for FGCU students.

We have a tremendous need for many of the items below in order to care for the homeless mother cats and hundreds of kittens whose lives we save throughout the year. Of course, we can always use dry dog food for our Pet Food Pantry, as well.

KMR ( Powder Kitten Milk Replacer)

Dry Cat Food (any brand)

Dry Dog Food (any brand)

Miracle Nipple Mini

Snuggle Safe Warming Disk (Pet Microwaveable Heating Pad)

Thermo-Pet Heated Pads

Pill Pockets for Dogs & Cats

Be sure to customize and personalize your messages to make them your own!

 

Sample Donation Request Email

Subject: I’m Doing a Donation Drive for the Animals!

Dear [NAME],

I am excited to announce that, as part of my volunteer service activities for school, I am launching my own Donation Drive for Humane Society Naples (HSN)! Helping homeless animals is very near and dear to my heart. I would really appreciate it if you would support me in helping these homeless animals.

One of the easiest ways to donate items is to purchase them online (i.e. from Amazon.com, Chewy.com or another retailer) and have them shipped directly to: [INSERT YOUR FULL NAME], in care of Humane Society Naples, 370 Airport-Pulling Road North, Naples, FL 34104. You may purchase any of the items on the List of Items Needed below.

If you do support my Donation Drive, please send me an email letting me know what item/s you purchased and from which retailer you had them sent. I will notify Humane Society Naples so that they know these items are in support of my Donation Drive.

If you want to learn more about HSN, please visit their website hsnaples.org. I hope you will consider donating and helping me to help the thousands of animals cared for by HSN every year.

List of Items Needed:  [INCLUDE LIST HERE]

Thank you so much!

[YOUR NAME]

 

Sample Thank You Email

Subject: Thank you for Supporting my Donation Drive for Humane Society Naples!

Dear [NAME],

I am so grateful for your support of my Donation Drive for Humane Society Naples (HSN)! Because of you and others who have participated, we have sent critical supplies to the shelter to enable HSN to continue its lifesaving work to rescue, heal, find adoptive homes and advocate for animals in need. Your donation will make a big difference in the lives of these animals. 

Thank you again for your generous contribution!

Yours truly, 

[YOUR NAME]

Activities

Planned Student Donation Drive

Set up GoFundMe page

Posted on personal social media

Created Flyer to promote Donation Drive

“Tabled” on FGCU Campus

Posted again on social media accounts

Follow up emails to potential donors

Purchased items online

Sent thank you messages to supporters

Completed Summary Form

TOTAL HOURS

Time Spent

1 hour

1 hour

1.5 hour

1 hour

2 hours

1 hour

2 hours

0.5 hours

1.5 hours

0.5 hours

12 hours

Date/s

9/15/21

9/16/21

9/16-17/21

9/23/21

9/18/21

9/30/21

10/01/21

10/07/21

10/10-15/21

10/20/21