Caring through craft: One artist’s gift to SPCA

SPCA’s community is made up of many incredible volunteers who donate their time to ensure that our animals receive the best possible care. There are many ways to join them – by volunteering at our Centres, starting your own fundraiser, or finding your own creative ways to provide for animals around the country.

One such volunteer is Jay, who took the latter approach. An artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau, Jay runs the Instagram craft account @IHaveAStitch, where they create handmade art pieces while recycling, re-using, and repurposing as many materials as they can. An SPCA adopter, they know firsthand how important a comfortable, cozy environment is for animals – and began incorporating SPCA crafts into their creative routine!

Jay took the time to tell us a bit about their work, their connection to SPCA, and how others can follow in their crafty footsteps. Read on to meet them!

I run a craft account on Instagram called I Have a Stitch, where I create art and handmade pieces from a variety of mediums, recycling/re-using/repurposing as many materials as I can. In between projects (or during procrastination breaks!) I have always enjoyed having a slower, singular piece of knitting or crochet on the go that doesn’t require as much planning. When I discovered that SPCA accepts donations of handmade blankets for rescue animals, it became the perfect thing to fill that empty space!

I have always loved animals. My best friend growing up was my sweet boy Oliver, who unfortunately passed away in April of last year at the youthful age of 15. My partner and I had been talking about getting a cat of our own for a while, and after some time, decided to visit our local SPCA. The attendants and volunteers there were so wonderful and sweet; they spent a whole afternoon introducing us to the then-adoptable kitties and giving us a thorough insight into the adoption process. We intended to visit again a month or so after returning, but the universe clearly had another plan for us.

Three days after our trip, my partner saw a picture of a darling, quiet lad who was available for adoption, and spontaneously booked us in for “just a look” the next day. That’s how we met Baldur (Mr. Baldur Button)! He stole our hearts with his soft eyes and huge purrs from the first few pats.

To my right, on the other hand, was a small, absolutely chaotic creature – Persephone, a girl hellbent on freedom. She was standing with her paws against the glass, maintaining eye contact, and screaming. I truly had no choice. We brought her out and immediately the meowing stopped, and she climbed straight onto my partner’s shoulder and settled in. It was bizarre.

With both cats out and somewhat relaxed, we decided to see how they would react to each other, hesitantly holding them closer as they sniffed each other's noses and…there was nothing. No hissing, no clawing to get away, no unimaginable, evolutionary terror. Just acceptance. From there they became the best of friends.

Baldur thinks Persephone is the best thing since sliced bread and will follow her to the ends of the earth (or, at least, tries to stop her from committing crimes from a safe distance). I can’t imagine a life without them, and I couldn’t think of anything our wonderful SPCA could have done to make the process any easier or approachable for first-time pet parents.

When our cats first came home with us, they had their own handmade knitted blanket and mice, and a small soft toy each. These possessions were essential in getting them comfortable and acclimated to their environment, showing that the space was theirs – having a familiar, cozy piece of bedding that already had their scent made the transition so much easier for them.

They are still among their prized possessions, and the few times we’ve had to do vet stays or introductions to new furniture, those blankets are our go-to. Seeing how special they are, and the immeasurable positive impact they have on their mental wellbeing, is amazing – and the idea that I can make that impact on other cats through my work means the world.

After doing a few markets and having some brilliant chats with other pet-loving vendors and customers, I figured having something at my stall that could help fundraise for supplies could only be a positive! The doodle for the Yarn Cat print already existed in a more basic form, and lino-carving was still very new to me, so the entire idea was very much considered a trial to see if anyone would even be interested. Now, it is one of my best-selling pieces, and the process of creating more is one of the most enjoyable parts of my market prep routine!

My local SPCA is currently undergoing renovation until early 2025, so I have a small pile of cat blankets accruing in my craft room (which MY cats keep trying to claim! As if they don’t have enough!) and with every print sold, the pile gets taller. It is a wonderful sight, and very satisfying daydreaming about which wonderful cat will end up with each one eventually.

I could not recommend doing something like this enough, whether you already have crafty know-how or need a simple project to help you learn and practice basic stitches. Projects like this really don’t need to be complicated – personally, I’ve never met a cat with a preference (though I would love to)! The blankets I make are just large rectangles that vary in size as I try to use up the yarn I have available, and I tend to use a simple garter stitch, or stockinette if I’m feeling fancy. A cat blanket or small cat toys are perfect projects to clear out scrap yarn and make a mystery fur friend very happy.

Volunteers like Jay are a key part of what we do, and we’re so grateful for their love, care, and dedication. If you’re interested in making your own crafts this holiday season, check out our site for ideas and tutorials. Happy making!