Rice Bags for Spay Clinics

Rice bags are used at the spay/neuter clinic. They are warmed in a microwave and used to keep the cats warm as they recover from the anesthesia, which makes their temp go down to 98 degrees or lower. They stay in the traps until the trapper moves the cat to a cage or releases it. These are basically single use items so the fabric does not need to be fancy just sturdy cotton or fabric you want to get rid of. For a small clinic of 50 cats 60 bags would be needed. For a more normal clinic of 75 cats they would need 85. I know it's a lot, but it really does keep the cats warmer when they most need warmth. The warmth also helps them wake up faster.

Supplies:
Cotton fabric-flannel, calico, poly cotton OK. Fabric cannot have any metallic in the weave as these go into the microwave.
Rice-1½ cups for each bag
Thread
Sewing Machine

1. Cut Fabric into 11x8” rectangles

2. Fold in half

lengthwise and stitch ¼” seam on 2 sides, leave one short side open. Remember to backstitch at start and finish. Turn right side out.

3. Fill about 2/3 full with rice, aprox. 1 1/2 cups, place a long pin to hold the rice to the bottom of the bag




4. Fold under top edge and securely stitch top. Remove pin and you are done.






Finished bags will go back to the shelter to be stored with the supplies for the clinics. Let me now how many you finish so I can let the clinic coordinator know.