We have a situation over here.
As you may have picked up by now, I’m obsessed with organization. I like things to be neat, clean, and orderly. My label maker is one of my most prized possessions, and don’t even get me started on the beauty of my planner…
But yesterday, as I was attempting to locate Cortisone for Emmett’s feet, I had a realization: Our pet care stuff is a MESS! How could I let this happen?
In our Indiana house, we had a ton of storage space for dog stuff. We had a pantry that had shelves and drawers to cram it all in. Our Louisiana rental, while huge (and haunted.) has very little storage space. And, as a totally honest caveat, we have a LOT of frivolous pet stuff. I mean, if you consider a cape frivolous. Or holiday-appropriate bandanas. Or winter boots.
I digress…
So! I’ve decided to undertake Project Pet Care Organization!
I’m going to share what I do to streamline our stuff and make pet care more accessible. I have five goals:
- eliminate and donate excess
- put everything away so that it’s easily accessible
- finalize our preparedness plans (first aid kit, hurricane kit, and so on)
- get their health care stuff organized
- create a plan for training (both a schedule and the physical equipment)
My overarching goal, though, is to do it all without spending a dime! I’ll share my progress as I go, and if I stumble upon any great tips, I’ll be sure to pass them along!
In the meantime, I always think organization projects should start with an inventory, so here’s where we’re starting from (I shudder to think these pics are going to be out there on the internet, but I felt like this was the most honest way to start!).
We keep their bowls, Newt’s cans of cat food, daily medications, and the odd bag of treats in this cabinet:
But their bags of food are in this other cabinet:
And then all the “stuff” is crammed into these drawers (toys, treats, monthly meds, grooming supplies, random first aid stuff, the works):
Our closet is half stuffed with their coats, sweaters, and – yes – costumes:
And if that isn’t enough, here’s this random box in our storage room filled with cones, a cape, and odds and ends:
Sigh. Then their healthcare stuff (I’m dreading this task):
And all that excludes their part of our hurricane box, which is supposed to be hurricane backpacks for evacuation:
Not pictured: Their toy box in the living room, the rack of leashes and harnesses hanging by the side door, Newt’s toys in the big room, the stuff actually in Newt’s room (more toys, litter stuff, etc.), and their stuff in the garage (crate, hula hoop – yep – and bath towels).
Well, that’s it. (HA! “it”) That’s where I’m starting from. Project Pet Care Organization is officially underway. To be reasonable, I plan to tackle one goal per week, and I’ll let you know how it’s going.
Tell me: Do you have all your pet care stuff organized and together? Is it scattered everywhere like our stuff? Do you need to join me in this undertaking?!?! (Come on! Join me!! If you start this week, start with a simple inventory! You can do it!)
This sounds like a great plan! I LOVE organizing, once I can get up enough gumption to actually do it! Pyrrha’s stuff is mostly under control, but things get crazy when we have fosters here… I can imagine our stuff would be sprawling if we actually had three dogs! Good luck, and I look forward to reading more about your solutions.
Thanks, Abby! And I’m so glad I’m not the only one who loves organizing!! 🙂
Our dog stuff is all over the house. I hate to organize but I love to be organized if that makes sense. You have inspired me to make the effort to organize everything. We have a lot of space, but that just means everything is in different cabinets and drawers in several rooms. Thanks for the push…
That makes total sense. I’m so glad to have inspired you, and I can’t wait to hear about your progress!! It sounds like we’re facing the same problem… lots of stuff spread out all over the place. I’m really hoping to consolidate. This afternoon is my first big push, so we’ll see how it goes!
My recent move has made it PAINFULLY CLEAR that I need a better system for going through and eliminating things. The only problem is that I have no clue what I would eliminate. I mean, it’s *all* essentials: funny hats, dog bunny slippers, holiday props…we need those things.
That is EXACTLY how I feel!! At least as far as dog stuff… my stuff I can cut down without thinking twice. Theirs? It’s another story. Let me know if you tackle a solution!!
Oh boy, I wish our stuff was organized. I think just about every room in the house has a gathering of different pet stuff. I SO need to organize it! We recently got rid of one cabinet that had a bunch of their stuff in it, and now that stuff is all in a box and the new cabinet is still empty, until I sort through that box. I need more time to psych myself up for a project of that magnitude. 🙂
You can do it!! Go, Jan, go!! 🙂
SERIOUSLY?!? This is already so organized! Says the severely ADD girl.
Hey – I’ll be in Louisiana the week of Halloween. From that Monday to that Friday. Any way we can do lunch, say Thursday or Friday? Even Saturday would work. Halfway between you and Baton Rouge? I’m bringing dog treats. 😉
YES! That would be great! Emmett has a vet appointment on Friday, Nov 1, but Thursday is totally free for me!
Pop me an email? I’ll look at Thursday and work toward it. fleabyte@gmail.com