Ways2Raise

What is it?

Making and selling fleece pet accessories is a brilliant no-sew craft fundraiser. Fleece fabric does not fray when cut, which means you can create a wide range of products — cage liners for guinea pigs and rabbits, pet blankets, cat toys, and dog bandanas — without any sewing skills. The pet accessories market is huge and growing, and pet owners are always looking for affordable, high-quality products for their animals.

What you need

Fleece fabric in a variety of colours and patterns (buy in bulk from a fabric shop or online — approximately £3–£5 per metre)
Fabric scissors
A ruler and fabric marker for measuring and cutting
Optional: a sewing machine for more complex products

Step-by-step plan

Choose your product range. Cage liners for guinea pigs and rabbits are the most popular and easiest to make — they are simply rectangles of fleece cut to size.

Research standard cage sizes for guinea pigs, rabbits, and other small animals to ensure your liners fit correctly.

Cut your fleece to the correct sizes. For a standard guinea pig cage (120cm x 60cm), cut a piece of fleece to 130cm x 70cm to allow for a folded edge.

For cage liners, fold the edges under by 5cm and secure with fabric glue or a few hand stitches.

For cat toys, cut a strip of fleece 30cm x 5cm and tie it in a knot — cats love the texture and movement.

Photograph your products and sell them on Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, or at local pet shows and markets. Price cage liners at £5–£12 depending on size.

How to advertise it

Post photos of your products in local pet owner Facebook groups
Sell at local pet shows and fetes
List your products on Etsy and Facebook Marketplace
Ask local pet shops if they will stock your products
Post photos of your products being used by real pets on Instagram

Realistic earnings

If you make 20 cage liners at a cost of £2 each (£40 total) and sell them at £8 each, you raise £160 with a profit of £120. Personalised liners with the pet's name can sell for £10–£15 each.

Top tips

✅ Join guinea pig and rabbit owner Facebook groups — they are an enormous market for cage liners

✅ Offer custom sizes for unusual cages — many pet owners struggle to find liners that fit their specific cage

✅ Use absorbent fleece (look for "anti-pill" fleece) for cage liners — it is more durable and easier to wash

✅ Offer a "starter pack" of 2 liners for a slight discount — buyers need at least 2 to allow for washing

Common mistakes to avoid

⚠️ Using thin, cheap fleece that pills and wears out quickly

⚠️ Not measuring cage sizes accurately — liners that don't fit are useless to buyers

⚠️ Not photographing your products with real animals — photos with pets get far more engagement on social media

⚠️ Forgetting to mention that your products are machine washable — this is a key selling point for pet owners