Muffin Tin Magic
Tuck treats into a few cups of a muffin tin and cover them with clean tennis balls. Then let that busy nose and those clever paws do the rest.
DonateBeyond Fetch
Every tennis ball deserves another throw.
Play It Forward gives donated tennis balls another life with Florida shelters and rescues. Some look nearly new. Some have clearly been loved. They are unwashed, they are free, and they are never sold. Approved recipients pay only the actual shipping cost.
How this started
Hundreds of second chances every month.
Jeremy, the Director of Tennis at Interlachen Country Club, hoped the tennis balls used by the club could be reused in a meaningful way instead of being thrown away. His girlfriend, Kelli, thought of Spoil A Stray, and that thoughtful connection became Play It Forward.
Now hundreds of tennis balls come to us each month, and each box we mail holds about fifteen pounds. Some of the balls look nearly new. Others are worn, dirty, unwashed, and well loved. They do not have to look perfect to make a shelter dog's afternoon.
Thank you, Jeremy, Kelli, and Interlachen Country Club, for helping us turn something ordinary into something joyful.
Please play safely
Every recipient checks before play.
We do not individually inspect or wash every ball. Before giving a ball to a dog, recipients must inspect it, discard any ball that is cracked, split, or heavily worn, and wash it if they prefer. Supervise play and do not give tennis balls to aggressive chewers.
Request Tennis BallsBeyond fetch
Fetch is only one game in town.
Some dogs retrieve. Some dogs sniff. Some dogs supervise from the couch. Some grab the ball and make up the rules as they go. Perfect. Beyond Fetch is for all of them.
Ball Pit Treasure Hunt
Fill a shallow box or tub with tennis balls and hide a favorite toy or a few treats inside. Sniffing, digging, and dramatic victory dances are all encouraged.
Roll It My Way
Roll a ball slowly across the floor or yard. Your dog can chase it, pounce on it, herd it, or stare at you like you have completely missed the point.
Hide and Sniff
Let your dog watch you hide a ball in an easy spot, then ask them to find it. Make the hiding places trickier once they become a professional detective.
Tennis Ball Bowling
Stand up a few empty plastic cups and roll a ball toward them. Your dog can help knock them down, chase the runaway ball, or simply enjoy the commotion.
Goal!
Make a wide goal with two safe household objects and encourage your dog to nudge the ball through with their nose or paw. Cheering is required. Keeping score is not.
Basket Drop
Teach your dog to carry a ball to a low basket and drop it in. It is a game, a little brain workout, and possibly the only time they will help clean up.
Choose Your Ball
Set out two or three clean balls and let your dog pick the winner. Hide a treat beneath one, switch their positions, and see whether that nose can find it again.
Whatever game wins the day, use an inspected, intact ball and stay close while your dog plays.
Your dog probably has opinions
Did they invent a better game?
Send us the game, tell us how it works, and include a photo if you would like. With your permission, your dog's brilliant idea may become the next game shared by Spoil A Stray.
Send Us Your GameSend a box of happy
Put the fun exactly where you want it.
Help a box of well loved tennis balls find dogs who know exactly what to do with them.
Have a box shipped to you
Florida shelters and rescues can request a box weighing about fifteen pounds. The balls are free. You cover the actual shipping.
Request a boxSurprise a facility
Name a Florida shelter or rescue you would love to surprise, or let us choose one that could use an unexpected delivery of joy.
Plan a surpriseSend joy to a small town
Earmark your gift for Play It Forward Rural Outreach and we can help boxes reach small towns and rural communities that are often overlooked.
Earmark a donationAfter donating, email forms@spoilastray.com so we know whether your gift is for a specific facility or for rural outreach.
Have tennis balls to share?
Help another box begin its second life.
Tennis clubs and community donors can contact us at forms@spoilastray.com to ask about donating used tennis balls.