How to Recycle Pet Toys
Rubber, plastic, and fabric toys for dogs and cats. Donation safety comes down to whether a toy can be fully washed and disinfected between uses, and shelter wish lists for toy types vary more by location than generic advice suggests.
Quick answer
Whether a used pet toy is safe to donate depends on whether it can be fully washed and disinfected before the next animal uses it, not just on how clean it looks today. Hard rubber and non-porous plastic toys usually pass that test; absorbent fabric or plush with exposed stuffing usually doesn't. West Paw's Join the Loop program regrinds worn Zogoflex and Seaflex toys into new ones by mail (100,000+ pounds recycled in 2023), and a PetSmart pilot in California, Oregon, Washington, and Arizona takes any brand of plastic or rubber toy in-store. Tennis balls, rope, and plush aren't included in that specific bin.
- Recyclable
- Yes
- Typical value
- No cash value; donation tax deduction typically $5-$30 per bag depending on quantity and condition
- 1Wash toys with pet-safe detergent, or run non-porous rubber and plastic toys through a dishwasher if the material allows it