During the festive season, the 37th Street Lights event features a unique petting zoo where stuffed animals are available for adoption through a creative exchange. Located down a driveway, this annual holiday event showcases extravagant decorations and eccentric displays that exemplify Austin’s distinctive charm.
At the petting zoo, around 30 stuffed animals await new homes beneath a tent adorned with green string lights. Each animal comes with a price tag that does not indicate a monetary value but rather outlines a specific task that potential adopters must complete.
Wendy Mitchell, founder and chief operating officer of the Stuffed Animal Rescue Foundation, explains, “People can adopt a stuffed animal, but not with cash. Instead, they must fulfill the task linked to it.”
For example, a young girl named Ila can adopt a dolphin by drawing a picture of a cloud, while another child, Nina, can take home a pink crocodile if she sketches what she imagines her Amazon driver’s breakfast to be. Gus is tasked with asking a veteran about their first enlistment station in exchange for an octopus, and Karis must find someone younger than herself to inquire about their best friend’s name in order to adopt a stuffed bear.
Once the tasks are completed, adopters must describe their experiences on a postcard and send it to Mitchell as verification. In return, they receive official adoption papers, which include a certificate indicating that they rescued an animal from a no-kill shelter.
Within the first hour of the event, all available stuffed animals are adopted, prompting Mitchell to restock the crates.
Mitchell’s passion for repairing stuffed animals stems from childhood memories of her father performing surgery on her beloved teddy bear. Initially, she collected injured toys from thrift stores, noting that common injuries include missing eyes caused by dog interactions and neck damage from younger companions.
As word spread about her repair skills, people began leaving their stuffed animals at her doorstep, creating a unique adoption system where she matched them with loving homes.
Having moved to 37th Street over a decade ago, Mitchell became involved in the local holiday tradition. In 2010, she launched her petting zoo, initially allowing people to apply for adoption. This year, she opted for a new approach, offering the stuffed animals in exchange for creative tasks.
Mitchell is uncertain whether people will follow through with her requirements, but she remains optimistic, believing that the fun aspect will motivate them to comply. Regardless, she acknowledges that the stuffed animal population has become overwhelming, prompting her to find ways to reduce their numbers.
Inside the Stuffed Animal Rescue Foundation’s headquarters, a variety of supplies, including fabric and replacement parts, line the shelves. Mitchell has recently relocated her operation to a shed, where she is currently organizing her materials.
Due to the influx of repairs, she has paused accepting new animals, stating, “I didn’t intend for it to become so extensive, but it just grew out of control.”
One of her ongoing projects involves surgically reuniting a pair of koalas that had been separated and previously used as slippers. After removing an unnecessary padded growth, she performed reconstructive surgery to restore their form.
Mitchell collaborates with clients to find suitable solutions for their stuffed animals, balancing personal perfection with the individual preferences of the owners. She observes that the quality of stuffed toys has declined significantly, leading to an overpopulation issue.
Her ultimate goal is to curb the production and purchase of stuffed animals, echoing a famous phrase about the importance of responsible pet ownership. Mitchell aims to restore the specialness of stuffed animals, ensuring they are cherished rather than forgotten.
