The S.A.R.F.

Sidewalk Sale!Sunday, August 18, 10am-2pm The SARF Headquarters 2825 Hancock Dr. #111 Austin, TX Take a break from last-minute back-to-school shopping, and stop by our stuffy sidewalk sale on Sunday, August 18th from 10am-2pm. We’ll have tons of previously-loved stuffies [...]

Sidewalk Sale! Sunday, August 18, 10am-2pm

August 8, 2024

The Still Life III: Cherrywood CoffeehouseJuly 30 - September 8, 2024 1400 E 38th 1/2 St, Austin, TX 78722 Now through September 8, at Cherrywood (1400 E 38th 1/2 St, Austin, TX 78722), you can enjoy the latest work (and [...]

The Still Life III: Cherrywood Coffeehouse

July 30, 2024

Wayne Alan Brenner wrote a wonderful review of our 2023-2024 show, The Still Life II, in the Austin Chronicle. He did such a lovely write-up; we are eternally grateful. Read it here: https://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2024-03-22/visual-art-review-stuffed-animal-rescue-foundations-the-still-life/ Also, best wishes and farewell to Mr. […]

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Austin Chronicle Review: The Still Life II

March 23, 2024

Big Stuffed Animal Pharmaceutical Expo 2023!37th Street Lights Austin, TX | December, 2023 The International Stuffed Animal Pharmaceutical Expo is currently taking place at our 37th Street Lights stuffed animal petting zoo in Austin! Come by after dark until 11pm [...]

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Big Stuffed Animal Pharmaceutical Expo: Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo – 37TH Street Lights December 2023

December 8, 2023

The Still Life II: 10 Stuffed Artists & their WorkAustin Studio Tour - Stop #69 Saturday & Sunday November 11-12, 12-6pm The SARF Headquarters | November 2023 - April 2024 We’re a part of the Austin Studio Tour (WEST) this [...]

The Still Life II: Austin Studio Tour November 2023

November 2, 2023

Transcendental Basketry:A Web Series by Three Stuffed Spider ArtistsReally Small Museum (the 14th) Austin, TX | October, 2023 Transcendental Basketry is a collaboration between the Arachnid Artist Guild of Austin, the Odditree Society (Ann Armstrong and Linneaus Marshall), and The [...]

Really Small Museum: Transcendental Basketry

October 3, 2023

Stuffed Animal Adoption Day! Saturday April 29th 12-4pm at The SARF Headquarters 2825 Hancock Drive #111 Austin, TX 78731 Dogs, cats, dolphins, squirrels… You name it. Come meet rescued stuffies seeking permanent homes. They are eager to share their bios […]

Stuffed Animal Adoption Day!

August 3, 2023

Austin Studio Tour – #235 Nov. 12-13 & Nov. 19-20 12pm-4pmat Austin Creative Alliance – 81 San Marcos St. Austin, TXwith Vision Gland art collective We’ll be at 81 San Marcos St. Austin, TX (Austin Creative Alliance) for the next […]

SARF Food Truck – EAST Austin Studio Tour – #235

November 11, 2022

OPENING SATURDAY 10/27/22! 12-4PM! UP THROUGH NOVEMBER! Come see our rescued stuffed animals in all their costumed glory! There is an iguana dressed as a cupcake, a monkey dressed as a bunny… and much much more! Also, our Administrative Office […]

Frankenfluff!!

October 17, 2022

July 12, 2022 at 7pm! We will be at the Austin Fiber Artists Open House on July 12th, 7pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 4622 S. Lamar Blvd. Austin, TX! We’ll have some rescued stuffed animals up for adoption! More […]

Austin Fiber Artists Open House

July 7, 2022

Join us for our latest show, The Unbearable Lightness of Being Stuffed! Stuffed writers display original work plus new takes on old classics. Savor flash fiction, insightful essays and powerful poetry from some of the most talented stuffed authors of […]

The Unbearable Lightness of Being Stuffed

July 7, 2022

We had a lovely visit from KEYE CBSAustin, and they put together this great piece about The SARF! Video Here! @allisonmillertv @cbsaustin #makingadifference

KEYE CBSAustin!

May 6, 2022

Stuffed Animal Science Fair SATURDAY & SUNDAY MAY 7 & 8 12-4PM The SARF Headquarters 2825 Hancock Dr. #111, Austin, TX 78731 Ten rescued stuffed animals exhibit their science projects on a variety of topics, including a study in the […]

Come See Us This Weekend! 12-4pm!

May 6, 2022

RSVP (It’s free) April 9 & 10, 16, 24 May 7, 14 & 15, 21 & 22 12-4pm at The SARF Headquarters 2825 Hancock Dr. #111, Austin, TX 78731 Ten rescued stuffed animals exhibit their science projects on a variety […]

Stuffed Animal Science Fair RSVP!

April 6, 2022

New Frontiers: A Stuffed Animal Science Fair opens Sat. March 26, 2022 at The SARF Headquarters! It features exciting science experiments from some talented rescued stuffed animals! Come see their work and apply to adopt! Open: Saturday March 26, 2022 […]

Stuffed Animal Science Fair

March 20, 2022

Adoption Announcements Press Conference, Jan. 31, 2022

Stuffed Animal Adoptions Press Conference

January 31, 2022

It’s that time of year again… The 37th Street Petting Zoo is over, and we’re hard at work evaluating adoption applications. Announcements should come around the 31st! Austin is once again in Covid Stage 5, so we’ve been reluctant to […]

Updates from The SARF HQ

January 13, 2022

2825 Hancock Dr #111 Austin, TX 78731 After two very successful weekends during the WEST Austin Studio Tour, we’ve decided to keep the fun rolling. We will be open this weekend, Nov 20-21, as continued part of the Austin Studio […]

Visit our real-life headquarters! We will be open 11/20 & 11/21, 12-6PM!

November 18, 2021

We have been pretty dang busy for the last few months as we’ve been assembling The SARF’s Real Life Headquarters (2825 Hancock Dr. #111, Austin, TX 78731) from a whole bunch of recycled materials… so sometimes very awesome things fall […]

Thank you Fred and Remp’s Golf Pool!

November 17, 2021

Missing eyes? Torn neck? Frayed mouth stitching? Bring your injured stuffed animal, and we will diagnose and help you treat its ailments (and learn techniques for dealing with future injuries). Together, we will nurse your stuffed animal back to health! […]

Stuffed Animal Repair Workshop Sat. Dec. 4th!

November 17, 2021

2825 Hancock Dr #111 Austin, TX 78731 We will be open weekends Nov 6-21 as part of the Austin Studio Tour! Come tour The SARF’s administrative headquarters (staffed by our permanent stuffed residents), meet our stuffed artists in residence and […]

Visit our new real-life headquarters, opening Nov 6!!

November 4, 2021

The SARF Live (But Stuffed)! Episode 6

June 4, 2020

Episode 4. We discuss Beanie Babies, future SARF Headquarters, potentially-offensive lawn bags, and a bunch of other ‘stuff’.

The SARF Live (But Stuffed)! Episode 4

May 21, 2020

The SARF Live (But Stuffed)(But This Time Not Live!) Episode 3: Toast Interview: We had some technical difficulties with out broadcast last Thursday, so here is the full interview with Toast, our special guest!

The SARF Live (But Stuffed)(But This Time Not Live!) Episode 3: Toast Interview

May 14, 2020

The SARF Live (But Stuffed)! Join us for Episode 2!

The SARF Live (But Stuffed)! Join us for Episode 2

May 7, 2020

Join us here: https://www.facebook.com/thesarf Thursday April 30, 2020 at 7:30pm The SARF Live (but Stuffed)! On Facebook Live! Is your SA experiencing quarantine-related depression? Has your stuffed bear lost an eye? Is your favorite living animal fighting with your favorite […]

Tonight! The SARF Live (but Stuffed)! On Facebook Live!

April 30, 2020

These stuffed koalas are conjoined twins that were born separated. They are ready to undergo a groundbreaking surgery that will join them together as they were meant to be. Wendy Mitchell, M.D.S.A. discusses their journey and the details of the […]

Conjoined Stuffed Koalas Born Separated: Pre-Op

April 30, 2020

We are currently hard at work reviewing all of the applications from this year’s 37TH Street Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo! We received 372 paper applications and 50 online applications, so it might take a few weeks to make decisions! We […]

Processing Applications!

January 9, 2020

Here are some scenes from this year’s 37TH Street Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo / Science Fair. Photos courtesy of Mike Stefanik!

Science Fair Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo 2019!

December 12, 2019

Things have been hectic at The SARF lately. In addition to our typical therapy sessions, crafting classes, and various extracurricular activities, the SAs have been hard at work on some special research projects that they’ll be presenting at this year’s […]

37th Street Petting Zoo 2019, Austin, TX

November 18, 2019

Get ’em while they’re in stock! We have mens, womens, kids, and totes. Get them here!

New T-Shirts! And totes for sale on Etsy!

October 3, 2019

Tonight, from 4pm-8pm. It’s free! Come meet some available stuffed animals and fill out an application. Here more details: https://thinkeryaustin.org/community-programs/

Petting Zoo Tonight at Thinkery!

July 24, 2019

We’re in the middle of processing applications from last month’s petting zoo (and from online submissions). That’s why there aren’t any available SAs listed right now. We hope to send notifications by Monday! After that, we you will be able […]

We’re processing applications!

January 17, 2019

There’s a nice 37th Street Lights feature in the Austin Chronicle this week. Our friend Hoover looks pretty fierce in the photo! We promise he’s tamer than he looks. Read the article here. Thank you to all of the awesome […]

Austin Chronicle Feature! 37TH ST Lights!

January 3, 2019

37TH ST Petting Zoo is open 6pm-11pm now until December 22! Rescue: Greater Pine Bluff Wildlife Refuge, Rural Wyoming This year’s Rescued Stuffed Animals (RSAs) have been on a long journey of rehabilitation and self-discovery. Three years ago, we were […]

2018 Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo – 37TH ST – Austin, TX

December 10, 2018

Interested in becoming a SARF intern?

Internships at The SARF!

March 8, 2018

Rebeca Trejo from KVUE stopped by to talk about our 37TH ST Stuffed Animal Speed Dating Event!

KVUE Stuffed Animal Speed Dating Story!

January 18, 2018

We’ve been historically-awful social media-ers here at The SARF, but alas, we’re jumping in again with our new Instagram account. We held a vote among our current and permanent residents, and they decided that our first series will be about […]

Instagram…

June 7, 2017

Want to learn more about Stuffed Animal history? There is now a Stuffed Animal-Related Historical Audio Walking Tour of the North University Area of Austin, TX You’ll find it here: Stuffed Animal History Tour #izistory https://izi.travel/en/browse/de3bcf84-c8b5-435f-940c-d02ac072d3b2 And if you’re not […]

SA History: Audio Walking Tour

June 7, 2017

We have reinstated our SARF merch and have moved our store to Etsy! You can view/purchase The Stuffed Animal Rescue Foundation Merchandise here:
The SARF on Etsy

The SARF Shop Has Moved to Etsy!

May 30, 2017

Well, it’s that time of year again: the time when we apologize for our lack of activity and we lament our perpetually-unpaid intern’s lack of fingers typing inefficiencies and forth. So here goes. Yes, The SARF is still in business. […]

Are You Guys Still in Business, Or WHAT??

May 31, 2016

Historical Walking Tour / Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo 2016

December 16, 2016

Dear Friends,

It is once again the time of year when I mow down the tall, weed-laden pasture of excuses to reveal the lush green field of stuffed animal-related hi-jinx that’s been gasping for air underneath.

Today, it is with great joy and relief that I reveal to you a portion that pasty garden of creativity in the form of two projects, both of which require the help of YOUR eyeballs to beam metaphorical chlorophyll and sunshine in their directions to give them, symbolically speaking, the healthy tans they need to coax The SARF back from its extended hibernation.

Here they are:

1. There is now a(n) Historical Walking Tour of the North University Area, culminating in a visit to…

2. The Annual 37th Street Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo, 2016…

This morning, we have some very special guest writers helping out with our new batch of SAs! We’re here at Austin Bat Cave’s Animal Writing Camp (partnering with SmartKids). Campers are hard at work interviewing SAs and writing their bios. […]

Guest Writers from Austin Bat Cave!

June 15, 2016

We have made our adoption decisions and are notifying approved applicants. Thank you to everyone who applied. If you do not hear from us, please apply again. We get a WHOLE LOT of applications, and unfortunately we can’t award an […]

Thank You For Applying!

January 22, 2016

If you’re planning to apply to adopt any of our currently-available SAs, get your applications in before noon on Thursday, January 21! We’ll be making decisions that evening, and we’ll be sending out notifications shortly thereafter.

We’ll Be Making Adoption Decisions on Thursday, January 21!

January 19, 2016

Of course! Although Kelly’s stoicism during her tagging surgery did have me wondering… Perhaps it’s all the adrenaline, as she’s preparing for the trip to her new home, quite appropriately, across the pond. This morning, Kelly’s shipping out to meet […]

Do Stuffed Fish Have Feelings?

November 19, 2015

The SARF will have a spot at this year’s Blue Genie Art Bazaar Nov. 27th – Dec. 24th at the Marchesa Hall & Theatre. We will have many lovely SA-related gifts for sale, including the debut of our SA clothing […]

The SARF at Blue Genie Art Bazaar

November 18, 2015

Yes, yes… The SARF Spa isn’t accepting new patients, BUT we will be conducting a Stuffed Animal Fixit Clinic on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 — Noon to 3 p.m. at Recycled Reads (5335 Burnet Rd. Austin, TX)… so you can […]

Stuffed Animal Repair Fixit Clinic Saturday, Dec. 5

November 18, 2015

An Important SARF Spa Announcement!

November 18, 2015

Dear Friends! Due to overwhelming response, The SARF Spa is not accepting new patients at this time. We are temporarily disabling our repair estimate form while we catch up on our already-scheduled repairs. Our turnaround time is currently well over […]

Monkey Puff The SARF Creative Writing Class I The bear looked at me and said, “How are your preparations going?” “I’m not quite sure what you mean?” I replied. I was confused. He was a stranger and couldn’t have possibly […]

<em>My Personal Essay: A Monkey Forever</em>

October 29, 2015

[su_carousel source=”media: 4722,4721,4720″ limit=”3″ link=”lightbox” scroll=”0″ title=”no” arrows=”no” mousewheel=”no” autoplay=”0″][/su_carousel] This week, our new friend Monkey Puff finished up his visit to The SARF Spa. We stitched up a few fur wounds on his neck, chin, and… nether regions. We […]

Monkey Puff’s Spa Visit

October 29, 2015

Where have we been? Well, we’ve been on summer vacation! Our permanent and temporary SA residents have been spending some time traveling and lounging around in the sun. It’s been a much-needed break!

Summer Vacation…

July 29, 2015

We had a great time with the Austin Bat Cave Folks on Saturday! We heard awesome stories from some young Austin writers, watched some great bands, and met lots of cool people.

Austin Bat Cave Anthology Release Party / SARF Petting Zoo

May 11, 2015

Our brand new SARF t-shirts just arrived! They are awesome. Guelah, our permanent resident platypus, couldn’t resist trying one on, but unfortunately his neck (or lack thereof) didn’t quite cooperate. A few quick alterations should do the trick.

We have shirts!

December 7, 2013

We made this guy for the folks at Toybrary Austin. He’s their official logo bear come to life. We love him. They love him.

Toybrary Bear!

April 24, 2015

After months of silence on the controversial Common Core Initiative, The Stuffed Animal Rescue Foundation has issued an official statement regarding its stance on the polarizing proposal.

The Common Core Initiative

March 3, 2015

In celebration of the release of Austin Bat Cave‘s 2015 Anthology of kids’ writing (with, like, the best title ever: ARE YOU THERE GODZILLA? IT’S ME, MOTHRA), we will be having a Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo… Saturday, May 9, 3-7pm […]

Austin Bat Cave Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo May 9, 2015

April 24, 2015

Have you checked out our merch lately? We’ve added some snazzy new items, including our Stuffed Animal First Aid Kit™! It includes everything you need to handle any SA medical emergency.

Stuffed Animal First Aid Kit™ Anyone?

March 3, 2015

The SARF Spa is hoppin’ this week (metaphorically, of course, as Nurse Susan isn’t one for hopping. She’s much too busy tending to the needs of our patients)! We’re currently evaluating a beautiful vintage poodle, adjusting the gait of a […]

SARF Spa Update…

January 26, 2015

Gerald, our resident baker, and I will be at the Toybrary this Friday for the Teddy Bear Picnic! I’ll be reading/sharing a story about his life, his dough hook hand, and his quest for happiness on his journey toward baker-hood. […]

Join Us for a Teddy Bear Picnic at <em>Toybrary</em> This Friday

January 13, 2015

As you may know, we had an SA-napping during our 37TH Street Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo in Austin, TX a few weeks ago. We need your help! Please print this flyer and color it… then put it on a telephone […]

Help Us Find Benjamin!

January 8, 2015

We were thrilled to receive this update on Skimble from his adopter, Saloni. She adopted Skimble in January of 2012, after our December 2011 Petting Zoo on 37TH Street.

SA Update: Skimble (Adopted January 2012)

January 3, 2015

Hello SARFies! We hope you’re all having a wonderful vacation. We’re relaxing with family and getting ready for the new year. We have lots planned! Thank you to everyone who applied to adopt a rescued stuffed animal this year. We […]

SA Updates

Thank you applicants!

December 30, 2014

Kristin Finan wrote a great article in Austin American-Statesman about The Stuffed Animal Rescue Foundation and the petting zoo!

The SARF in The Statesman

December 22, 2014

Have you seen this stuffed animal?? He disappeared from 37th Street petting zoo sometime last night!! This has NEVER happened before. And we need him back!!! So sad! So many have applied to adopt him! This is not cool. Where […]

HELP! SA-napping (as in GONE, not sleeping)!!!

December 22, 2014

That’s right. One more. Monday. Be there.

SA Updates

Petting Zoo: One More Night

December 21, 2014

We had another great turnout for the Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo tonight. The application box was pretty full. We have a lot of decisions to make! We also got a lovely note from one of our neighbors! Thanks!

Sunday Night Fun

December 21, 2014

Uh-oh, I have a problem. I just have to be honest. I know we haven’t known each other for very long. And I know this is wrong. Very wrong! It goes against everything I’ve ever learned about doctor-patient relations, even […]

I love you, Felix

December 20, 2014

2014 37TH ST Petting Zoo Update!

December 15, 2014

Thank you to all the lovely folks who braved the drizzle last night to visit day two of this year’s Stuffed Animal Petting Zoo. The rain held off for a few hours before we had to call it a night. […]

It’s that time again! The 37TH ST Petting Zoo will be (ahem) “soft opening” tonight (Friday). We’ll probably still be setting up, but there will at least be animals wandering about (when picked up). It gets dark so early these […]

Petting Zoo 2014!

December 12, 2014

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SA Updates

2014 Petting Zoo on 37TH ST

December 25, 2014

Thank you for applying to adopt our last batch of rescued stuffed animals! We’re making decisions and notifying applicants. We’re also getting ready for our upcoming annual 37TH ST Petting Zoo in Austin, TX in December! We’ll have more SAs […]

Our Recent Group of SAs

November 18, 2014

Poor Gerald’s had a washing machine accident. Even sitting on stuffed toast doesn’t cheer him up Sitting on an egg blanket doesn’t help either! His right hand isn’t looking so hot First we’ll clean the wound. A tourniquet is helpful [...]

Gerald

November 5, 2014