Our first campaign of dinosaurs was a great success; we had 14 different dinosaur plushies made and donated a total of $10,000 to 14 different conservation groups! As our journey to bring overlooked animals into the light continues, your votes helped us pick the next group to bring recognition to. Millions of different species have been lost to time, and now we're branching out beyond our favorite scaly-feathery-toothy animals, and exploring some of the wonderful mammals, birds, and proto-animals that have existed across earth's millennia! From one of our earliest land-dwelling ancestors, famous ice age predators, and more recently vanished faces, this campaign aims to take a page from several major eras of the story of life on earth!

And so Varmintfeathers Plush Co. is launching its SECOND run of plush- extinct mammals (and some others)! These amazing creatures have been brought back to life in the form of adorable, soft plushies! These plush are the perfect intersection of realism and hugability with their high quality materials and strategically added weighted beads! For lovers of all plush SOS, Leosco, Unitoys, Douglas, and other popular collector’s brands, you’re sure to find something you like here!

 

The goal with these plushies is to give you a plush you might've gotten at the zoo after seeing these magnificent animals up close (in an alternate reality of course)! Most plush features coloring that resembles modern day animals living where these extinct ones roamed millions of years ago, while some have their real colors! Each plushie will also come with a unique neck tag with scientific facts about them!

 

Finally, 10% of sales from each plush will go to a conservation group supporting threatened animals in the region that that extinct animal used to live in! I have 12 different designs I’m hoping to get funded, and each design has its own conservation group that your pledges will be contributing to.

For those who are new here, Hi! I'm varmintfeathers! Creating stuffed animals is something I’ve been practicing from a very young age. I started by drawing two animals on paper, stapling them together, and stuffing them with cotton balls. It’s crazy to think that ten years of trial and error would lead me from two-dimensional paper animals to custom stuffed dinosaurs with a waitlist of eager commissioners.

The first thing I hand-sewed was a 3 foot “worm on a string” plush in October of 2019. The stitching was gnarly, there was sharpie visible along the seams, and he was stuffed hard as a rock – and yet, this plush inspired the next seven years of plushmaking.

In the winter of 2024, after creating a cute fluffy Allosaurus (bottom right ^), my plush-making style finally began to solidify. Soon after, I’d crafted the plush that would cause my profile to really gain interest, allow me to move out, and officially start the VarmintFeathers Plush Company!
My life size velociraptor;

I took every single measurement from a diagram of a velociraptor fossil, ensuring he was as realistic as possible while still capturing my signature semi-realistic plush style. I didn't know it when I finished him, but this guy was about to change my life. Now, I've taken dozens plush commissions since then with more people waiting excitedly to get their dream plushie made! You can see my portfolio and other plushies I've made here

So, why mass produce plushies?
Since my current business making handmade plush has been successful, it’s easy to question why I turned to manufactured plush.

As any freelancer knows, work can be inconsistent. While I have a lot of people on my waitlist, it would only be enough to keep me afloat for three to six months because I try to keep my prices as low as I can. My vision for unique, high quality, wonderfully floppy stuffed animals will become accessible to a lot more like-minded people, and I'll also be able to give back to the incredible creatures that inspire us all! Additionally, with my joint disorder slowly taking away my mobility, and painful bulging discs in my back, it’s become difficult to work full time at a day job; and it's just not worth it to me to trade my mobility for money.

For these reasons, I decided to take a gamble and try to get a real plush brand off the ground. The work would be much easier on my body, and I'd also have more time to handmake stuffed animals; so that side of things would grow too! It has been more challenging than ever, and also more rewarding. We have created a wonderful community around Varmintfeathers through collaborating with other artists and bringing attention to endangered animals. It has done nothing but inspire me to take this as far as I can; helping endangered animals and making dreams come true along the way.

As I’ve said; 10% of plush sales will go to 12 different conservation organizations that support endangered wildlife where each respective animal used to roam- but what exactly will your pledge be supporting? Find out below!

Endangered Wolf Center - supported by the Eohippus Plush

Despite assisting many wolf species, their main focus is the Mexican gray wolf; a highly threatened species residing in New Mexico. This organization has pioneered many things in their field; a short list including a AZA registered facility and sanctuary, an established breeding program, and even a pup fostering program!

The Rainforest Trust – supported by the Dodo plush

Madagascar is home to the highest number of endangered species in the world, and deforestation plays a massive part in that. How do we protect and preserve the wildlife of this beautiful island? Protect the forests first! 80-90% of Madagascar’s flora and fauna are found NO WHERE else on earth! And the rainforest trust works to make sure they stay protected; monitoring growth of trees, planting more, buying pieces of land to protect, and ensuring the environment is kept as safe as possible!

The Finch Research Network – supported by the Megaloceros plush

There are over 50 species of bird endangered in the country of Ireland, this is approximately 25% of all species of fowl in the entire country. Since before its conception, The founders of the finch network have facilitated bird repopulation, habitat protection, education, and health monitoring in these endangered bird species and bringing them back from the red list!

Founded in 2006, Panthera has worked closely with their team of data scientists, biologists, law enforcement, and wildcat advocates to research, protect, and establish conservation strategies. They have helped recover and preserve big cat populations from habitat loss, illegal wildlife trades, and poaching with focus on the seven most targeted cat groups; cheetahs, jaguars, leopards, lions, pumas, snow leopards, and tigers.

Through working with lawmakers, the USFWS has been able to pass many acts alongside Texas farmers and ranchers to promote the welfare of the ocelot! By persevering land, facilitating breeding and release operations, and creating reservations to study behaviors, the numbers have already rose and can continue to do so!

The Forever Yellowstone bison transfer program has worked since the early 1900s breeding, relocating, and monitoring this iconic American species! They have been ensuring the population grows at a steady, healthy rate, and helping repair the damage done by early American settlers. Today over 600 bison and their calves have been successfully relocated and they continue to help the population grow and diversify.

Pangolin Research and Conservation Foundation – supported by the Quagga plush 

The world’s most trafficked animal as of 2025 is the pangolin. The Pangolin Conservation and Research Foundation is making efforts to reverse that damage. By employing pangolin guardians, gathering local support, tagging and monitoring specific residents, and closing knowledge gaps this organization has worked to grow populations and protect the species. 

100 million sharks are estimated to be killed every single year. Overfishing is one of the highest threats to this species. Officially established in 2016, the shark conservation fund has been working rapidly with scientists, local communities, and investors to push change for sharks and rays across our world’s oceans. A lot of their work is pushing bills and regulations to reduce hunting/fishing these incredible creatures.

Koalas are one of the most iconic Australian species and yet they are one of the most highly threatened species in the continent. Why? The koala relies on a single source for 100% of its food and water intake; the eucalyptus tree, which is slowly becoming more and more difficult to find. And they are not the only species suffering. Since 2024, the Australian Wildlife Conservancy began working fast to heal Australia’s iconic species with habitat restoration and protection, koala rescue, veterinary care, and advocacy. Support for this charity goes directly to wildfire mitigation, habitat rebuilding, and hospital care of sick, injured, and orphaned koalas!

Frog species are one of the most rapidly declining populations across the entirety of South America; invasive species, deforestation, and pollution of waterways being amongst the biggest reasons for this decline. Since 2008, Save the Frogs has worked in empowering local communities to create protected habitats, and push legislation to protect and preserve these delicate and crucial species!

Formed in 2018, the Dhole Conservation Fund works towards Dhole and human coexistence by establishing education and lesson plans! By understanding the species, what threats they face, and where they face them, communities can work towards a safe coexistence through awareness! They also help raise funds for partner organizations that work directly alongside Dholes in their native ranges.

Established in 2020, For the Love of Bears works with photographers, scientists, and conservation researchers to spread awareness for the beauty of the bear species and how communities can coexist happily and safely for both, together. They do a lot of community outreach and education, as well as planning and hosting events centered around bear conservation.

Education and Conservation Specialist - @practicallyfossilized

Acrylic Keychain Artist - @dopscratch
Bonus Reward Keychain Artist - @malthaus

Community Outreach Coordinator - @arctillic

Photography - @arctillic

Editor - @arctillic