The Settler

Issue date: 3/23/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Amber Bond Ginnie Donaldson is a Vol State student who has invented her own pet product. She came up with the idea of a Catch a Mess bird cover after taking care of her own parakeet. Her idea is patented and has received a lot of attention. She came back to school to study business.

Student Ginnie Donaldson, 50, has big dreams for her future. Having already patented her invention called "Catch a Mess," Donaldson is back in school for business and economics.

Catch a Mess is a birdcage cover that catches seed hulls, feathers and anything else that a bird will flap out of its cage.
The idea came to Donaldson about six years ago while taking care of her parakeet.

"It would flap out seeds and such and make a huge mess; nothing I tried was efficient enough," said Donaldson. So she wrapped mesh material around the entire cage and there sparked her idea for Catch a Mess.

"I called my neighbor, a seamstress, and she helped me put it together. I can't sew, so her talent and my vision came together to create the product," said Donaldson.

Catch a Mess evolved from basic mesh covering to a tulle exterior with a decorative bottom. Catch a Mess even has an opening in the front to feed the birds through. The tulle exterior serves as a security for the birds.

"Birds like trees, they calm them," said Donaldson. "When placed over the cage, Catch a Mess quiets them down immediately, and gives them a sense of security."

"Catch a Mess is a great invention," said student Matt Carter. "I think it's a really good idea for bird owners."

The American Pet Products Association, is a manufacturing company that has an international show once a year for manufacturers to come and view new inventions and look for products to sell in their stores. Donaldson decided to give her creation a shot.

"That was four years ago, and I had no clue what I was doing," said Donaldson. "There was a lot of interest at the show, but no one wanted to manufacture my product."

So, she decided to come back to school to learn what it takes to make it in the business world. Now in her third year at Volunteer State Community College, Donaldson feels like she is in the beginning steps of starting her business.

"It sounds like a great idea, I hope she finds success," said student Jesse Smith.
If anyone wants to learn more, visit her website at www.catchamessbirdcagecovers.com.

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