The Chronic Critters are soft, cuddly plushies designed to celebrate and support those with disabilities and chronic illnesses like POTS, EDS, Autism, Anxiety, Type 1 Diabetes, PCOS, Cystic Fibrosis, and more!
If you’re new to Backerkit, this is essential reading. And if you’re already familiar, it’s still a good idea to read this to clarify what to expect from our campaign!
As with all crowdfunding campaigns, you should be aware of the following:
If the project is not successfully funded, you will not be charged. Your money is not taken from your payment method until the project ends AND is successfully funded.
These plushies will not be ready to ship for at least 3-4 months after the campaign ends. They are going to be made once the funds reach our bank accounts.
Respectful Communication: We value a positive environment! Rude messages or harassment will not be tolerated, and we reserve the right to cancel your order if this occurs.
Non-USA residents: you are responsible for any and all customs and/or importation fees. This includes VAT for UK residents. We are not responsible for returned parcels due to a refusal to pay these fees.
Refunds and cancellations will not be accepted once the campaign ends and the funds are collected from your payment method. Please only back our project if you are financially stable enough to spare the funds once the campaign ends. Backing and then retracting your pledge can be very disheartening for creators and can impact our funding goals for unlocking certain characters.
IF YOUR PLEDGE IS SUCCESSFULLY COLLECTED AT THE END OF THE CAMPAIGN, IT WILL BE ASSUMED THAT YOU HAVE FULLY READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND ACCEPTED THE ABOVE RISKS, CONDITIONS, POLICIES AND ESTIMATED TIMELINES
Nestled between two majestic mountains, Cuddle Cove is a cozy and whimsical sanctuary — home to the Chronic Critters. To reach Cuddle Cove, one must first discover a secret pathway that appears only during twilight. This path is lined with soft, glowing flowers that light up as you approach, guiding the way. Once you pass under an archway made of intertwining flowers and vines...you are greeted by warmth and joy from plushies with wide open arms.
Please feel free to spread the word about this campaign! That way, we have chances of unlocking as many designs possible and even get all of you some super cool add-ons! 💕💪
Meet the Critters! Each Chronic Critter has their very own story and struggles. In their safe and supportive community, Cuddle Cove, they can embrace their unique hobbies and experiences.
For the first 48 hours of the campaign, you can pledge for Early Bird pledge levels! These will secure you a special, discounted price, plus a special freebie sticker of the Critter you choose! These stickers will be 3.5" roughly in height, and will be a soft matte finish!
These stickers will NOT be available after the first 48 hours. They will be only be for Early Bird Backers.We will most likely add them as an add-on for Series 2 though!
💡 Did you know most of a campaign's pledges are made during the first 48 hours? Participate in the launch party and pledge within the first 48 hours of the campaign to receive an exclusive reward and for a chance to snag an Early Bird Slot!
If we meet our initial goal, several more Chronic Critters are waiting to join Cuddle Cove! Backer's Choice goals will also include a poll determining who we unlock next, so be sure to check out the community tab and cast your vote!
As we hit more goals, new Critter designs will be unlocked! Even if the character you’re eyeing isn’t available yet, your pledge brings us closer to unlocking them. Not only does your support help fund production, but it also helps you secure all the plushies you want!
This will be roughly 3" in size and made out of glitter acrylic! The illustrations are artwork of the characters done by Law and we will be adding more of the finished designs throughout the campaign!
Soft Matte Vinyl Character Sticker
Soft matte vinyl stickers featuring an illustration of each character. The illustrations are artwork of the characters done by Law and we will be adding more of the finished designs throughout the campaign!
KEEP READING TO SEE OUR CHARITY STICKER SHEET DESIGN! THAT WILL ALSO BE AN ADD ON! :D
While most of the funds from this campaign will be going towards manufacturing these plushies, the profit will then be split evenly, with 50% of funds going towards the fundraising of Jojo's service dog prospect!
Even with all of this, we wanted to add a little something extra to give back to the community! With multiple guest artists commissioned, we have put together a service dog themed sticker sheet! This is also great for those who can't necessarily splurge on a higher cost plushie, but still want to support our campaign! 50% of the profits from this specific sticker sheet will be going to an organization that helps train service dogs for disabled folks!
Coastal Service Dogs (CSD) was founded by a group of disabled women, each with a service dog. We’ve experienced firsthand the profound impact a well-trained service dog can have on independence, confidence, and quality of life. However, we’ve also seen the challenges: limited access to quality training, overwhelming costs, and a lack of support for owner-trainers. We started Coastal Service Dogs with a mission: to create a service dog training program that empowers handlers. Our goal has always been to provide the knowledge, guidance, and support needed to help individuals successfully train their service dogs.
As we’ve grown, we’ve found our passion in our owner-assisted training program, making high-quality service dog training more accessible and affordable. We believe that every handler deserves the tools to build a strong, working partnership with their dog—one based on trust, reliability, and real-world skills. At Coastal Service Dogs, we’re more than trainers. We’re a community of handlers, advocates, and professionals dedicated to supporting service dog teams at every stage of their journey.
All critters will contain weighted beads in their feet, paws, and bum
They will all have a unique-to-them "cutie mark" on their bum
They will all have a velcro opening on their backs that will contain a heat pack that will be microwaveable
♡ How large will they be?
Each critter will be 18" tall, similar to a larger BAB plushie
♡ Sleepy Service Puppies
Sleepy Service Puppies will essentially be laying floppy versions of the Critters. They are weighted in all the same places with the same material, and they will also have a velcro opening on their tummy for the warmable heat pack!
They will be roughly 18" similar to the Critters!
Instead of a cutie mark, the Sleepy Service Puppies will have a service vest
♡ What materials are the critters made of?
All plushies will be a mix of “Bunny Hair” and “Mochi Minky” fabrics! Both fabrics, as well as stuffing, are made of 100% Polyester! Bunny hair is a soft and fluffy, but short fur, and mochi minky is the same material used for squishmallows!!
♡ What materials are the heat packs?
The weighted beads in the plushies are plastic, however the heat packs contain “medical stones” which are small round stones made out of a silicate mineral!
These heat packs will contain NO added scents, herbs/florals, etc. to help prevent any migraine triggers, allergic reactions, sensory issues, and other negative reactions to scented heat packs!!
During the campaign, the first 3 plushies, and 1 service puppy prototype will be finishing up. Please make note of the end date, as surveys for what item you would like will be sent out shortly after and your card will be charged
⚙️ Surveys & More Prototyping: April - May
While surveys are being sent out and responded to, we will work on any remaining prototypes! A prototype will be started as soon as possible after that particular plush gets funded
🦺 Safety Testing & Production: June - September
After all the surveys are returned and the campaign funds release we will begin safety testing and production! Depending on the volume of plush to be ordered, this period of time can take up to 4 months
🚢 Plush Transport Overseas to America: September - October
Once production is complete the plush will ship to either Law or Jojo. Large shipments from overseas typically take 1-2 months to arrive
✅ Receive Plush & Complete Quality Checks: Early November
Once we receive the plush we will proceed to grade the plushies. This may cause an initial sense of delay, but we greatly value the quality of the plush you receive! Depending on the volume of plush, this may take a few weeks to process
📦 Shipping Plush to Backers: Late November - January 2026
The time we will start shipping out your rewards! Depending on the volume of plush pledges, this may take up to 2 months to process
To ensure we stay on schedule, please be sure to check and answer all surveys sent out in a timely manner! Since I need to tally up the final counts for who wants what, it's important to respond on time to avoid production delays.
The plushies may get to us earlier than expected, February 2026 is the latest they will get to you unless there are any unforeseen circumstances, which you will be notified of!
Please note that these are mere guidelines. Shipping fees will be calculated and charged after the campaign has ended and surveys have been sent out.
Shipping is a standard price based on the location and weight of your package!
The estimatedshipping cost willbe included in the checkout page. The cost may vary by a small degree if your shipping address changes. The final cost will be calculated based on location and the weight of your package.
Any custom taxes and fees will be the responsibility of the buyer.
IMPORTANT FOR NON-USA BACKERS ONLY: As required by law, the recipient will be required to pay any relevant taxes/customs/VAT fees due to import customs agencies of their country. We are not responsible for any custom agency seizure or holds and cannot communicate directly to custom agencies on behalf of the customer.
As an illustrator and product designer, Jojo Nieman Aims to create vibrant and playful illustrations that complement her range of plushies, hair claws, keychains, blankets, and more. Specializing in digital illustration, she transforms her analog sketches into lively creations using Procreate. Jojo's inspiration stems from a desire to bring joy and comfort to people, particularly those who are chronically ill or neurodivergent, as well as individuals with bright and alternative styles. Her bold and colorful designs serve not only as functional items, but also as decorative pieces that enhance daily life, fostering a sense of happiness and connection.
As a social media creator and self-taught graphic designer, Law wants their work to provide joy and resonance. Law explores a variety of mediums and styles in their illustrations and social media graphics, staying fun and whimsical while advocating for inclusivity and representation. For Law, art is a vital therapeutic outlet that helps them navigate the challenges of chronic illness and autism. Through vibrant creations, they find a sense of healing and empowerment.
All this information and more can be revisited in the FAQ section of our campaign!
♡ Why should I pledge? What do I get for it?
Pledging allows us to bring these products to life thanks to your help!
If you pledge for all the products you're interested in (even if they're not unlocked), it actually allows us to unlock stretch goals quicker than if you didn't! Remember, you can always alter your pledge or cancel it entirely - a pledge is not a commitment up until the campaign ends.
♡ How do I select the item that I want?
All choices will be made after the campaign has ended! You'll receive an email to fill in a BackerKit survey, in which you can specify which design you want.
♡ How do add-ons work?
After selecting for a pledge tier, you'll be taken to the "Add-ons" section where you can select any other product that you'd like as an addition to your pledge. For example, you have pledged for one plushie, if you also want an extra sticker, you can add one (or more) as an add-on on top of your base pledge!
♡ Can I get a refund after the campaign ends?
No, pledges will not be allowed refunds or cancellations after the campaign closes. This is because the money we have earned from the campaign will directly fund all of the production, shipping and materials costs. Please DO NOT back the project if you are unsure of your finances.
♡ I changed my mind and want to cancel my pledge!
While it would be so sad to see you go, you may cancel your pledge BEFORE the backing period ends. Once the project's funding period closes, you WILL NOT be able to cancel or request a refund. So, please only back our project if you are 100% certain you want to adopt one (or more) of my plushies.
♡ Can I give these plushies to my dog, cat, or baby?
Although these plushies are meant for cuddling, I cannot recommend giving them to your pets or infant, as rough handling can result in harm if any pieces are swallowed. The Critters also do not like being torn up. It hurts them as much as it hurts my heart seeing them destroyed... so please don't do that!
Backerkit is run on a Pledge Now, Pay Later system. This means you will only be charged at the end of the project!! Our base goal to get Juniper funded is to raise $4,000 USD. This will cover the cost of her sample, 100 plushies, and safety testing! Each additional $4,000 USD goal will cover each plushie’s necessary production expenses!
New to Backerkit? Not to worry! Here is a brief explanation of the crowdfunding pledge process to get you ready to adopt your very own Chronic Critter!
1) Create an Account
Create an account to pledge and join the crowdfunding community! Doing so helps you stay up to date with campaign updates and allow you to participate in other interactive posts such as polls, discussions, and livestreams.
2) Select a Pledge Level
Choose the pledge that best fits your wants and budget! You are able to choose a multitude of Critters, or just one.
3) Include Add-ons
Do you want another plush or more goodies? Check out the add-ons! After you select your pledge, add-ons allow you to further customize your rewards and get additional items.
4) Check out
Once you check out, you can sit back and relax until the end of the campaign! Once the campaign is over, keep a close eye on your email for the incoming survey that will let you input your final options!
5) Manage Your Pledge
After the campaign ends, a survey will be sent to your email. Through the survey you will be able to choose the exact plush and other goodies you want! As a reminder, you will not be charged for your pledge, add-ons, or shipping until after the campaign! If you want to add more or remove something from your order, you will be able to do so via Backerkit until orders are locked.
