The Backyard Naturalist loves Junkyard Dogs & Cats! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality.

Yardbirds, Junkyard Dogs & Cats

Yardbirds and Junkyard Dogs & Cats have been handcrafted from scrap materials since 1991 by Richard Kolb in Louisville, Kentucky. The artist summarizes his work in one simple word— “Happiness”. It’s the perfect description, as his joy in making every unique ‘critter’ shines through!

Yardbirds and Junkyard critters are guaranteed to inspire conversation about the materials used… is that a garden tool, car part, farm implement, bicycle part? Or even part of a transmission or muffler…? All are created from materials that would otherwise be doomed to a landfill.

No matter the sum of its parts, every one of these creations has a personality all its own. Every Yardbird, Junkyard Dog, Cat or Critter is handmade, so dimensions may vary. As parts are subject to availability, pieces may vary from the images we show on our website.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Junkyard Dogs!  Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality.

Baby Nuts the Bad Boy Dog

This little bad dog would make a funny desk top decoration or table top item and is sure to get a laugh out of knowing dog owners. Made using scrap and reject metal including a small nut. See also Small Bad Boy Dog for a larger version.
Dimensions:
Length: 5.5 in.
Width: 3.5 in.
Height: 4 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Junkyard Dogs & Cats! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality.

Cheeks the Cat

Made from recycled metal, this little chubby-faced kitty waits patiently for a home.
Dimensions:
Length: 7 in.
Width: 8 in.
Height: 9 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Junkyard Dogs & Cats! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. "Chubby Nut the Cat" pictured.

Chubby Nut the Cat

Chubby Nut the Cat makes delightful use of a big scrap nut, washers, nails and marbles. Great small gift item!
Dimensions:
Length: 6.5 in.
Width: 4 in.
Height: 6 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Junkyard Dogs & Cats! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. "Chubs the Cat" pictured here.

Chubs the Cat

This teeny cat has a sun gear body and screws for legs.
Dimensions:
Length: 3 in.
Width: 3 in.
Height: 3 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Junkyard Dogs & Cats! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “Chubs the Happy Puppy” pictured here.

Chubs the Happy Puppy

A happy little puppy with a sun gear body and screws for legs. Who doesn’t love puppies? Universal appeal make Chubs the perfect gift for any dog lover.
Dimensions:
Length: 3 in.
Width: 1.5 in.
Height: 3 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Yardbirds! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “Chubs the Owl” pictured here.

Chubs the Owl

Whooo loves you? Chubs the Owl, that’s who!
Dimensions:
Length: 2 in.
Width: 2.5 in.
Height: 3 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Yardbirds! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “CK Bushing Bird” pictured here.

CK Bushing Bird

Made of scrap and reject metal. Body features a bushing reducer and a cabinet knob. Cabinet knob will vary in color and pattern.
Dimensions:
Length: 4 in.
Width: 4 in.
Height: 5.5 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Junkyard Dogs & Cats! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “CK Bushing Dog” pictured here.

CK Bushing Dog

Made of scrap and reject metal. Body features a bushing reducer and a cabinet knob. Cabinet knob will vary in color and pattern.
Dimensions:
Length: 6.5 in.
Width: 5 in.
Height: 6 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Yardbirds! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “CK Bushing Pig” pictured here.

CK Bushing Pig

Made of scrap and reject metal. Body features a bushing reducer and a cabinet knob. Cabinet knob will vary in color and pattern.
Dimensions:
Length: 5 in.
Width: 3 in.
Height: 4 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Yardbirds! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “CK Colorful Bird” pictured here.

CK Colorful Bird

Body is made of a colorful cabinet knob.
Dimensions:
Length: 4 in.
Width: 4.5 in.
Height: 5.5 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Yardbirds! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “Lucky Horseshoe Owl” pictured here.

Lucky® Horseshoe Owl

This horseshoe is bringing the luck to the owl, and maybe you too!
Dimensions:
Length: 4.5 in.
Width: 6.5 in.
Height: 6 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Yardbirds! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “CK Luv Bug” pictured here.

CK Luv Bug

Have you been bitten by the love bug? Then get this great little guy to show it! Body is made from a bushing, and a heart cabinet knob. Marble eyes.
Dimensions:
Length: 4 in.
Width: 3.5 in.
Height: 5 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Junkyard Dogs & Cats! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “Mini Fluffy Cat" pictured here.

Mini Fluffy Cat

Made from recycled metal parts, including edger blades, lugnuts and nails.
Dimensions:
Length: 12 in.
Width: 9 in.
Height: 18 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Junkyard Dogs & Cats! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “Tiny Kitten” pictured here.

Tiny Kitten

This little cat sculpture makes the perfect gift for cat lovers. Made from recycled metal parts with marble eyes.
Dimensions:
Length: 8.5 in.
Width: 6.5 in.
Height: 7 in.

The Backyard Naturalist loves Junkyard Dogs & Cats! Made from materials that otherwise would be doomed to a landfill. Each piece has a unique personality. “Tiny Happy Puppy” pictured here.

Tiny Happy Puppy

Great things come in small packages. Great small gift item that will put a smile on anybody’s face. This happy puppy design is so popular, it appears across the board in many of our functional products as well. Materials used include a steel ball nose and marble eyes.
Dimensions:
Length: 6 in.
Width: 6 in.
Height: 7 in.