Melanie Padun, manager of the new store which opened yesterday (8 September), said:
We’re so excited to open RSPCA Coventry and District’s newest shop in fantastic Rugby. The team has worked round the clock to get everything ready and everyone in the area has made us feel so welcome.
We’re so grateful to everyone that has donated stock so far - but we are always looking for more donations so visitors to our shop will be able to find more amazing treasures tucked away on the rails and shelves.
We also couldn’t do what we do without the help of our amazing volunteers and we’d love to hear from you if you’re interested in helping us out - even a few hours a week makes a big difference - so we’d urge anyone interested to pop into our shop on Albert Street for more information.
We are really looking forward to seeing everyone - shoppers, supporters and volunteers - at our new shop.
Local people looking to lend a helping hand can volunteer to help the team get stock ready for sale, serve on the till and replenish the shelves on the shop floor.
Shops play a vital part in raising money to help mistreated animals and the money raised supports the animals in the branch’s care - like Dazzle (pictured), a friendly three-year-old Shih Tzu who is desperate to find her forever home.
The RSPCA has a record number of dogs in its care at the moment - the charity is calling for the public’s help and urgently appealing for adopters to come forward, to give these dogs a second chance and free up space so they can continue their vital rescue work.
Anthony Dwyer, Area Retail Manager at RSPCA Coventry and District, said:
We are really excited to have a presence in Rugby and look forward to customers shopping with us, to support the work of our local Animal Centre team in Coventry.
We would be grateful to anyone who can kindly give up any number of hours to support us. We are an independent charity and every pound we make in our retail shops helps to generate the income we need to fund our vital animal welfare services, including the costs of running our animal centre team and vet bills.
All the money raised from this shop will go towards helping all the animals in our care, which is currently 20 dogs and seven cats.
Anyone interested in volunteering should call in to see Melanie in the shop, or they can express their interest online.
The shop will be open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday. Donations can be dropped off during opening hours - and the team are grateful for clean, usable items including clothing, shoes and accessories, books, records, CDs and DVDs, soft furnishings, electrical items, and homeware and bric-a-brac.
