In recent years, the call to "Adopt, Don’t Shop" has been widely promoted by animal rescue and adoption groups, calling attention to the importance of saving the lives of homeless animals through adoption, and putting an end to the brutal realities of puppy and kitten mills by opting out of purchasing purebred pets from pet stores. While the sentiment is simple and its message clear, we’d like to make clear that not all shopping is detrimental. In fact, some shopping endeavors can directly support the very cause we all care about deeply.
The SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare’s core mission is to improve the lives of companion animals by rehoming abused, abandoned and neglected pets, but they also have a unique perspective on shopping that aligns with the best interests of the animals they serve.
Just a short drive from the SPCA’s Adoption Center and Veterinary Care Center is the SPCA Thrift Store. Their slogan? "Where Shopping Saves Lives." And it isn’t just a catchphrase; the revenue generated from this thrift store is channeled back into the care, treatment and housing of the numerous animals being housed and provided for in the animal shelter.
With the shelter currently operating well beyond its capacity with dogs and cats, the need for assistance and support from the community is critical. Adopting or fostering an animal is, of course, the most direct way to help. But for those who can't adopt or foster, the SPCA Thrift Store offers an alternative way to make a significant impact.
And coming up soon is your chance to help while enjoying a fantastic evening: The Thrift Store is hosting a purring ’20s holiday party themed "The Great Catsby" on Nov. 6 from 6-8 p.m. For fans of glitz, glamour, and the Roaring ’20s, this is an event you won’t want to miss. With tickets priced at just $10 in advance and $20 at the door, attendees will not only have the opportunity to revel in a festive atmosphere complete with music, appetizers and drinks, but also to peruse the store’s newly unveiled holiday items and upscale merchandise with 10% off their entire purchase. Remember, every dollar you spend is a dollar that goes towards saving lives.
At a time when so much help is needed for homeless and abandoned animals, the option to both "Adopt, Don’t Shop" and shop "Where Shopping Saves Lives" coexist beautifully. It's a testament to the idea that there's more than one way to make a difference.
Great Catsby tickets can be "purr-chased" at the SPCA Thrift Store, the SPCA Albrecht Center or online at LetLoveLive.org. Help the SPCA Albrecht Center continue its vital mission, and remember: the next time you think of shopping, make it count.
