You walk into your local Second Chance Shop or gallery, and you walk out with a treasure. Maybe a unique piece of art, a funky sweater, a new-to-you piece of furniture, or the perfect sports equipment. The clerk at the register says, “Thank you”, but the thank you comes from all of us at Second Chance. Do you realize you also helped a homeless pet have a brighter future? You helped provide resources to families struggling to afford their pet’s medical care or food. You helped reduce pollution and waste in the community. When you check back often to find more treasures and donate goods, you’ll start to know the people who work there, the people who shop there, and the pets we have for adoption.

Resale shops are ubiquitous in non-profit fundraising, providing much-needed funds to help important causes. In addition, they are a public face for the organization. Our stores serve to raise awareness about our mission and services while expanding our community beyond those who adopt pets from us, see us at events, or take advantage of our services. Our stores are a win-win for both Second Chance and the community. We employ people, offer affordable shopping, and keep usable items out of landfills. Nicholas Gilman, Executive Director, says, “Our stores are part of our outreach to communities that care deeply about animals and the people that Second Chance serves. Your patronage provides us with the opportunity to save more lives and to help more pets and people.”

Donations are the start of this process that means so much to us. We always need quality, clean, useable items. Our donation center in Ridgway is always busy. Our Telluride shop accepts donations as well. From the point where items are handed over to us, they go through sorting, determining saleability, and pricing. Things we cannot use are often donated to other organizations. We also work with individuals who take clothing, books, and goods to places like the Ute Indian Reservation for distribution to needy families. 

Ensuring you’re bringing us the right things is key to helping us make a difference with our shops. All donations should be re-sellable. With that in mind, please donate good, current, clean items. If it’s broken or stained, we cannot resell it. Think of it this way; if you wouldn’t use it, wear it, or give it to someone you care about- it’s probably not something we can sell. We encourage sorting before dropping off to help us keep our trash removal fees down.

Second Chance has three unique shops, Our Ridgway thrift shop (309 Sherman Street) is a trove of clothing, shoes, accessories, books, household items, linens, sporting goods, furniture, and more. Across the parking lot, is our Paws for Art Gallery where you will find art, photography, antiques, collectibles, furniture, and other treasures. In Telluride (335 W Colorado Ave), we have Sit, Stay, Shop! an upscale resale emporium where we stock the shop with a mix of quality merchandise. 

kikiKiki is a beautiful senior girl who has been with us off and on for a long time. She was adopted and then returned when her person went to hospice care. She has been in a couple of foster homes but is now back at the shelter. Please consider adding this deserving, sweet cat to your family.

Second Chance Humane Society’s Animal Resource Center and Shops have served San Miguel, Ouray & Montrose Counties since 1994. Adoption hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 5:30 pm. View our shelter pets and services online: www.secondchancehumane.org