Fort Mill Humane Society Thrift Shop Pawsibilities

As animal lovers, we are so excited to have become a part of volunteering for the Humane Society of York County.  We think that part of being a true citizen of your community means volunteering in it, and we were fortunate to become involved with the Humane Society last year. 

Though we've done some dog walking and exercizing the cats, we've spent most of our time helping to get the Thrift Shop "Pawsibilities" up and and running for the Humane Society.  It is just one of their many donation arms to raise money for this no-kill shelter.  

Click here to learn more about the Humane Society of York County

Or visit the Thrift Shop Website: PawsibilitiesThriftShop.com

Below is a Charlotte Observer article written about Elaine during National Volunteer Week: 

National Volunteer Week

 Shop at thrift store, help save animals

Elaine Siegel holds a 6-week-old kitten ready for adoption at the York County Humane Society. DAVIE HINSHAW dhinshaw@charlotteobserver.com

More Information

• Pawsibilities Thrift Shop is located behind the Humane Society of York County at 2036 Carolina Place Parkway, Fort Mill. The shop is open 10am-4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Donations are accepted during shop hours. They accept household items, children's clothing and animal items. For more information, visit www.PawsibilitiesThriftShop.com or call 803-517-2091. The Humane Society of York County is located at the same address and is open 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

National Volunteer Week runs through Saturday. The Observer asked readers to recognize volunteers in their communities. We're sharing a few of their stories during the week.

Last October, the Humane Society of York County officials were wondering how to pay some bills. With the economy taking a sharp plunge, donations were way down, but the number of animals coming in was way up.

"There were times that we didn't know if the phone was going to be cut off," said Stacy McConaghy, the society's fundraising director.

That's where Elaine Siegel came in.

Siegel was taking her cat to the veterinarian in the office next to the society when she and her friend, Pam Williams, began chatting about the organization's fundraiser. Williams told her about a thrift shop the rescue group wanted to open. Siegel was hooked.

Pawsibilities Thrift Shop opened less than two months later in December. Siegel, a Realtor with First Properties of the Carolinas, took warehouse space donated by Carolina Place Animal Hospital and got to work.

She used her real estate contacts to line up a contractor willing to renovate the empty space for free, creating rooms and shelves for the donated items. She started a Web site, www.PawsibilitiesThriftShop.com, and recruited volunteers to run the shop.

"It was all for the animals. It was the right time and someone asked me to help," Siegel said.

The thrift shop now brings in more than $1,000 a week for the humane society. Items have been sold and shipped as far as Ohio, thanks to sales from the shop's Web site. Siegel also sells some items on eBay.

"It's allowed us to take in more animals and get them the shots and care that they need," said McConaghy, of the society. "The thrift shop has also given the society a much-needed boost in visibility. People that come into the shop end up coming next door and adopting. We've also gotten more volunteers."

Nothing goes to waste at Pawsibilities. When a donated item isn't right for their shop, such as adult clothing or large furniture, Siegel arranges to have it sent to another charity. Because her work hours are flexible, Siegel can be at the shop when she's needed. She puts in about 25 volunteer hours a week.

"I work a lot of nights and weekends," she said.

She even incorporated the Humane Society into her Christmas yard display. Siegel and her family create an elaborate display every year, and in December she added a lighted cat and dog, with a Humane Society sign and a bucket for donations. She raised nearly $200.

Siegel's cat, whose vet visit started her involvement with the society, died several weeks ago. Siegel now plans to open her home to foster cats and kittens, housing them until homes can be found.

Siegel said she gets much more out of volunteering than she puts in. "It's about doing something and making a difference for the organization, but it's also about doing something for yourself."