The kingdom’s oldest animal welfare centre is appealing to the public to support its vital thrift shop, a key source of income that helps fund the shelter’s operations and care for its more than 150 animals.
The Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) – founded in 1979 by a small group of committed and passionate animal lovers – has long relied on sales from the thrift shop, which offers everything from second-hand clothing and jewellery to small furniture and household items.
However, board member Sarah Khoury told the GDN that sales and customers have declined following the pandemic and the rise in social media and WhatsApp buy-and-sell groups, a trend that could affect the shelter’s ability to operate.
“Gone are the days when, on a Friday morning, the queue of patiently waiting customers stretched down the street,” she said.
“We believe that with the explosion of these buy-and-sell groups, people are trying to sell what they would previously have donated. People are more inclined to purchase second-hand items online as it is more convenient.
“In addition, we often receive donations with little sticky notes suggesting they tried to sell the item elsewhere first, which is a shame.”
Ms Khoury also explained that fundraising activities, which once generated significant income for the BSPCA, have changed too.
“People do more from home and do not enjoy going out to functions like they once did,” she said, adding that the organisation previously held many fundraising balls, but the few that remain are no longer well attended. “The response since Covid-19 was so poor that we would have struggled to break even. So when you consider that those have gone, then any decline in shop sales has a hugely negative impact.”
She added that she would welcome retail stores that have recently closed, or are in the process of pulling the shutters down, to consider donating unsold stock to the thrift shop.
Ms Khoury also explained that the shop no longer has a manager, making daily operations more challenging though volunteers and staff have managed to keep it running.
“Income generated from the shop goes towards running the centre’s veterinary care, medication, free trap-neuter-return (TNR) programmes for stray and compound cats and dogs.”
Ms Khoury noted that the BSPCA must meet strict regulatory standards while responding to a constant demand for rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming services as it is registered with the Social Development Ministry.
“What makes the thrift shop so special is the mutually-beneficial relationship between the charity and the wider community,” she said, adding that members of the community can shop affordably while supporting animal welfare at the same time, creating a cycle of support that benefits everyone.
This is not the first time the BSPCA has appealed to the public.
Last year, the centre faced a severe financial crisis and was on the verge of permanent closure until supporters rallied round.
The shop offers a thoughtfully organised selection of donated items, including clothing, shoes, handbags, jewellery, accessories, household goods, small furniture items, books and decorative pieces.
All items are assessed for quality, cleanliness and condition to ensure they are suitable for resale and appealing to shoppers.
Upstairs, there is a room for newborns and babies boasting bibs, maternity wear, toys and more.
There is a mini library in the hallway featuring all types of fiction and nonfiction books. There is a room for home-related items, with prices starting from 200 fils including pots and pans, mugs, plates, curtains, cushions, blankets and a pet product corner. There is also a room for men’s fashion consisting of shoes and sporting goods.
In addition to daily sales, the thrift shop hosts pop-up events during the holidays and themed sales to generate additional funds and attract new visitors. Designer items and brand-new items can often be found in abundance during these events.
Women’s clothing is priced at BD1 to BD5, with children’s clothes at half of that price.
The thrift shop is located at 6 Busheiri Gardens, Abu Saiba, Budaiya.
The shop, which accepts cash only, is open six days a week, except on Wednesday. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm and on Sundays from 2pm to 7pm.
Donations can also be made to BSPCA using IBAN BH04NBOB00000099073943. If you can help call 17591231.
For more information follow @bspcathriftshop on Instagram.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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