Donate your unwanted goods to Ark and save a dog’s life

CHARTWELL – The Ark Animal Centre is on a mission to make its dog shelter more sustainable with the introduction of a second-hand store in Muldersdrift.

October 18, 2018

Robyn Kirk 1 minute read

Ark Animal Centre cares for puppies and pregnant dogs primarily, but has received a number of adult dogs recently as well who need care. Photo Robyn Kirk

The Ark Animal Centre in Chartwell is on a mission to make its shelter more sustainable.

A second-hand book sale was hosted on 6 October at the shelter grounds on Howard Avenue with about 700 books on offer to the public. This event, along with the establishment of a second-hand store in Muldersdrift, is the shelter’s attempt to make the Ark more financially stable so that they can continue their work caring for dogs in need. While the shelter specialises in pregnant dogs and puppies, it also cares for adult dogs who are strays or who have been abandoned.

“We as a shelter need to become more self-sufficient,” explained Stacey Lobley.

“We depend on donations from the public, but everyone is struggling right now. And while we specialise in puppies, recently we have got a number of adult dogs in who have [medical] issues and who need vet treatment. It all costs money.”

The second-hand store, which has been named Ark’s Attic, is located at 17 Drift Boulevard in Muldersdrift and sells a wide variety of second-hand goods donated by the public.

“We asked the public to help name the new shop back on Mandela Day, and we got thousands of responses. ‘Ark’s Attic’ just sort of stuck though, as we thought about how much stuff actually is in your attic,” she said. “Although the store was officially opened on 1 September, we had some issues and will reopen to the public again on 10 October.”

On 6 October the shelter held a book sale to raise funds for its work, with about 700 second-hand books on offer.
Photo: Stacey Lobley

The store sells anything and everything and Lobley says that the items, which are most popular with buyers, are clothes, children’s toys and any goods related to the kitchen. Donations dropped off at Ark’s premises are cleaned, sorted and priced by Ark staff before they are transported to Ark’s Attic to be sold.

“All money raised goes straight to the shelter to buy things like food, or to pay vet bills.”

Goods in decent quality can be dropped off at the centre during office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 3pm and members of the public do not need to call first. The shelter is closed to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays.