Paws In Thrift Boutique helps fund dog foster program

NEW BERLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) – A hometown thrift store is on a mission to help local shelter dogs find their forever home.

Since opening in 2019, Paws In Thrift Boutique in New Berlin has been an integral part of fundraising for non-profit Canine Cupids.

"COVID was tough. We almost shut down, but we managed to bounce back," volunteer Clodagh McGinnis said. "It's my passion. I love it, it's amazing. All the people you meet are equally as good as the dogs."

McGinnis often runs the store at 16040 West National Ave., helping sell their donated pet items to raise money for Canine Cupids.

"Then we have a huge selection of dog clothes, most of which are new or in great condition," she said.

"Everything's probably a quarter of what the new price would be and some of them are actually new."

From toys to crates and even stuff for humans, the store was created to fund the non-profit's foster home program.

"All they need is a couch and some love and get to love the dog and then move it along," McGinnis said.

Last year, Canine Cupids fostered 60 dogs from local shelters, including Aggie, a five-year-old bulldog mix found wandering the streets alone.

"She is blind. That does not stop her," foster mom Ashley Brockmann said. "She loves people. Everyone she meets, she's not subtle about asking for pets or treats. She's just a really good dog."

Brockmann has been fostering Aggie since October, with all expenses paid for by Cianie Cupids.

"It makes it so much easier. It takes that burden of expense, especially with larger dogs. It costs more to feed, and they cost more in vet bills and things like that, being a larger dog. They take care of all of that, which makes it really no burden on me at all. I give her space and love. The rest is all them," she explained.

"When she finds that perfect home it's going to be the best day ever. I can spoil her and love her while she's here, but to know that she has her forever family, I can't even describe it. It's so heartwarming."

Every purchase at Paws In goes to helping dogs like Aggie get a second chance at life.

"[Being in foster homes] completely changes them entirely because of the shelter environment, the stress. I mean, you have unneutered dogs, dogs giving birth, all in close proximity," McGinnis said.

"They say shelter dogs maybe get two hours of sleep a night, in general. So, once they get to decompress in the home, they just come into themselves, blossom, and get them ready for adoption."

Canine Cupids is always looking for a helping hand from the community, whether it be in the form of donations for the boutique or foster families.

"We really need volunteers to open up more because now we're only open Friday and Saturday, four hours each day because it's all volunteer-based," McGinnis said.

For more information on Canine Cupids and Paws In Boutique, click here.