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Community Corner

Shopping for a Cause

Humane Society's new boutique supports animal adoption center

How often does one get to support two life-long loves on a quick outing to a neighborhood location?

The newly opened 2nd Chance Boutique, 6293 Lake Osprey Drive,  satisfies your urge to shop and the desire to provide homes for all the lost animals of the world. The Boutique offers gently worn clothes a second chance while raising funds to support the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch, which offers a second chance for adoptable dogs and cats.

 “We started in October, and we all came from different backgrounds, but we are all animal lovers and rescue workers,” said Cathy Hanselman, board member and store manager.

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The store space, 1,750 square feet, is donated by Norman Ferber while the space for the no kill Adoption Center and Clinic, located at 7334 Trade Court, is donated by Connie and Mark Gellner of Stanley Steamer.

Described as a high-end boutique, the store carries labels such as Talbots, Zara and Chico's with a combination of consignments and donated clothes.  There are also shoes, handbags and small home interior items. Well-known Sarasota artist Jack Dowd has placed a few items in the store, and is sharing the commission with the animal organization.

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Debbie Rubin, president of the Humane Society, said the Lakewood Ranch residents wanted a spay and neuter clinic closer to their homes.

“I was one who was always driving to the Bradenton location with a car full of animals; forty minutes there and back and then another two trips to go pick them up. It was four hours out of your day,” she said. “Our main idea was to make taking care of the animals easier.”

Because of the size of the current clinic, the Society is recruiting people to be foster parents for the animals awaiting adoption. There is no room for the dogs to run around outside, so they are also looking for people to volunteer as dog walkers.

“The only thing we ask the foster parents to do is to bring them when we have events. We want to show the animals so they can be adopted,” Rubin said. “These are all adoptable animals and the amount being killed (at other shelters) is shocking. People think only the ‘bad’ dogs are being killed but many are adoptable."

“We give the foster parents everything they need: the food, the bowls, leashes and crates. And they can foster them for any length of time, even as short as a month. Many folks have had animals before and would like a pet while they are here. You just have a great feeling doing it.”

For more information about the Boutique, call (941) 361-1038. Hours are Wed., Fri. and Sat. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thurs. from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information about the no kill Adoption Center and Clinic, call (941) 840-4055 or visit www.HSLWR.org.

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