New RSPCA charity shop and welfare hub opens in Lincoln
A new charity shop - which includes a welfare hub for community and fundraising events - has opened.
The RSPCA shop on High Street, Lincoln, which is also home to future partnership initiatives, officially opened to the public on Saturday (March 22).
Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Toby Dennis opened the shop, which will help raise money for mistreated animals cared for by the Lincolnshire Mid, North East and Lincoln Branch.
This brings the total number of shops run by the branch to three, alongside locations on Station Road, Woodhall Spa, and St Mark's Church Hall, St Marks Street, Lincoln.
Three-year-old Luna is one of the animals being cared for and has sadly been waiting for her new home for almost a year.
She came into the branch's care in July last year after her previous owner had too many dogs to cope with.
As a result, she was neglected and underweight.
Emily Knapp, shop and hub manager for the branch, said: “The team has been working round the clock to get our new shop ready and I cannot thank everyone enough for all their efforts and we are all so excited and we hope the local community will support us.
“All the money raised from our shop will be used to help animals in need in the Lincolnshire area covered by our branch.
“It’s been a lot of hard work for everyone involved in getting the shop ready for opening but it’s definitely been worth it. It will also be the first shop in our exciting new RSPCA brand.
“Visitors to our shop will be able to find some amazing items tucked away on the rails and shelves.
“All the money raised from this shop will go towards helping all the animals in our care which is currently 21 cats and seven dogs.”
Emily added: “We're happy to receive donations, particularly clothing and items of homeware and we have volunteering opportunities for anyone who would like to give some time or get some retail work experience.”
The shop will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30am to 5pm.
All branches of the RSPCA are separately registered charities that raise their own funds to help local animals through fundraising events, public donations, and charity shops.
They offer services ranging from caring for animals rescued by RSPCA inspectors from neglect and cruelty to providing veterinary financial assistance to struggling pet owners.
