Local nonprofit opens thrift store to benefit Pahrump’s furry friends

Leadership at a local nonprofit that assists puppies, kittens and fully-grown animals find a permanent home or obtain needed medical care has established a new outlet to help fund the organization’s efforts.

Pahrump-based nonprofit, Pets are Worth Saving (PAWS), leased a roughly 1,000-square-foot space at 2031 East Gamebird Road in July to open a retail shop it calls Thrifty PAWS.

The establishment sells donated items such as clothes, exercise equipment and other households items, along with furniture, all in the name of helping local cats and dogs.

The prices, however, are somewhat up to the patrons.

“We are unique in that pretty much everything is what you can pay,” said Peggy Sanders, who heads up the PAWS organization and related thrift store operations. “It’s all what you can pay—what you feel like paying.”

Naming your own price doesn’t for the puppies or kittens, Sanders added.

Shoppers can find a few cute faces if they decide to stop by.

Sanders said she meets people at the new retail center if they want to come look at a dog or cat for possible adoption and for socialization efforts.

“We have kittens that we’re bringing in, which the kittens are going actually pretty fast when you’ve got the cuteness factor,” Sanders said.

How it started

The PAWS organization, which came together in 2015, also holds periodic adoption events. But Sanders said she’s been doing rescues for much longer than that.

The animals that are given to her group and put up for adoption are placed with foster families throughout town and some will soon head to her new holding and training facility for dogs near Hafen Elementary School. That facility can comfortably hold 22 dogs, she said.

Before the facility was approved by Nye County, Sanders said she had to turn down dogs sometimes.

“I don’t like to turn dogs down,” Sanders said.

The number of animals that come to her nonprofit varies.

“Most of our dogs either come off the euthanasia list from other rescues or shelters, or they’re turned in,” she said. “We generally only take animals because of the owner’s health problems or a death or a physical reason they can’t take care of their animals.”

PAWS has a Senior to Senior program where senior dogs are placed in senior households.

“We’ll even provide the food and the basic vet for the seniors on a fixed income that can’t afford a dog,” Sanders said.

Sometimes these seniors do pass away, but Sanders said she tries to place these animals in a similar situation.

“They’re already used to living senior lifestyles,” she said. “If we can get them into a home like that, it’s more comfortable for them.”

A closer look

A fee is not required, but Sanders said she does require a donation: $5, $10 or $20, depending on the party.

“Some people will pay the going rate they would’ve gotten from another rescue,” Sanders said. “They just got it from us.”

A premium is required for animals younger than six months old.

“If the animal is under 6 months old, we do expect the adoptee to be able to pay for all their basic vetting,” Sanders said.

Adoptees can take the puppy or kitten to their own vet or have it done through PAWS.

The organization sells a veterinary care package that includes spay or neuter service, vaccinations and microchipping.

PAWS also helps local animals through its emergency vet bill program, where assistance is offered to pets that are in an immediate life or death situation, along with offering assistance with euthanasia.

Check the PAWS website at Nevadapaws.org for more information.

The group plans to reopen its pet food pantries, for pet owners that can’t afford cat or dog food, Sanders said.

Sanders said she is also considering having an area for animal training at her retail space. A large area behind the main store is for dogs to run around in, a space she eventually plans to completely fence in.

“I’ve got a couple of trainers who’ve expressed interest in doing training classes,” Sanders said. “Maybe we’ll do some puppy socialization out here so that we can get some training classes in.”

Sanders said the cost for that will be similar to the price for products in the thrift store: whatever you can pay.

Contact reporter Jeffrey Meehan at jmeehan@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes