Happy 5 Year Anniversary to the Auburn Valley Humane Society Thrift Store!!!

Auburn, WA – It is hard to believe it has been five years since Auburn Valley Humane Society first swung their doors open at the thrift store operated by the organization. The retail opportunity, which opened in August of 2015, has proven to be a vital and essential part of the organization.  Because of the Thrift Store’s success, AVHS has been able to fund several full time positions at the shelter and expand their service hours to the public to seven days a week. Revenues from the AVHS Thrift Store have also funded and continues to fund several vital community animal and human services programs provided by AVHS. These programs include, Public Medical Fund, Pets in Crisis, Pets Without Me, AVHS Pet Pantry, Reading Buddies, Girl Scout Badge Program, Pet Therapy, Seniors for Seniors and Save Haven a Pets of Domestic Violence program.

“I would like to thank the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers and most importantly the community for their support in making our dream of launching and successfully running a thrift store for AVHS become a reality”, said Phil Morgan, President and CEO of AVHS. Adding, “I am ever grateful for the dealers, both past and present and the staff and volunteers who are no longer with us but who through their blood, sweat and tears made us what we are today.”

The AVHS Thrift Store is staffed with five paid employees and dozens of volunteers. It is a full line retail thrift store of donated and gently used second hand items and also currently has fifteen dealers in seventeen consignment booths which comprise the 5000 square foot location formerly occupied by Peckenpaugh Pharmacy on the corner of M Street and East Main Street in Auburn. Manager, Dani Blyleven describes the store as “a yard sale under a roof”. Originally, AVHS signed a five year lease which expired in July of this year and has exercised the lease option for the next five years. 

In the first five years of operation from 8/1/14 to 7/31/19 AVHS Thrift Store revenues were: cash donations - $25,049.79, dealer sales - $444,900.54, dealer rent payments - $90,663.66 and donated item sales - $ 937,907.74 for a five year total revenue of $1,498,521.73. 

In this total,  the AVHS Thrift Store has raised $50,682.59 for the Public Medical Assistance Program and $151,744. 21 for the Extraordinary Medical Fund which provides above and beyond medical care for the homeless and abandoned animals in the care of AVHS.

Additionally, AVHS has collected and paid over $100,000 in sales taxes, which helps fund City of Auburn and WA State budgets.  

For more information about Auburn Valley Humane Society, please visit the AVHS website at  www.auburnvalleyhs.org.

 Photo Caption:  Auburn Valley Humane Society Thrift Store

About the Auburn Valley Humane Society

AVHS is a local, independent 501c3 non-profit organization which relies on pet licensing and lost pet housing agreements with the City of Auburn, Shelter Services, thrift store sales and generous donations from the community to fund shelter operations, humane education and human services programs. AVHS also serves King and Pierce Counties for owner relinquishment and adoptions.

Please visit www.auburnvalleyhs.org and be sure to follow AVHS on Facebook and Instagram.

Vision Statement

To be a model of excellence in the advancement of animal welfare.

Mission Statement

Auburn Valley Humane Society enriches the lives of companion animals and people                                                                                      through animal sheltering, programs and community engagement.