RSPCA Victoria’s Bayswater Op Shop will celebrate its first birthday on Sunday, 21 April, with a whopping 45,000 individual purchases in the first year.
Bayswater Op-Shop Manager, Sarah Kulikov, said she was delighted by the success of the store and thanked the local community for their ongoing support.
“The Bayswater locals have been incredibly supportive of our young store, making more than 45,000 individual purchases in the first 12 months,” Ms Kulikov said.
“We are supremely grateful for our amazing team of local volunteers running the story here in Bayswater and to the Bayswater locals for being so welcoming.
“Everyone who has purchased something through our Op Shops has helped the animals in RSPCA shelters and in the community through our outreach programs”.
Liz Irvine, RSPCA Victoria’s Op-Shop Network Manager the proceeds from RSPCA’s op shops are a vital source of funding.
“All donations and purchases make a real difference to our work to prevent cruelty to all animals and enable us to care for over 11,000 animals every year,” Ms Irvine said.
“On average it costs around $51 per day to care for a cat or a dog in the shelter, so every one of those 45,000 purchases have helped provide an animal in need with food, shelter, and veterinary treatment.
“We are proud of RSPCA Op Shop’s reputation for quality goods and friendly atmosphere – plus there’s always a treasure to be found.”
RSPCA Victoria’s op shops are supported by local volunteers who join to help their communities and often stay for the companionship and social connections they make.
New op shop volunteers are needed with RSPCA Victoria calling on people in the area to apply.
Successful applicants receive full training, and no experience is needed. Volunteering is a great way to make new friends, gain experience and make a difference.
Donations of clean, high-quality items for sale by the shops are also a great way to show support. Clean, undamaged items suitable for resale are accepted in-store during trading hours only.
Public parking is available at the rear of the store.
RSPCA Victoria Op Shop Bayswater
716 Mountain Highway, Bayswater
9AM – 5PM, Monday to Saturday. Closed on public holidays.
People interested in volunteering with RSPCA Victoria can apply at www.rspcavic.org/opshopvolunteers
