The RSPCA shop was one of the first charity shops to be established in Tavistock and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Although it has been in its current location in King Street for 25 years, manager Karen Norwood says customers are still delighted to discover it tucked away there and often say: “I didn’t know there was an RSPCA shop in Tavistock – how long have you been here?”
Another surprising fact is that all staff in the Tavistock and Plymouth area are volunteers, including the managers, which means that even more of the income raised in the shops is used to support RSPCA work. RSPCA inspectors with the Plymouth & South West Devon branch are responsible for rescuing stray and injured animals. Once the animals have received appropriate care at veterinary surgeries they are transferred to shelters such as the RSPCA Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter or looked after locally ready for rehoming. In addition, the charity campaigns nationally to raise standards of animal welfare, including prosecuting those responsible for animal abuse.
Karen and her close-knit team of volunteers thoroughly enjoy working in the Tavistock branch which has become a small community in its own right, with a regular and loyal following of customers. As you might imagine the shop is extremely dog-friendly and there is always a tin of dog biscuits in the drawer for canine visitors. The retail unit’s compact space requires painstaking stock control, but the result is a carefully organised and eclectic mix of treasures for all tastes.
All donations of goods are gratefully received and the shop welcomes new volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering please call into the shop and pick up a form. If anyone is interested in adopting an animal please check www.rspca.org.uk for details.