The Dawson County Humane Society opened its Resale Shop and Boutique last Thursday to excited patrons from around the county.

"I'm an animal advocate, so I think this a wonderful thing," said customer Ginger Bailey. "There are so many animals that get adopted through the humane society. Just by having a place like this that the whole community can donate to, they'll be able to raise enough funds to keep the no-kill shelter going."

And it's specifically for that reason that the society opened the boutique.

"We knew we needed some additional revenue to keep the doors open at the shelter," said society board member Terri Tragesser.

"We decided that the other events, Lucky Dog and the like, were not enough to sustain us as an organization. Through the generosity of some of our board and volunteers, we came up with the money for this boutique. Not a penny of it has come from shelter operations."

The boutique, described by Tragesser as a "clean, pleasant environment," features merchandise that includes small furniture, decorative household items, jewelry, handbags and hats as well as pet supplies and clothing.

"Our goal is to present our merchandise in a way that people enjoy coming time after time," Tragesser said. "We hope to price things [so] that inventory moves quickly, so when you come in, the merchandise is always new."

All items donated will be fully tax deductible and all profits from the shop will go to support the shelter's operations and building improvements.

The volunteers that help run the store echoed the sentiments of the customers in terms of why they do what they do.

"I've been working with the humane society for a while," said volunteer Betsy Connor. "I do it for the animals. I really care about and love animals."

The boutique is located on Lumpkin Campground road, just south of the Hwy. 53 intersection, in the shopping center near Bethel United Methodist Church. It is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, to volunteer or to schedule donations, contact Tragesser at (706) 265-6360.