Too often, it’s difficult to convince people of the need to spay and neuter their pets. But for the Humane Society of Statesboro and Bulloch County, the challenge is in keeping up with the demand from those who want to fix their pets and can’t afford it.
    “We are in a happy dilemma,” said Christina Lemon, president of the local Humane Society. “There is great interest in our spay, neuter and rescue programs and we need additional resources to keep up with the demand.” 
    After much research, Lemon said the group found that thrift shops were successful ventures for other non-profit, humane groups across the country.
    With that in mind, the group opened its own thrift shop, ReTails, at 105 N. College, the former The Teaching Tree location, earlier this month.
    The shop has gently-used furniture, household goods, books and media, seasonal decorating items, garden and pet supplies, sporting goods and clothing and jewelry.
    “We have something for everyone,” Lemon said.
    Although the shop’s primary function is to generate money for the group’s programs, there will be additional benefits as well.
    The shop will be utilized as a centralized “headquarters” for local Humane Society activities and supplies — something the group sorely needs, Lemon said.
    The all-volunteer group is not affiliated with the Bulloch County Shelter and does not receive any funds from county, state or national groups. All revenue comes from local donations and volunteer-held fundraisers like its silent auction and Pet Fun Day events or several garage sales held each year.
    “In the past, we’ve had many people donate items for our garage sales, and they’ve had to hold onto the items up until the sale day or our volunteers had to store the donations in their homes. Now, donations can be brought right to the shop,” Lemon said.  
    The permanent location also will facilitate the group’s foster program.
    Although no pets will be housed at the shop, foster families now will have a location to pick up fostering supplies, Lemon said. Adoptable pets will still be cared for and socialized in foster homes, listed on Petfinder.com, and seen by appointment or at Humane Society adoption events at Petco or Anderson’s General Store.
    The thrift shop also will provide a location to request financial assistance vouchers for spaying and neutering.
    “We’d like to be in a position to help more people spay and neuter their pets and enjoy the benefits of a pet in their lives,” Lemon said. “The recent incident in which a family’s cat was shot with a bow and arrow here in our community makes us all the more aware of the work we still need to do in educating people about the humane treatment of animals.”
    Last year, the Humane Society of Statesboro and Bulloch County adopted out more than 400 homeless dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. It also assisted about 300 eligible households and full-time college students to spay or neuter their pets.
    “There has been great support from the community to get this venture underway,” Lemon said. “Tom Amettis of Tom’s Painting donated his time and talent to paint the shop and the Statesboro’s Sherwin-Williams donated the paint. Rob Wilkerson has made time in his busy schedule to put up storage sheds for us. Marion and Terry Hulsey, who are leasing the building to us, have been very accommodating. We are very appreciative of these acts of generosity.”