With furry friends at the heart of the city of Toowoomba, the residents are quick to adopt animals from the local RSPCA Animal Care Centre; the centre proudly finds new families for more than 1400 animals a year. However, with the opening of the Toowoomba RSPCA Op Shop, there will soon be more than one way for people to help animals in need.

With a focus on sustainable style and loving the preloved, whether that be a vintage treasure or a nifty thrift find, RSPCA Op Shops operate by selling donated items to the public. Each store is run by a team of volunteers and all profits are generated to the RSPCA’s animal welfare efforts. Currently, RSPCA’s operating Op Shops in Queensland contribute to 20 per cent of their annual income. The community-based charity is one of the largest animal welfare operations in the country and works to prevent cruelty to animals by actively promoting their care and protection.

Toowoomba locals are keen to start supporting the new store. “We are really excited to get more involved in protecting our beloved animals, whether that is by donating, buying or rescuing,” one Toowoomba resident said. The Toowoomba RSPCA Op Shop, located next to the long-standing Animal Care Centre, will officially open its doors at 10am on Thursday 24 January. Grand opening celebrations will begin at 3.30pm with fur-riendly felines available for adoption and special guest appearances.

The Toowoomba store will be the fifteenth RSPCA Op Shop to open in Queensland with the hope of more to come.

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