ST. GEORGE – The Giving Tree Thrift  & Collectibles, located at 257 W. Tabernacle, opened its doors in December 2013. Owners Mike and Laura Pegg wanted to find a way to help animal rescue shelters in the Washington County area on a regular basis.

Since opening their store, the Peggs have made donations to P.A.W.S., H.A.R.T. and A Second Chance Ranch in Veyo, which takes in farm animals as well as cats and dogs.

“Our family has always loved antique and thrift stores,” Laura Pegg said, “this just seemed like a fun way to help the local animal shelters.”

As you walk into the quaint shop, to the left you will see the kitchen, a room filled with dishes, pots, pans, and collectibles.  The main room has racks of quality repurposed clothing, purses and shoes. There is even a nursery stocked with baby clothes and other baby items.

First-time customer Cara Street was impressed with what the Peggs have done with the once vacant house.

“I love the way she has it laid out,” Street said. “It’s functional but cute. It looks more like a boutique.  I look forward to donating and helping her out as much as I can,” she said.

 

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Videocast by Samantha Tommer, St. George News

Donations of all kinds are accepted.  The Giving Tree is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization so any donations given should be tax deductible. Besides donations of goods, a bucket is available for donations of dog and cat food and kitty litter, which are given along with cash donations to the organization of the month.

The Peggs hope that as news of the new thrift store spreads they will be able to increase their monthly donations. Currently, they are donating $100 each month.

One reason the Peggs settled on the place they are located is because there’s a huge fenced parking lot in the back where Laura Pegg hopes to coordinate animal adoption events.

“The area behind the store is secure, away from traffic and a safe place to hold pet adoptions,” Laura Pegg said. “There are so many homeless animals that need a family.”

Laura Pegg is hearing more and more about agencies in Washington County that work to help homeless animals.  Many of them she didn’t know existed before, she said.

“Mike met Buck from The Second Chance Ranch at a garage sale,” Laura Pegg said. “We had never heard of them before.”

The Second Chance Ranch was The Giving Tree’s organization of the month for February.

In order to be considered to receive donations from The Giving Tree, organizations must be nonprofit and must be no-kill shelters, meaning they do not euthanize animals as a means of population control.

P.A.W.S was the first organization to receive donations from The Giving Tree.

Lynn Burger, director of operations at P.A.W.S., was very happy to hear about the Peggs’ efforts to help.

“We are very excited that about The Giving Tree,” Burger said. “Anytime we get community support it helps a lot.”

P.A.W.S, like The Giving Tree is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization.

“P.A.W.S. rescues about 500 animals a year,” Burger said.  “It takes about $100 from the time an animal is rescued to get it ready for adoption.”

This does not include the overhead for food, kitty litter and a lot of cleaning supplies, such as paper towels and bleach, to keep their shelter clean.

For more information about how you can help The Giving Tree to help local shelters you can visit their website at The Giving Tree, find them on Facebook, or telephone them at 435-656-9011.

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Resources

• The Giving Tree Thrift & Collectibles, 257 W. Tabernacle, St. George, Utah, 84770  435-656-9011
• Website The Giving Tree
  
• Facebook
• Telephone 435-656-9011
• Shelters: P.A.W.S. | H.A.R.T. | A Second Chance Ranch

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• Animal rescue groups aim for $35,000 in fundraising; Strut Your Mutt family walk and festival
• City launches inquiry into allegations of abuse at St. George Animal Shelter

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