New "Fetching Finds" Thrift Store to Help Ashtabula County APL Care for Growing Number of Animals
Community invited to donate supplies now and gently used items to help launch new "thrift with purpose" store
ASHTABULA, Ohio — Every great thrift store has hidden treasures. Soon, Ashtabula County's newest thrift store will offer something even more valuable: the opportunity to help save the lives of homeless, neglected and abused animals.
The Ashtabula County Animal Protective League (ACAPL) today announced the upcoming opening of Fetching Finds – Thrift with Purpose, a nonprofit thrift store at 3410 N. Ridge Road East in Ashtabula. Every donation and every purchase will directly support the organization's mission of providing shelter, medical care and second chances for animals throughout Ashtabula County.
The store plans to open this Autumn.
"We are incredibly excited to bring Fetching Finds to our community," said Catena Shore, Executive Director of the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League. "Every item donated and every purchase made will help provide food, shelter, veterinary care and hope for animals who have nowhere else to turn. It's a simple way for our community to make a lasting difference."
Community Help Needed Before Opening
Before opening its doors, the ACAPL is asking the community to help prepare the store by donating supplies needed to organize, clean and display merchandise. While the store-front is being worked on, the organization asks the community to bring their donations around the back of the building. Donors will pull on to Dickenson Rd. off of RT. 20, right past the JD Byryder lot where there is a gravel drive/parking lot to pull in. There is a garage door that will be open and staff ready to accept donations. Fetching Finds will begin accepting donations at the back of the building on August 3. Donation hours will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Donations needed include:
Store Supplies
● Storage bins
● Office supplies
● Shelving and display racks
Cleaning Supplies
● Disinfectant sprays and wipes
● Paper towels
● Microfiber cloths
● Small buckets
● Lint shavers or rollers
● Shoe wipes
● Tide pens and OxiClean spray
● Fabric refresher spray
● Goo Gone
● Magic Erasers and sponges
● Scrub brushes
● Heavy-duty trash bags
● Rubber gloves
● Hand sanitizer
● Spray bottles
Donations of Merchandise
Also beginning Aug. 3, Fetching Finds will begin accepting gently used and new merchandise to stock the store.
Accepted items include:
● In-season clothing and shoes for women, men and children
● Accessories, including jewelry, scarves, hats and purses
● Household goods and kitchenware
● Home décor, artwork and decorative items
● Books, games and toys (plush toys must be new)
● Linens, blankets and rugs in excellent condition
● Vintage items and collectibles
● Craft supplies
● Seasonal and holiday décor
● Electronics in working condition
● Hand tools (nothing gas powered)
● Non-upholstered furniture from non-smoking homes (drop-off appointment required)
The store cannot accept large appliances, building materials, obsolete electronics, baby equipment such as cribs or car seats, mattresses, bed frames, food, hygiene products, exercise equipment, sports equipment, lawn equipment, large or gas-powered tools, oversized or upholstered furniture, firearms or ammunition.
Questions regarding donations may be directed to [email protected].
Every Purchase Helps an Animal
Unlike a traditional thrift store, proceeds from Fetching Finds will directly support the Ashtabula County APL's growing animal welfare programs, including shelter and adoption services, veterinary care, humane investigations, foster care and pet retention initiatives.
Demand for those services continues to grow.
Earlier this year, the ACAPL launched its Humane Investigations Department to enforce laws protecting animals from cruelty, neglect and abandonment. The organization also introduced Pawsitive Pathways, a temporary foster care program that helps families facing short-term hardships keep their pets by providing care until they can be reunited.
So far in 2026, the ACAPL has taken in 387 cats and 181 dogs, while finding loving homes for 245 cats and 128 dogs.
Today, the average cost to rescue, medically treat, house, and prepare a dog for adoption is approximately 15 times higher than the adoption fee. Caring for a cat costs approximately $200, with adoption fees ranging from $75 to $100. Adoption fees cover only a fraction of the actual cost of care, making community support more important than ever.
"Fetching Finds creates another meaningful way for people to support our mission," Shore said. "Whether you're donating items you no longer need, shopping for a unique bargain or simply helping spread the word, you're giving animals the care and second chances they deserve."
About the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League
The Ashtabula County Animal Protective League is dedicated to protecting animals from cruelty, preventing animal suffering, promoting responsible pet ownership, and connecting animals with loving homes. Through sheltering, adoption, humane investigations, foster care and community assistance programs, the ACAPL works every day to improve the lives of animals and the people who care for them.
The Ashtabula County Animal Protective League (ACAPL) today announced the upcoming opening of Fetching Finds – Thrift with Purpose, a nonprofit thrift store at 3410 N. Ridge Road East in Ashtabula. Every donation and every purchase will directly support the organization's mission of providing shelter, medical care and second chances for animals throughout Ashtabula County.
The store plans to open this Autumn.
"We are incredibly excited to bring Fetching Finds to our community," said Catena Shore, Executive Director of the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League. "Every item donated and every purchase made will help provide food, shelter, veterinary care and hope for animals who have nowhere else to turn. It's a simple way for our community to make a lasting difference."
Community Help Needed Before Opening
Before opening its doors, the ACAPL is asking the community to help prepare the store by donating supplies needed to organize, clean and display merchandise. While the store-front is being worked on, the organization asks the community to bring their donations around the back of the building. Donors will pull on to Dickenson Rd. off of RT. 20, right past the JD Byryder lot where there is a gravel drive/parking lot to pull in. There is a garage door that will be open and staff ready to accept donations. Fetching Finds will begin accepting donations at the back of the building on August 3. Donation hours will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from noon to 4 p.m. Donations needed include:
Store Supplies
● Storage bins
● Office supplies
● Shelving and display racks
Cleaning Supplies
● Disinfectant sprays and wipes
● Paper towels
● Microfiber cloths
● Small buckets
● Lint shavers or rollers
● Shoe wipes
● Tide pens and OxiClean spray
● Fabric refresher spray
● Goo Gone
● Magic Erasers and sponges
● Scrub brushes
● Heavy-duty trash bags
● Rubber gloves
● Hand sanitizer
● Spray bottles
Donations of Merchandise
Also beginning Aug. 3, Fetching Finds will begin accepting gently used and new merchandise to stock the store.
Accepted items include:
● In-season clothing and shoes for women, men and children
● Accessories, including jewelry, scarves, hats and purses
● Household goods and kitchenware
● Home décor, artwork and decorative items
● Books, games and toys (plush toys must be new)
● Linens, blankets and rugs in excellent condition
● Vintage items and collectibles
● Craft supplies
● Seasonal and holiday décor
● Electronics in working condition
● Hand tools (nothing gas powered)
● Non-upholstered furniture from non-smoking homes (drop-off appointment required)
The store cannot accept large appliances, building materials, obsolete electronics, baby equipment such as cribs or car seats, mattresses, bed frames, food, hygiene products, exercise equipment, sports equipment, lawn equipment, large or gas-powered tools, oversized or upholstered furniture, firearms or ammunition.
Questions regarding donations may be directed to [email protected].
Every Purchase Helps an Animal
Unlike a traditional thrift store, proceeds from Fetching Finds will directly support the Ashtabula County APL's growing animal welfare programs, including shelter and adoption services, veterinary care, humane investigations, foster care and pet retention initiatives.
Demand for those services continues to grow.
Earlier this year, the ACAPL launched its Humane Investigations Department to enforce laws protecting animals from cruelty, neglect and abandonment. The organization also introduced Pawsitive Pathways, a temporary foster care program that helps families facing short-term hardships keep their pets by providing care until they can be reunited.
So far in 2026, the ACAPL has taken in 387 cats and 181 dogs, while finding loving homes for 245 cats and 128 dogs.
Today, the average cost to rescue, medically treat, house, and prepare a dog for adoption is approximately 15 times higher than the adoption fee. Caring for a cat costs approximately $200, with adoption fees ranging from $75 to $100. Adoption fees cover only a fraction of the actual cost of care, making community support more important than ever.
"Fetching Finds creates another meaningful way for people to support our mission," Shore said. "Whether you're donating items you no longer need, shopping for a unique bargain or simply helping spread the word, you're giving animals the care and second chances they deserve."
About the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League
The Ashtabula County Animal Protective League is dedicated to protecting animals from cruelty, preventing animal suffering, promoting responsible pet ownership, and connecting animals with loving homes. Through sheltering, adoption, humane investigations, foster care and community assistance programs, the ACAPL works every day to improve the lives of animals and the people who care for them.
