Animal Care Society’s Potpourri Shoppe, Mathews, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has provided financial support for needy animals throughout the Middle Peninsula in southeastern Virginia since 1978.

Located on Mathews Main Street, across from Mathews Memorial Library, the Potpourri Shoppe is open Thursdays from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The gift shop is operated by only nine volunteers. Animal Care Society is always looking for more volunteers to donate their time to help run the shop.

Items available for purchase at the Potpourri Shoppe include kitchenware, tableware, small furniture, jewelry, artwork, pottery, antiques, knickknacks, lamps, linens and more. All merchandise is donated by the public.

Animal Care uses the income that it generates from the Potpourri Shoppe to give monthly donations to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society and its low-cost spay/neuter clinic. It also uses the money to give small, no interest loans for individuals to have their pet spayed or neutered, vaccinated or to help with emergency veterinary care for their pets.

“If you’ve never had a loan with us or have paid your loan off to us we will help regardless of income,” said Diana More, president of ACS. “We ask them to pay us as little as $10 a month.” However, Animal Care Society does not require pet owners to pay back euthanasia fees.

In 2019, the Animal Care Society donated $21,600 to animals in need.

“I love the people. I love doing retail. I love doing these loans,” said More.

To keep up with Animal Care Society, follow it on Facebook.