It has been approximately 50 years since a group of concerned and dedicated
people met to find a way to help families on the North Oregon Coast improve the
lives of cats and dogs.
In 1963 a group of local citizens formed the North Coast Animal Haven
Association. In 1965 the original thrift shop was started in a shed. By 1973 the
Association was registered as a non-profit organization. It included all of Clatsop
County. The goal was to build a shelter for unwanted pets.
In the early 80’s all of the organizations’s funds, except for a few dollars, were
used to build a small animal haven. Lacking support from the cities and county, it
failed within a few months. During this time a few dollars were used to help in
spaying and neutering. All the money was derived from the thrift shop.
In November of 1986, receiving no support from North Clatsop County, the by-laws
and charter were revised, changing our name to Tri Cities Spay and Neuter
Association. The goal was to assist in the spaying and neutering of animals in
Seaside, Gearhart, Cannon Beach, the county shelter, and all of School District #10.
Meanwhile the thrift shop moved to its present location at 600 Broadway #6 (on
the Necanicum River).
We revised and adopted formal by-laws in 1993, stating our goals, being more
specific in regard to running the Association. A board of directors was elected. All
finances were derived from thrift shop sales and a few monetary donations. The
thrift shop was operated by volunteers.
The spring and summer of 2001 found us a bit cramped for space in our single
suite so we decided to expand into the space next door (part of the Sundial Travel
area which was not being used). The new section gave us more space to display
clothing while leaving the old section for housewares, bedding, books, tools, and
shoes. It gave us more work and storage space. Approximately four years later we
expanded a second time giving us the three rooms we now occupy. (This was the
other half of the Sundial Travel area which had been used by various business
during those four years.) This third section now includes children’s clothes and
toys, decorative items, and small appliances. In 2013 we moved one of the walls in
our sorting area. This gave us more room to receive donations.
In March of 2012 we decided to offer our spay and neuter certificates to all the
residents of Clatsop County. That same year we purchased a used truck for picking up and delivering donations.
In 2013 we hired a manager to help move us forward
and to alleviate some of the many responsibilities being done by the officers.
We are now connecting with people via the internet. (Currently Tri Cities Spay and
Neuter Thrift Shop is doing business as Spay and Neuter Thrift Shop of Seaside,
Oregon.) Visit our Facebook page (Spay and Neuter Thrift Shop), check out our
website at www.seasidespayandneuterthriftshop.com, or contact us at
spayandneuterthriftshop@gmail.com.
The Spay and Neuter Thrift Shop continues to supply the residents of Clatsop
county with clean, affordable clothing and household items, but most especially,
certificates for the spaying and neutering of cats and dogs. (In 2013 we provided
1121 certificates for $45,245.00. In 2014 we funded 970 certificates for
$29,100.00.) We also assist the Clatsop County Animal Shelter with spaying and
neutering and provide the South County Food Bank with a small stipend for pet
food.
We operate with an all volunteer organization with the exception of a paid
bookkeeper. In 2014 we made the decision to forgo the manager’s position and
have a manager for each day of the week. We now have a Work Force cashier who
is paid through the Work Force progam. We welcome and continue to receive
donations of all kinds, although extremely large items are often difficult to display.
Community members can continue to help by providing us with clean, usable
clothing and small household items or by volunteering in some capacity.
Our winter house are 10 – 4 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The
shop is open on Sunday’s from 11 – 3 from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Wednesdays are reserved for cleaning and sorting.
We would like to thank our many volunteers and contributors who have made the
past 50 plus years successful allowing us to spay and neuter thousands of cats
and dogs in Clatsop County.
Help us celebrate over 50 years of spaying and neutering by stopping by to
volunteer, shop, or just say hello.
Cheryle Barker
President
Spay and Neuter Thrift Shop of Seaside, Oregon
Cheryle Barker
Spay and Neuter Thrift Shop
of Seaside, Oregon
The Historic Gilbert District 