Peggy Case, a board member and volunteer for Hoof & Paw animal rescue, said the amount of trash donated to the thrift store in Naturita has become too big a burden for volunteers to deal with.
Sept. 13, a broken recliner was dumped, completely unusable. In the past, people have left broken kitchen tables, old mattresses, TVs that don’t work, kitchen appliances with missing parts and trash bags full of filthy items.
Case said sometimes the trash bags have clothes with mice feces on them, or smell like dog or cat urine. Sometimes insects crawl out of the trash bags. In the past, the bags have had shards of glass at the bottom, or even drug paraphernalia.
Besides the aforementioned being a serious health and safety risk, she said the thrift store cannot wash old clothes and make them presentable. Washers and dryers on the premises are for the shelter’s dog and cat blankets.
Case said donation guidelines are posted, and the rules are based off what Goodwill uses. There are signs outside the thrift store door too. She doesn’t understand why people who dump won’t follow the rules.
The last few years, Hoof & Paw volunteers have hauled off four truck and trailer loads of trash annually. They also have on site two dumpsters they fill every week full of waste. That costs time and money of the nonprofit run by volunteers.
Case said some volunteers don’t want to help anymore because of the stress of the trash.
Case said knowing donation rules is key. Second, calling the thrift store to announce a drop-off is also important. Many volunteers have health concerns and cannot be expected to unload heavy furniture or boxes. Those bringing a donation load should bring assistance to get their stuff off their truck. Additionally, volunteers need to inspect donations thoroughly. They cannot accept broken or dirty items.
“We have to be selective,” Case said, adding that Second Chance in Ridgway has the same policy.
Dumping outside of business hours is never OK, but volunteers can meet someone after-hours, if they call in and ask to donate after closing time.
Hoof & Paw will be installing cameras as soon as possible. The cameras are on site already and just need to be hung. It’s possible the nonprofit will press charges, if illegal dumping continues. Fines are possible.
The towns of Naturita and Nucla have town clean-up days. Case said people can take their trash there. Hoof & Paw, unfortunately, has been hauling many dumped items that others left at the thrift store for those clean-up days, but she said volunteers shouldn’t have to.
Case’s philosophy is that people should take trash where it belongs. And, she said as a general rule, if one wouldn’t give an item to their grandmother or buy it in its existing condition, they shouldn’t leave outside at the thrift store. It doesn’t help the animals at all.
At the same time, shoppers shouldn’t bring their canines to browse. That’s because dogs have peed in the thrift store, and sometimes on furniture the nonprofit is trying to sell.
All are invited to follow the Hoof & Paw Facebook page and to read the rules there. The new thrift store hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, and some Saturdays too.
The thrift store continues to need good, clean items to sell on behalf of the pets.
“We want to continue this service, and good sellable items do provide good income to help shelter animals,” Case said.
Not all donors leave junk. Case said some people bring in clean clothes nicely folded and really great furniture or decor that are sellable.
“We thank all of our respectful and responsible donors and shoppers for their continued support,” Case said. “We couldn’t stay open without them.”
She added the volunteers who keep the place going are “so amazing.”
