Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Roeger. Them and their team share their story with us below:
Demi’s Animal Rescue was started by Demi Merritt when she was just 14 years old. In 2014, the organization grew to a total of five working board members who continued to grow the rescue. Our focus has always been trying to help the animals most in need and a few years ago, the Demi’s Animal Rescue Thrift Store & Cat Lodge dream came into the picture which would allow us to save more animals from the thrift store income, as well as focus even more on the at-risk cat population and provide a safe, public platform to showcase these amazing cats who just need to be given a chance. 2020 was not the ideal time to have our ideas and plans come together, but we were determined to make it happen and began the search for the perfect space. On August 14th, 2021, Demi’s Animal Rescue officially opened Demi’s Animal Rescue Thrift Store & Cat Lodge! The rescue is thriving as is the thrift store- we have been able to save almost 100 at-risk cats through the Cat Lodge alone in the last year!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been an easy road! Our biggest challenge was finding a landlord willing to rent space to a non-profit organization that did not have an individual financially backing any risk, as well as one willing to allow cat adoptions on the premise. We saw several buildings and met with several landlords who were not willing to take on the risk, regardless of our ten years of organizational history and financial stability at the time.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Demi’s Animal Rescue Thrift Store and Cat Lodge was created to provide a safe space for high-risk cats to be rehabilitated and given a platform to be highlighted to the public for adoption. We provide everyday, unique and vintage items for purchase to support our goal of reducing adult and senior cats entering Colorado shelters and lowering euthanasia rates.
Although we will continue to save ALL dogs and cats through our existing foster program, our adoption center (The Cat Lodge) is dedicated to housing specific groups of cats that we have identified as overlooked and in need. The adoption center consists of two free-roaming cat rooms and focuses on providing a space for senior cats, bonded pairs, under-socialized cats, black cats, FIV-positive cats and more. These are cat populations that have high euthanization rates in shelters, are easily overlooked, or are not provided the opportunity they need to thrive in the shelter due to the stressful environment. Due to the nature of a free-roaming space, we are not able to accommodate cats with highly contagious diseases or cat aggressive cats in the center but will continue to try to provide for those cats in our foster program as we are able to.
Tied to our animal rescue, Demi’s Animal Rescue – we believe strongly across both businesses in helping the animals that others may overlook, as well as helping owners in keeping their pets, which many organizations do not necessarily focus on. We believe in putting forth every effort possible in helping an animal along their journey to a forever home, whether it is behavioral training or extensive vet work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.demisanimalrescue.com/thrift
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/darthriftco / https://www.instagram.com/demisanimalrescue
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DARthrift / https://www.facebook.com/demisanimalrescue
