Excitement and compassion filled the air in Parkwood as supporters gathered to celebrate a new chapter for Woodrock Animal Rescue… One that blends sustainable style with second chances.

Hosted at Byron Thomas Properties in Parkwood, the official opening of the Woodrock Thrift Store on February 18 was a chance for guests to explore a thoughtfully curated selection of pre-loved fashion, homeware, books, and toys, all in support of animals in need.

Read more: Woodrock opens new thrift store in Parkwood

“We really wanted to be in the right area, somewhere close to residential communities,” explained Jacqui Martheze of Woodrock Rescue. “Being in Parkwood allows us to connect directly with families.”

That connection matters. Behind the rails of carefully curated clothing and shelves stacked with books and toys lies a sobering reality: It costs roughly R1m a month to keep the rescue running. Every sale, whether it’s a vintage dress, a baby grower, or a gently used coffee table book, feeds directly back into the shelter’s work.

Woodrock rescues, rehabilitates, and rehomes animals, while also running outreach programmes in surrounding communities. The organisation sterilises more than 150 dogs each month at its own expense. Medical emergencies are frequent and costly.

“Sterilisation is only part of the picture. Many animals come in sick and require additional treatment. This morning, I received a call about a cat that had swallowed a bone and needed emergency surgery. That’s the reality we face.”

The thrift store was born out of both necessity and vision, an additional income stream to support the rescue’s clinic and welfare initiatives, while also addressing the growing problem of overconsumption.

Craig Jacobs, from Woodrock’s media team and founder of designer label Fundudzi by Craig Jacobs, believes fashion can be both expressive and responsible. “Clothing is one of the largest contributors to landfill waste globally. People wear items only a handful of times and then discard them. We’re giving those pieces a second life, and, in doing so, helping animals.”

Also read: Parkview Market shines through the afternoon rain in support of local charity

What sets the Parkwood store apart is its blend of everyday affordability and designer flair.

A newly introduced local design section was inspired by a generous donation from Linda Gale, of Johannesburg-based brand Asatsi. The contribution sparked the creation of a dedicated space celebrating homegrown creativity.

Designers, such as Imprint, have also donated previous-season pieces, offering shoppers the rare chance to purchase authentic designer garments at thrift-store prices, all while supporting rescue work.

Woodrock is already well known for its popular puppy pop-ups at Nine Yards, where countless dogs have found their forever families. The thrift store builds on that spirit, offering a way to contribute without necessarily adopting.

“You don’t have to take home a dog or cat to make a difference,” Jacobs said. “You can donate, shop, participate in fundraising initiatives, or simply tell someone about what we do.”

Open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 16:00, and Saturdays from 09:00 to 14:00, Woodrock Thrift Parkwood is, at its core, about community. It is about turning wardrobes into welfare, clutter into care, and fashion into funding.

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