'Paws and More' dog rescue shop opens on Castle Street

Paws and More is a standalone shop that gives all profits to dog rescue – particularly groups that are lesser known and lack support.

Behind it all is Jacqui Honour, 63, from Amesbury, and Barbara Emery, 69, from Verwood. Having met through their passion for animal rescue, it only seemed right that they took this project on together.

Before Paws and More opened, the pair already took their fundraising to events like village fairs and selling items online but as their collection grew, they had no space to keep it in one place.

Barbara said: “It started out with three containers of goods, and Jacqui said, I could really do with a shop to try and shift some of this – and that’s how it all started.”

The shop accepts donations of good-quality items, and Jacqui and Barbara pride themselves in the quality and range they have in-store.

As well as the shop, they also take donations for dogs who are in need. Once a month, a van goes to Bosnia and takes donations of towels, beds, coats, toys – anything that may support a dog, as long as it’s clean.

In her free time, Barbara makes dog beds from materials like bedding and curtains. They are sold in the shop and are also taken to dogs in other countries.

Jacqui said: “For me it’s not just about one rescue, it’s about every dog that needs help.”

They help to rehome dogs both in the UK and internationally, and a few of the dogs that have been helped are pictured on a wall, alongside their rehoming stories.

In their shop, which has been open since Saturday, April, 20, Jacqui and Barbara love to welcome dogs into the shop.

Jacqui said: “We are very dog friendly – we love seeing the dogs. And every dog that comes in has to have his photograph taken and have a treat – we’ve always got treats!”

They are asking people to make the effort to pop in when they are walking past, or in Salisbury.

She added: “For all the dog lovers out there, we would really like for you to come and support us. Because unfortunately, there are a lot of dogs out there that don’t have the kind of homes that we give our dogs.

We need people to come in for the shop to keep going, and we want to help the dogs who have nothing.”

Paws and More are in the process of setting up a Facebook page, but in the meantime, for more information pay a visit or give Jacqui a call on 07824 644167.

Jacqui wanted to clarify that Paws and More is not a registered charity but the shop's proceeds go towards both registered and non-registered dog rescue charities. She added that she's happy to explain this process in-store.

Their opening hours are Tuesday - Friday, 10am – 2pm and Saturday, 10am – 4pm.