The CARL Thrift Store is a great way to help CARL raise needed funds.
by Carol Leish
“CARL makes a lifetime commitment to every dog in their program,” according to their website: www.carldog.org. “CARL was established in 1996 in Ventura County,” according to, Talisa Garcia, volunteer since 2018, who is a board member and the captain of the Outreach Team. “It was started as, and continues to be, a no-kill, all breeds rescue.”
Services provided by CARL, according to Garcia include: “Having a boarding facility that is located in Santa Paula to board both dogs and cats. We also have both kennel and foster sanctuary dogs. The focus is to make sure that all dogs are given the best life that we can give to them during their time in the rescue facility. Many of our dogs do get adopted into their forever homes.”
“During the pandemic,” according to Garcia, “we have been struggling with the loss of supporting finances. Our boutique thrift store in Ventura was initially closed because it was deemed non-essential. The store provides funding for our rescue, allowing CARL to save more homeless dogs. Another source of funding is our pet care center located in Sant Paula, which provides boarding for dogs and cats. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and a huge drop in people going out of town, our boarding center has seen a significant loss.”
Ways of helping out CARL during the pandemic include, according to Garcia, “Shopping or donating now at our thrift store, which is now open. Store hours are: 11am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday. Their address is 2750 E. Main St., Ste. B, in Ventura. Their phone number is (805) 677-9111. Recyclables can be dropped off at 901 Mission Rock Rd. in Santa Paula. Cans and plastic bottles are turned in and the money raised goes back into the upkeep and maintenance of the kennel grounds. The community can sponsor a dog monthly, and the steps to do this can be found on the website: www.carldog.org; or, by calling (805) 644-7387. Signing up to foster allows the rescue to take in more dogs looking for homes. Using Amazon Smile to benefit CARL is another simple way to help our rescue. CARL also has an Amazon Wish List, that is also on our website.”
Remember that, according to Garcia, “CARL is committed to any/every dog in the program. Once a dog is adopted out, and for whatever reason they need to come back, CARL welcomes them back with open arms, no questions asked. Not only does CARL have adoptable dogs, it also has both kennel and foster sanctuary dogs. Dogs are given the best life that we can give to them during their time here.”
