Shelter Shop

What Shelter Shop does

Shelter Hope Pet Shop is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue organization founded in 2011 by Kim Sill, operating a single retail and adoption storefront at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, California. Since inception the organization reports rescuing and rehoming more than 15,000 dogs and cats, combining adoption services, pet-related merchandise sales, and donation-based fundraising into a single mall-based operating model. It has no paid staff, with all operations sustained by volunteers.

The business model is hybrid: adoption fees and merchandise sales provide transactional revenue, while donations (including those channeled through sub-brands such as the PeeWee Fund and Phillis's Fosters) fund ongoing rescue operations. The organization maintains partnerships with NewMark Merrill (mall operator providing its storefront), Lucy Pet Foundation, Last Chance for Animals, Pet Food Express, and celebrity endorser Cesar Millan. Its activities extend beyond local rescue into policy advocacy — most notably influencing Los Angeles County laws on pet store animal sourcing in 2019, producing the 2015 documentary "Saved In America," and launching a 2026 "Truth About Fake Rescue" initiative aimed at eliminating puppy mill pet shops in malls nationwide. The Shelter Hope Project reportedly transports rescued dogs out of state for adoption placement, giving the operation a geographic reach that exceeds its single-store physical footprint.

Name

Shelter Shop

Legal name

Shelter Hope Pet Shop

Website

https://shelterhopepetshop.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Shelter Hope Pet Shop is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a single mall-based rescue, adoption, and pet retail storefront in Thousand Oaks, California, founded in 2011 and responsible for rehoming over 15,000 dogs and cats since inception.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Animal Rescue Services

NAICS

Pet and Pet Supplies Retailers (45991), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (812910)

SIC

Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945)

akta.pro primary industry

Animal Shelters & Adoption Services (BPAGAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Animal Shelters & Rescue Operations (AFAEALAB), Pet Toys & Enrichment Retail (CRALAHAE)

Keywords

• Animal rescue services
• Pet adoption services
• Non-profit pet retail
• Shelter pet adoption
• Volunteer pet shop

Headquarters

HQ city

Thousand Oaks

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted via PayPal, phone, and Amazon Smile. Primary funding source for the volunteer-run non-profit.
2. Merchandise Sales: Pet merchandise sold in-store with proceeds directly supporting animal rescue operations. Visitors can purchase pet supplies knowing revenue goes to help homeless pets.
3. Adoption Fees: Fees charged for pet adoptions. Amount varies depending on the animal and care requirements. Special sponsorship programs for veterans and seniors cover adoption fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Shelter Hope Pet Shop is a volunteer-run, non-profit pet shop operating at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, CA, that showcases shelter and rescue animals for in-store adoption. The organization matches adoptable dogs and cats with individual adopters through an interview-based process, supported by pet merchandise sales whose proceeds fund animal rescue operations. It also runs specialized programs including the PeeWee Fund for senior and medical-needs dogs, the Veterans and Seniors Adoption Sponsorship program, and the Phillis's Fosters foster program.

Product overview

Shelter Hope Pet Shop is a volunteer-run non-profit organization operating as a unique retail adoption center. The core offering is an in-store shelter pet adoption service where visitors can meet and adopt rescue animals, supported by pet merchandise sales. The organization runs multiple programs including the PeeWee Fund for senior/medical dogs, a Veterans and Seniors Adoption Sponsorship program, a Foster Program (Phillis's Fosters), and the broader Shelter Hope Project that transfers animals from high-kill shelters nationwide. Over 15,000 dogs and cats have been saved since the shop opened in 2011.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PeeWee Fund: A fund created in memory of PeeWee (Kim Sill's dog) to help senior dogs with medical issues since the organization opened in 2011.
• Phillis's Fosters
• Saved In America

Products and services

• Shelter Hope Pet Shop Adoptions A volunteer-based, non-profit pet shop that showcases shelter and rescue animals for in-store adoption at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, CA. Visitors meet and interact with animals needing adoption and complete an adoption questionnaire and interview process. All newly adopted pets receive a collar, tag, harness, leash, free vet visit, free grooming, and a bag of food.
• Pet Merchandise Store Sale of pet merchandise and supplies at the Shelter Hope Pet Shop retail location, with proceeds going directly back to help save more animals in need.
• PeeWee Fund A medical fund dedicated to saving senior dogs and dogs with medical issues who need special care before they can be adopted, covering veterinary expenses and fostering costs.
• Veterans and Seniors Adoption Sponsorship A weekly sponsorship program that sponsors the complete adoption of one dog for a veteran or senior, providing the adoption fee, food, bed, collar, leash, and a free veterinarian visit.
• Phillis's Fosters (Foster Program) A foster-to-adopt program that allows volunteers to temporarily care for dogs until they are ready for in-store adoption, enabling people to save a dog's life without a long-term commitment.
• Shelter Hope Project A comprehensive shelter support program that transfers dogs from overcrowded, high-kill shelters to locations throughout the country where they are adopted into permanent, loving homes, and supports monthly spay days for low-income communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 15,000 dogs and cats saved since opening in 2011
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NewMark MerrillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner that donates storefront space in busy shopping locations. Enables Shelter Hope's unique business model of having a pet shop presence in malls. Critical partnership that makes the retail adoption model possible.
• Pet Food ExpresscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner supporting animal rescue operations. Listed as one of the businesses proudly partnered with to help save more animals in need.
• Indiana Bones and Temple of GroomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPet-related service business in Thousand Oaks. Community partner offering free or discounted services for pets adopted through Shelter Hope.
• Lucy Pet FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization with their Rose Parade float featuring surfing wave machine for dogs. Co-hosted events at Rotary Street Fair. Shared mission of animal rescue and welfare.
• Diana LudlinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndividual partner supporting the Shelter Hope mission and animal rescue efforts.
• Last Chance for AnimalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnimal rights organization Kim Sill worked undercover with for four years investigating pet shops selling puppy mill dogs. Collaborative investigative work that gained national attention.
• Cesar Millan / The Dog WhisperercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKim Sill worked with Cesar Millan on The Dog Whisperer, gaining national attention. Footage of undercover puppy mill investigations resulted in hour-long TV show. Cesar Millan appears in documentary 'Saved In America'.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Paws of War: Nonprofit that pairs rescue animals with veterans — directly comparable to Shelter Hope's weekly Veterans Adoption Sponsorship program covering fees, supplies, and vet visits.
• Petfinder: Online pet adoption marketplace that Shelter Hope already lists on. Comparable in that it channels adopters to rescue animals, though Petfinder is a digital platform rather than a physical retail adoption center.
• Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare nonprofit operating sanctuaries, adoption centers, and transport programs. Highly comparable mission and operating model to Shelter Hope, with similar advocacy against puppy mills and reliance on donations and volunteers.
• Lucy Pet Foundation: Animal welfare nonprofit that runs spay/neuter clinics and adoption events; Shelter Hope lists it as a core partner. Comparable in operating model, event-driven fundraising, and rescue mission.
• Maddie's Fund: Family foundation funding no-kill animal sheltering, community lifesaving programs, and pet adoption initiatives. Closely aligned with Shelter Hope's mission of increasing adoptions out of shelters and supporting medical-needs animals.
• Last Chance for Animals: Animal rights organization where founder Kim Sill worked undercover investigating puppy mills. Shares the same anti-puppy-mill advocacy DNA and documentary-style campaign approach that drove Shelter Hope's origin story.

Broad incumbents

• Greater Good Charities: Charity that funds shelter pet adoptions, medical care, and food programs. Comparable in donation-driven model supporting senior and special-needs animals, akin to Shelter Hope's PeeWee Fund.
• PetSmart Charities: Affiliated nonprofit of a major pet retailer that funds adoption programs, in-store adoption events, and shelter grants. Operates at the intersection of pet retail and rescue that Shelter Hope also occupies.
• ASPCA: Large, established animal welfare organization with national advocacy, rescue operations, and adoption programs. Broader scope and scale than Shelter Hope but pursues overlapping goals of reducing shelter euthanasia and replacing puppy mill supply.
• Humane Society of the United States: National animal welfare advocacy and rescue organization. Operates broader policy, legal, and shelter support programs that parallel Shelter Hope's legislative advocacy work (e.g., California puppy mill ban).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ShelterHopeProject
• Facebookfacebook.com/ShelterHopePetShop
• Instagraminstagram.com/shelterhope_petshop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/shelter-shop

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Shelter Shop