In March, Southern Paw Partners, Inc. (doing business as Thrifty Paws Boutique in West Columbia) is awarding Protecting Animal Welfare (PAW) grants to several animal rescue groups in the Midlands area.

These groups include Animal Protection League, Animal Rescue Carolina, Basset Rescue Crew of the SE (BaRSCE), Cullen’s Archangel Rescue (CARE), Final Victory Animal Rescue, Heartworm Project, Homeward Bound Pet Rescue, Hoppy Hearts SC, Safe Cats Coalition, Sunset Felines and We are Zeus.

A total of $6,000 will be donated for the first half of 2025.

Southern Paw Partners, Inc. is a non-profit that runs Thrifty Paws Boutique, a charitable thrift store that raises funds for animal rescue and welfare in the Midlands area. The store’s proceeds are distributed to animal rescue organizations through a grant process. Since its founding, Southern Paw Partners has donated over $156,000 to 40 different animal rescue groups.

Teresa Smith, the executive director and founder of Southern Paw Partners, said, “Our little thrift boutique is successfully turning the public’s gently used and new merchandise donations into proceeds that support some of the smaller animal rescue organizations helping them save abandoned, neglected and abused animals. Gently used and new donations of merchandise are always welcome but we truly succeed when folks shop with us.”

Thrifty Paws Boutique is at 1230 C Ave. in West Columbia.