The Mount Alexander Animal Welfare group formed after the RSPCA announced in June last year it would close the Catlemaine animal shelter and it took over services five months later.

Group president Stephanie Miller said the shelter was full of cats and dogs, but the turnover was high with plenty of adoptions.

“It’s going so fantastically well,” she said. 

“We’re getting lots of donations because I think people know we are the community and volunteers.”

Fundraising has already began for the group’s goal to purchase the Langslow Street site from the RSPCA when their lease ends in 2020, and to replace the existing cattery.

The group is also teaming up with the RSPCA on Saturday to hold a clearance sale at the RSPCA’s Forest Street op shop.

The store has been closed since last year due to a shortage of volunteers and the RSPCA has not yet made a decision on the future of the Castlemaine premises.

RSPCA Victoria partnerships manager Helen Canny said it was terrific to be partnering with Mount Alexander Animal Welfare.

“We are pleased to have the support of MAAW volunteers who have agreed to offer their time to help us clear stock from the shop,” she said.

“We’re hoping to see plenty of op shop visitors walking away as happy shoppers with high-quality goods and the knowledge that their purchases have raised funds for animal welfare.”

The clearance sale will be held at 86 Forest Street from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, February 17, and both organisations will split the profits.

Mrs Miller said the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare group’s separate op shop in Barker Street helped to cover ongoing expenses at the shelter.

“It has kept us afloat,” she said.

“Without the op shop we wouldn’t be able to keep going.”