A new charity shop, which is focused on raising money to help support stray and abandoned dogs and cats, is celebrating its first month in Leamington,

Global Paws Rescue is the charity shop for Save Our Stray Dogs, a UK-registered independent charity.

The shop officially opened on 15 August 2026 on Clemens Street in the town.

With no large organisation or financial backing behind the team, it is shop owner Reena Atwal's passion to make a difference that has driven the project from the beginning.

Funds raised from the shop will help with veterinary treatment, food, sterilisation and neutering, both locally and in India. Reena shared a particular aim is to help stray animals in rural villages in Punjab where there is little or no access to animal hospitals or veterinary care.

For Reena, the shop isn't simply about selling donated items, every purchase can help give an animal a second chance.

Speaking about what the shop means for the charity and local community, Reena expressed: "The shop gives us a way to raise funds ourselves and become more sustainable. I also hope it becomes part of the local community, somewhere people can shop, donate, volunteer and learn more about the animals we are helping."

Shoppers in store can expect to find a range of items from clothing, shoes, handbags, accessories, books, DVDs, toys, games, homeware and bric-a-brac.

Quality and premium branded donations are also being welcomed, so the stock is always changing.

Having opened just over a month ago, the shop has already received donations and stopped by to find out more about the charity and the motivations behind it.

"We are still a new charity and building our customer and volunteer base, so every person who supports us really does make a difference" shared Reena.

In terms of donations, the store is open to hearing from local businesses with end-of-line, surplus or discontinued stock they can donate.

Volunteers are also being welcomed, to support with serving customers, sorting donations, organising stock and spreading the word.

Anyone interested can get in touch or visit the store on 39 Clemens Street.

Looking forward, Reena shared her hopes for the shop over the next year include building a name for the new independent charity, which she noted "can be challenging when competing for customers and donations with charities that have been established and well known for many years."

"It will take time to build awareness and a regular customer base, but i'm not giving up . I want to build a strong volunteer team, develop relationships with local businesses and raise as much as possible to help animals" added Reena.

As a single mum who works work full-time as a Postmistress, starting the charity shop has been a huge commitment for Reena.

However, she is grateful for the support she has received, especially from the local community. "I want to say a massive thank you to my Lillington Post Office customers, who understood my passion for helping animals and generously donated so many items to help me get the shop started" said Reena.

She added: "I also want to thank my family and our amazing volunteers for all their support.

"This shop has been built through the generosity of ordinary people who simply wanted to help. It may be a small independent charity, but we have a big heart and we are not giving up."