Animal Artisans is a new store that collaborates with animal rescue groups to showcase their missions and fundraise by selling goods donated by supporters. The boutique also creates an opportunity for local artisans to present their craft.

The store’s main goal is not only to raise money for local animal groups but also to use the store as a platform to continue to educate shoppers about current animal welfare issues and topics. To that end, it is also the home base of a non-profit organization called A Hand for a Paw.

A Hand for a Paw’s mission is to keep animals home and out of shelters. The founders used to run the Bridgeport Animal Shelter for over 7 years and vowed to do everything in their power to keep as many animals as possible from entering the doors of municipal animal control.

A Hand for a Paw provides mobile humane resources to the underserved communities in Bridgeport through a program called, Mobile Pet Solutions, which assists pet families with affordable vaccines, micro-chipping, a pet food pantry, and access to affordable professional assistance.

For more information, visit AnimalArtisans.org or Facebook.com/AnimalArtisans, email [email protected] or call 203-345-0564. Location: 187 Ferry Blvd, Stratford. See A Hand for a Paw Pet Resource Guide listing, page 49.