Cauz for Pawz has opened in its new home on Avenue B

Text and photos by Stacie Joy 

Good news for local thrifters and animal lovers: Cauz for Pawz has moved to a new storefront, and now calls the East Village home at 199 Avenue B between 12th and 13th Streets.

We stopped by on opening day this past Saturday, and the store was buzzing. 

Shoppers browsed the $5 racks and flipped through the curated section of clothing while chatting with manager Cathryn Duhigg (below, right), who has a background in fashion and was busy helping customers style looks. Assistant manager Rebecca Carroll (below, left) kept things flowing at the counter, ringing up purchases and swapping stories between transactions.

The move from their previous First Avenue space across from Stuy Town marks a new chapter for the nonprofit thrift store. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, Cauz for Pawz continues its mission as a 501(c)(3) organization supporting animals and their companions.

Proceeds benefit the group's five-borough feeding program, which provides food — including specialty options like kidney- or urinary-care formulas — for pets whose owners are struggling financially. 

"People will oftentimes feed their pets before they feed themselves," Carroll said, noting how meaningful the support can be for participants. 

Cauz for Pawz also assists volunteers who care for feral cat colonies through the city's TNR (trap, neuter, return) program. 

The shop accepts community donations — clothes, shoes, handbags, jewelry and pet food — which help sustain both the boutique and its outreach work. 

As Duhigg accepted two large bags of donated goods, she smiled and said, "We will grow this shop here, for the community."

Store hours: Monday–Wednesday, noon–6 p.m.; Thursday–Saturday, noon–7 p.m.; Sunday, noon–5 p.m.

You can follow the shop on Instagram: @cauzforpawzthriftboutique.

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