Kim Sill, Founder of Shelter Hope Pet Shop
Name: Kim Sill
Founder: Shelter Hope Pet Shop
Who is Kim Sill?
Kim Sill, founder of Shelter Hope Pet Shop (pet store “selling” shelter animals), has saved over 15,000 dogs and cats since opening her store, in 2011. Kim started the movement across the U.S. of converting pet stores, that sell puppy mill dogs, to pet stores only “selling” shelter animals. She’s been undercover with Cesar Millan (“Inside Puppy Mills” on National Geographic) and produced a documentary, “Saved in America,” which documented her journey in the animal rescue world through her undercover investigations and protests.
In less than three sentences tell us about your company and what you do.
Shelter Hope Pet Shop is a non-profit, all-volunteer pet store featuring shelter animals. Our mission is to support Los Angeles animal care centers, promote education and raise awareness of homeless animals in the community. The Shelter Hope business model is the first-of-its-kind, dedicated to eliminating puppy mill pet shops by offering a friendly environment where the public can interact with adoptable animals in need of a home.
What does BEING a FoundHer mean to you?
Being a FoundHer has an enormous responsibility and I take it very seriously. I have integrated community partners to sustain my business model and I strive to work with other females in elevating our success. In addition, our volunteer programs include underprivileged kids and adults, which not only helps educate people about the pet overpopulation crisis in America but also helps the animals directly in need.
How do you support other female founders and women in business?
Once a month, in our weekly newsletter, we acknowledge a female-owned business or volunteer who has helped make a difference for our animals. We always encourage those who read our newsletter to support the businesses that support us (which include our groomer, doggy boarding facility and veterinarian, all females. Shelter Hope also has an all-female staff.
At what point did you make your company a full time gig? How did you know the time was right?
After a year in business, the increased demand from the public to see adoptable animals in a friendly environment resulted in my need to be at Shelter Hope full time.
What is something you do differently from the industry standard?
We started the movement, the new pet store, the one that ONLY showcases shelter animals. We woke up America by converting the first pet shop (that sold dogs from puppy mills) to only "selling" shelter animals.
Did you raise capital? What was the process and avenue you chose to take?
The first and most important thing needed to start Shelter Hope, was to find a space big enough to showcase about 30 animals a day, and a generous donation to start my endeavor... since capital is not an easy "get" for nonprofits (especially for a business model that has never been done before).
My eye was set on Janss Marketplace, a mall with vacant retail spaces. Armed with a proposal in hand that would not only saving thousands of animals but one that would also bring thousands of new customers to the mall, I met with the owner and convinced him to donate a space. Shelter Hope Pet Shop was officially off the ground.
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