About

Where Shopping Saves Lives

Every treasure tells a story. Every purchase saves an animal.

What started as a surprise hit upscale yard sale in June 2023 has blossomed into something the North Fork has never seen before. Betty's Boutique brought our community together around a simple but powerful idea: the beautiful things we no longer need can become lifelines for animals who need us most.

The magic began when Marja Ames, who runs Ames Feline Adoption & Rescue with her husband David, discovered just how much our community wanted to give back. Her yard sale fundraisers for feral cat rescue caught fire, and when North Fork Animal Welfare League saw the potential, they knew they had to be part of it. What followed exceeded everyone's expectations.

Named after Marja and David's discerning cat Betty, our boutique offers an experience unlike any thrift shop you've visited. Think village boutique meets treasure hunt, where brand-name clothing, jewelry, home décor, furniture, and carefully curated finds await discovery. With the inspiration that Marja's mother Hilkka brought and the dedicated volunteers who work hard to bring that vision to light, every sale feels special because it is. The meticulous attention to sorting, pricing, and display transforms donated items into boutique-worthy treasures.

The results speak for themselves: In our first year, six events raised approximately $47,000. In 2024, another six events brought in $58,000. And in 2025? We raised over $61,000 with just four events. That's $166,000+ for animals in need—and 100% of every dollar goes directly to North Fork Animal Welfare League. No overhead, no middlemen, just pure community support translating into animal lives saved.

Now we're taking Betty's Boutique beyond the in-person events. Noel Chhut, Greenport resident since 2004 and NFAWL volunteer (you might know him as "Weekend Dog Dad"), saw an opportunity to amplify this success. With his technology expertise, he's helping us reach more animal lovers while creating a sustainable, year-round revenue stream that builds on our proven track record.

This is where your love of a good find meets your love of animals. Every item you purchase helps NFAWL bring more animals in on life-saving transports, provide exceptional medical care, and prepare them for their forever homes.

Shop with purpose. Give with heart. Change lives, one treasure at a time.