What do you do with a good idea? Team up to keep it going!

When financial times got tough at the nonprofit AniMall Pet Adoption & Outreach Center in Cary, there were only two options: Abandon its mission to save homeless animals, or find a partner to help.

Enter Amy and J.P. Phinney, the owners of locally-owned Unleashed, the Dog & Cat Store, with locations in Cary, Raleigh and Wilmington that all host adoption events, including a large rescue event each spring at the N.C. State Fairgrounds.

“When we met with Kim (Labow, executive director of AniMall), she was so passionate about keeping AniMall going and continuing the mission to help homeless pets get adopted, that we couldn’t say no,” said Amy Phinney.

Unleashed has now assumed the overhead for AniMall, which operates at Cary Towne Center. The new partnership, dubbed Unleashed at AniMall, will allow AniMall to continue its work and expand its adoption and outreach on behalf of homeless animals.

“Unleashed will focus on the retail operations and bring the inventory and customer service to this space that the rest of our locations are known for,” Phinney said. “All sales will go toward the expenses of keeping AniMall open and focused on getting adoptable animals back in the center, and hosting adoption events.

“Everyone involved in the new Unleashed at AniMall partnership is excited to see the space reach its full potential,” she said. “In its history, AniMall has helped find homes for nearly 10,000 animals. We hope that combined, we can find homes for tens of thousands more.”

To adopt, shop or volunteer at Unleashed for AniMall, visit the store, see animall.org or sign up at unleashedmutt.com.