For media inquiries and logos in other formats, please contact our President & Co-founder, Tanya Mahrous at tanya@secondlifeatlanta.org.

We own all photos – unless photo credit is given on specific pictures.


Our Mission and Cause

We are not a rescue group.  Instead, our mission is to help many of the wonderful groups doing great things to save lives and to help spay/neuter programs prevent unwanted dogs and cats from being born.  When we opened, we decided not to open a rescue that would take a piece of the limited funding…but instead, to spread it around. Read more about our cause and mission here.


Recent Media Articles and Mentions

Atlanta Journal Constitution – AJC (January 2024): Everyday Heroes: Tanya Mahrous & Toby Tobias

Atlanta Journal Constitution – AJC (December 2022): Upscale thrift store donates over $2 million to pet charities

Shoutout Atlanta (November 2022): Meet Tanya Mahrous | Co-Founder, Second Life

The Chamption Newspaper (September 2022): Thrift Store Owners Donate $2 million to animal charities

Atlanta Pet Life (March 2019): Nonprofit Raises $1.25 Million for Animals in Need

Decaturish (March 2018):  Second Life thrift store in Avondale raises $1 million for animal rescue

AJCOnline (March 2018):  Avondale Estates thrift shop donates $1 million to save pets


Our Founders: Tanya and Toby

Second Life was started by a husband & wife who wanted to combine their passion for helping homeless animals and their love of finding bargains into a retail concept.  Their goal was to create a community-focused resale store that would raise money to help animal rescue groups continue to save more lives, while also educating about adopting rescues and shelters animals. Read more about them here.


Our Inspiration: Lucky

Our rescued Dalmatian, Lucky, was the inspiration for our stores. Lucky was our first Chief Smile Officer and loved to sit in his corner. Customers loved our sweet boy and we joke he kept us in business our first year…while we were still building and growing our store. Read more about him here.


Our Chief Smile Officer: Riley

Riley crossed the Rainbow Bridge on October 17, 2021. Riley joined our family in 2012, 3 months after Lucky passed away. He is our second Chief Smile Officer and liked to roam the store where he got ear rubs and wagged his nub to get what he wanted. Read more about him here.


Our Main Store: Opened January 8, 2011

Our 5,000+ square foot Main Store opened in 2011 and sells gently-used clothing, housewares, electronics, décor, books, and more!  The store is geared to the bargain shopper and animal lovers- with fun animal motifs painted on the back wall, rescue and shelter information posted throughout the store. Learn more about the store that started it all here.


Our Furniture, Decor & More Store:  
Opened November 19, 2013

INDEFINITEY CLOSED. Our Furniture, Décor and More store opened in November 2013 and is located next door.  It features furniture, artwork, lamps, décor, vintage and collectibles.  It’s a more intimate shopping experience and you never know what you might find!  Learn more about this store here.


Our Mission: Promote Pet Adoption & Spay/Neuter

While our stores are the most visible part of our organization,  we are more than a store.  Second Life is a charity organization focused on:

  • promoting pet adoption and our love of rescue pets
  • educating families about being responsible pet parents
  • providing resources for other groups to help families keep their pets and to promote their animals up for adoption

Our Foster Cats