The polished display of Ark Antiques at 7620 Girard Ave. exudes all the allure and sophistication of a high-end boutique. But the consignment antique shop and nonprofit corporation, powered by more than 50 volunteers, has a mission that extends beyond elegance. All of the store’s nearly $1.5 million annual proceeds, after rent and managerial expenses, benefit animal charities both locally and nationwide. Grants can range from $500 to $15,000 or more and help cover veterinary and capital expenses for groups like Friends of County Animal Shelters (FOCAS), Spay-Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP), United Pegasus, Operation Greyhound and Project Wildlife. “I call it a win-win situation,” store manager Daisy Fitzgerald said. “Customers have a way to sell items safely and purchase things of value, and of course it all benefits the animals.” In extreme circumstances, the staff goes above and beyond the call of duty. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the staff flew three volunteers out to New Orleans to set up and aid animal shelters. When wildfires raged in East County in 2003, the group provided an emergency donation to deliver food and medical resources to rehabilitate animals that were stranded or injured. Ark Antique’s collection consists exclusively of donations and consignment items. “We’re not dealers, so we don’t buy anything,” owner Elizabeth Davison said. The store’s merchandise can range from an $8 teacup to $25,000 for a diamond ring or $30,000 for an antique Venetian latrine, “and everything in between,” Davison said. Sales come predominantly from crystal, china, jewelry, artwork and furniture, Davison said. “We have a really eclectic collection of paintings and prints,” she said. About 20 percent of the items are donated, and the rest are submitted on consignment — when they sell, the original owner receives 60 percent of the selling price and Ark Antiques keeps 40 percent. While Davison said items are priced “competitively,” they seek a balance that will deter dealers and leave quality finds for the general public. “We try to price so that shoppers can come in and feel they’ve gotten a good deal, but so that it would be a stretch for dealers,” she said. However, Fitzgerald added, “We do have a nice clientele of both dealers and decorators.” Prices are determined through a pricing committee, also comprised of volunteers, who do extensive research to determine each item’s worth. Davison and Fitzgerald regularly recruit local experts for advice on the value of gems and jewelry, paintings and Oriental rugs, for example. They also refer to an extensive reference library and various art organizations. “We try to find out what things are really worth,” Davison said. Davison and Fitzgerald maintain high standards for the store’s contents, they said. “We receive a lot of beautiful things because of our location,” Davison said. “We also try to display things nicely as though they were in a home. People tend to come in and linger because of the nice environment and pleasant ambiance.” Davison, who enjoys decorating, designs the displays herself. “Some people like to feel as though they’ve dug around and discovered some hidden treasure,” she said. “But we try to help people imagine how things will look in a home, and we think visitors prefer to see things peacefully and elegantly arranged rather than haphazardly jumbled together.” Of course, both Fitzgerald and Davison — and their crew of volunteers — also share a passion for their furry friends. “We like animals better than most people,” Fitzgerald joked. Her own brood includes a silky terrier, Eddy, and a cockatiel, Ricky. “I only have two dogs right now, but I’ve been known to have five at a time,” Davison said, referring to Noah and Lily, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, who she said were “rejected” because they didn’t meet show dog standards. For more information, call Ark Antiques at (858) 459-7755 or visit Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.