Volunteers arrived on Tuesday morning to a mountain of mostly clothing 1m high, along the entire length of the building.
"It’s probably the worst we’ve ever seen," Trish Sheridan said.
More and more donated goods, especially clothing, were arriving that were unsaleable.
Store manager Lorraine Davidson said one of the biggest problems was pet hair and odour.
"We get clothing from houses with dogs and they absolutely stink. Some are covered in cat hair. There’s also a lot of rubbish that people don't want to pay to dump."
A recent dump run cost the organisation $71, which took money away from the community, Mrs Davidson said.
"The Westland District Council gives us no help whatsoever. We used to get free dumping but not now."
Volunteers were taking home bags to dispose of in their own bins, but that was not sustainable.
The problem worsened when the SPCA Op Shop stopped accepting donations of clothing before Christmas.
Mrs Davidson said people were just leaving goods piled around the building overnight. If it rained the clothes got wet and could not be sold.
"We prefer people to bring things in during working hours rather than just piling it up outside."
Volunteers had also come across hypodermic needles, a waffle maker with the mixture still inside, and rotten food.
"It is disheartening. And we have to pay to go and dump it."
Mrs Davidson said that cost took away from its charity work with the community, helping those in need from Hokitika to Haast.
They were considering installing cameras, which was another cost.
"We’ve got the wiring in for cameras."
To keep on top of the surplus clothing, the shop is continuing with the $2 sale started at Christmas. Every item of adult clothing is $2, while people can fill a bag of children’s clothes and shoes for $3.
"Our school clothes at the moment are free. We’re not charging for any school uniforms that get donated because we realise families are struggling." — Hokitika Guardian
By Janna Sherman
