Last week, two cats were abandoned in a urine-filled crate left at our mailbox in broad daylight. Thankfully, they were discovered right away and are now safe in our care, but this heartbreaking act highlights a painful truth: animal shelters across Massachusetts are overwhelmed, and pets are paying the price.

Our hearts break knowing that someone felt they had no choice but to leave those cats behind. We understand how overwhelming it can feel when you’re struggling and don’t know where to turn. But leaving a pet alone is never safe. It puts them at great risk, and under the law, it is considered abandonment. Most importantly, it does not guarantee that your pet will get the help they need.

Right now, every shelter in the state is stretched beyond capacity. We have faced the agonizing reality of having to turn away young litters of kittens because no foster homes were available. Imagine being forced to say “no” to tiny, fragile lives simply because there was nowhere safe for them to go. That’s the crisis we are in.

The truth is, this isn’t just about shelters—it’s about our community. Every time a pet is left at our door, another pet waiting for help is delayed. We want to help every single animal, but without more foster homes, our hands are tied.

Foster families save lives. When you open your home temporarily, you create space for another pet to enter our shelter. Whether it’s a litter of kittens who need bottle feeding, a cat recovering from surgery, or a dog who just needs a safe place to rest, fosters give us the ability to say “yes” to a pet in need.

If you’ve ever considered fostering, now is the time. Our community needs you. The animals need you. And we will support you every step of the way with training, supplies, and a team ready to answer questions.

Learn more about becoming a foster and sign up here: www.secondchanceanimals.org/foster-care/

Together, we can make sure no pet is left without safety, care, and hope.