Your Help is Needed – Sign the Petition Today!

It’s time to help homeless pets in MA by demanding that the state follow the ASV (Association of Shelter Veterinarians) national best practice standards and stop burdening shelters with regulations that go against what is national best practices so we can get more homeless pets in homes.

Did you know that Massachusetts is the ONLY state that makes shelters isolate pets from out of state for 48 hours even though they come in with health certificates?  This causes a huge financial burden to shelters and is against the national best practices because it causes undue stress on these pets with longer hold times in isolation before being allowed to be put up for adoption.

Did you know that when pet supply stores generously give a FREE adoption center within their building to shelters to bring in rescue animals to promote their adoption, the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture treats the animals as if they were owned by the pet supply stores and require shelters to pay for a vet exam every 7 days instead of what is in the shelter regulations?  Why?  These animals do not become pet supply store owned animals simply by being brought into the building. And no pet that has already been deemed healthy and ready for adoption needs to go to the vets every 7 days (instead of every 180 as is required in the shelter regulations).   This puts another unnecessary burden on shelters for financial costs.  These wonderful adoption centers in these stores are often a lifeline for shelter pets to get seen and adopted!

It is time for us to stand up for shelter pets.  So many pets are being euthanized in overcrowded shelters in other states when they could come to shelters with space in MA but shelters in MA cannot afford the 48 hold isolation facilities that are required.  No other state does this!

We want to see MA be like every other state in the country and welcome homeless pets into the state with a health certificate.  These health certificates are done by a veterinarian and state that the pet is healthy and can travel.  Every other state in the country accepts this without further burden of a 48 hour hold EXCEPT Massachusetts.

Shelter pet’s lives are at stake and we need to make a change.  Please help!  We need your signature today to demand change.  The longer this goes on, the more pets sit in shelters longer or worse never get a chance.

You can read the shelter regulations on the state of MA website to see just how burdensome they are, costing shelters and you the adopters more money, causes shelter pets to sit in shelters longer and to risk additional stress related illnesses on the pets and prevents shelters from helping more pets.  Shelters are now closing or on the brink of closing, free adoption space in pet supply stores go empty because they cannot afford these burdensome and unnecessary costs.  This leaves less space for pets at risk of euthanasia.

Your signature TODAY could make all the difference to get attention on this fight.  Shelters and rescues in MA live in fear of fighting back, animals need someone to fight for them, and this is the way we need to do it!  Thank you for helping and please spread the word!

How you can help: 1) Sign the petition, 2) Share this petition, 3) Demand change from your legislators, and 4) Get the word out to help shelter pets!

Thank you for helping shelter pets!

These two sweeties named Bugs Bunny and Leif came to Second Chance from a crowded Georgia shelter. They are both suffering from a very painful eye condition called entropion. This is when the eyelid is rolled in, causing the haired portion to rub the surface of the eye. You can see that poor Leif, the black cat on the right, has it much worse.

When they arrived, both had developed secondary infections which we’ve been treating. Now they are ready for their life-changing surgeries so they can get their ‘second chance.’ They are being cared for by our amazing Almost Home team who tell us that Bugs Bunny loves to ride on shoulders.

Bugs was able to get his surgery this week, but may need an additional surgery to fully correct the painful condition.

Please help them get the surgeries they need so they can be the amazing family pets they long to be. If you are able, please consider making a donation to help Bugs Bunny and Leif, and pets like them, to get the care they need.

Second Chance Looks Back at a Record-Breaking Year

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Second Chance Animal Services helped a record-breaking 44,017 pets to live better lives in 2022. We credit our caring and compassionate staff, volunteers, and supporters, but also the great need for help from area pets for the astounding results and know that there is still much work to be done.

Second Chance CEO and founder Sheryl Blancato is deeply grateful to everyone who made this possible. “I am probably biased, but I think we have the most amazing team of employees and volunteers anywhere. Our supporters truly care about animals. Many people don’t know this, but I personally open nearly all envelopes that arrive at Second Chance, and I’m heartened to read the beautiful notes that accompany some donations. We couldn’t do all that we do without the support of these three groups.”

Unfortunately, there’s no time to rest. Given the current economic climate, we know the need will only grow this year. Many are facing what can be called economic euthanasia. When people’s finances are limited and an emergency arises, they may not be able to afford a necessary surgery to stop the suffering. Second Chance has amazing surgeons at our hospitals that can perform these surgeries and we offer subsidized rates for those that qualify so that everyone can have access to the care they need.

Second Chance aims to always be ready to help. We aren’t just committed to keeping pets in their homes whenever possible. We are also an emergency partner for several agencies. Last year we helped with natural disasters and pets rescued from medical breeding facilities and the meat trade. We must keep fighting for pets in need.

For anyone wishing to help, donations can be made online at www.secondchanceanimals.org/help or by mail to Second Chance, PO Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515.