animal, Author at Second Chance Animals

100 Pet Challenge

You can help keep 100 pets out of shelters…and with the people they love.

One of saddest things is watching a pet owner walk out a shelter door in tears, leaving behind a bewildered and often scared pet they love, but could not afford to keep. Second Chance is more than just a shelter, providing access to affordable veterinary care, a pet food pantry program and more to help keep people and pets together.

Since the shelter was founded 22 years ago, time and again owners coming to our shelter door to say goodbye to a beloved pet told us they could not afford to keep their pet. Some could not afford veterinary bills when their pet was suddenly taken ill, others had lost a job or a spouse and could no longer provide basic care and food. For seniors on fixed incomes, veterinary care for an ill pet can quickly add up beyond their budget. Covid has wreaked havoc on many household budgets. With your help, pets can get the help they need and stay with the people they love.

Second Chance Community Veterinary Hospitals provide access to affordable veterinary care to underserved communities and brings services directly to pets in the community through the Homebound to the Rescue program and local vaccine clinics. Our pet food pantry program distributes pet food to local food pantries so no pet goes hungry.We created this special challenge for the Global Giving Accelerator. From now through April 23, our project will be vying for bonus prizes. When you make a donation through this post, you can help Second Chance secure additional funds so we can help as many pets as possible.

Ready to Adopt? Get the Inside Scoop

Adoption Center Supervisor Aimee offers advice for would-be adopters

Lately we are hearing how difficult it can be to find a pet to adopt. With people spending more time at home, pets are being adopted faster than ever before. We recognize how frustrating searching for that special new family member can be right now, so we’re here with the inside scoop on how our adoption process works.

Did you know that the adoption page of our website is live? That means the animals you see listed under our adoption pages are exactly who we have available. The moment a pet is adopted they no longer appear on the site, so we recommend checking frequently.

Small biographies are created for each animal as we learn their personalities. It is a good idea to read these biographies closely before heading to the shelter. Sometimes pets require special arrangements such as no other animals or no children, or even no beards! In these instances, we have learned what frightens a dog or cat most and will actively avoid placing the animal in a home that will cause them stress.

Adoptions are on a first-come-first-serve basis because the adoption process hinges on a face-to-face interview. We need to see everyone who will be living with the animal interact to make sure everyone gets along. Once you are in an interview area with an animal, our focus is on how the animal reacts to you. We’re hoping to see positive interaction: wiggly tail wags from the pups or purring head boops from the cats. From you we are hoping to see patience and a friendly demeanor that invites the animal’s trust. This sometimes takes a while.

If you have another dog, we do require the two animals to meet. Some animal personalities simply don’t mesh and we want to be sure both dogs get along to move forward. Nobody wants a dog fight in their home and we need to be reasonably certain of everyone’s safety.

Assuming the pet interview goes well, we do same day adoptions, so you can expect to go home with your new family member provided all requirements have been met. If you rent, we need to see proof from your landlord that you have permission to bring an animal home. The adoption survey can be done through our website or in person, and our adoption fees are based on age.

We do our best to match personalities but keep in mind that the kennel is not like a home environment for these animals. Their whole lives have turned topsy-turvy. It is going to take some time and care before their true colors begin to shine. That calm dog here in the kennel could become the most exuberant creature in your home.

We love each animal that enters our care and want to be certain they find their perfect forever home. Sometimes, however, an adoption does not work out which is why we have a lifetime return policy. If you have questions or needs after an animal goes home, please feel free to call us. If we don’t answer the phone right away, it just means we’re busy feeding or cleaning the animals in our care. Leave a message and we’ll get right back to you! We’re here to help.

This is why we do what we do…

Caring for some very special pets.

CHANCE

One-year-old Chance came to Second Chance in need of so much help. This poor pup was so uncomfortable. He was born with entropion – a genetic abnormality that made his eyelids curl in, causing hair to rub on the surface of his eyes. He was so uncomfortable. He also suffered from ear infections his whole life, which scarred his ear canals so badly that we could not even fit a q-tip into his ear canal. His ears were very painful from the scarring and recurrent ear infection.

Second Chance surgeon Dr. Kristen Cormier has been helping Chance – performing surgery to correct the entropion followed by a total ear canal ablation surgery. This TECA surgery involves the complete removal of the ear canal, leaving only the flap (pinna) to make Chance much more comfortable.

Update from Chance’s surgeon, Dr. Cormier.

“Chance went to his foster home yesterday! Before he left I went to say goodbye and he gave me his paw and held it there as a thank you 😊 It’s hard to see but it was so sweet and sincere. He is much more comfortable and playing like a puppy now.”

Chance’s surgeries were extensive but seeing this sweet dog so happy yesterday makes it all worth it and is a perfect example of why we do what we do.

TURNER

Two-year-old Turner recently came to Second Chance from an overcrowded shelter in Georgia. Dr. Jackie tells us he also suffers from entropion – his lower eyelids are curling in so hair is rubbing on the surface of his eyes. He is very sweet, despite how uncomfortable he must be.

He’s scheduled him for surgery next week so he can finally be free of pain from this condition. After recovery, he will be available for adoption.

We are so grateful to be able to help pets like Chance and Turner thanks to the support of generous donors. You can help give a pet with extensive medical needs a ‘second chance’ by making a donation today.

SECOND CHANCE RECEIVES $70,000 GRANT FROM PETSMART CHARITIES® TO HELP MORE HOMELESS PETS

GIVING SHELTER PETS THE BEST CHANCE

EAST BROOKFIELD, MA – January 27, 2021 – Second Chance Animal Services has received a $70,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to help prepare more shelter pets for adoption and ensure they are ready to find loving homes. This grant will assist in providing veterinary care to homeless pets so they can get the ‘second chance’ they deserve.

With three full-service veterinary hospitals and a transport quarantine facility, Second Chance is uniquely qualified to help at-risk homeless pets.

“We are grateful for the continued support of PetSmart Charities in our work to help pets in need,” said Second Chance Development Director Lindsay Doray. “So many pets come through our transport program after sitting in overcrowded shelters across the country. Here in Massachusetts, we have many families hoping to find a new family pet. These funds will help us to update vaccinations and provide spay neuter surgeries and veterinary care so each pet can start their new life with their new family.”

“Second Chance Animal Services continues to provide critical care to shelter pets, effectively reducing the homeless pet population and shortening their shelter stay,” said Johnny Jenkins, associate relationship manager at PetSmart Charities. ‘We are proud to support this work that will give homeless pets the best chance at finding loving homes.”

Since 1994, through its partnership with nearly 4,000 humane societies, SPCAs and pet rescues across North America, PetSmart Charities has helped more than 9.5 million pets to find loving homes via its in-store adoption program in over 1,650 PetSmart® stores. The leading funder of animal welfare has also donated nearly $430 million to positively impact communities, to help preserve families, to improve access to veterinary care and to connect people and pets through initiatives like this with Second Chance.

Second Chance helps over 40,000 pets each year through a variety of programs. For more information on Second Chance, visit www.secondchanceanimals.org.

May – A Project Good Dog Success Story

“As the coordinator for Project Good Dog at the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office I have seen many dogs in need come through our door, none more frightened and shut down than May. May was a seven month old Hound mix who Second Chance rescued from an unfortunate situation that left her with extreme anxiety caused by the trauma she experienced at such a young age. May was fearful of everyone and everything. Going outdoors, just three steps down the hall, was like running a marathon for her. When she finally did get outside she would do backflips on the leash trying to get back in. We couldn’t get her to eat, to come out of her crate, to interact at all.

I was so afraid we wouldn’t be able to help her, shedding tears over this poor puppy, not knowing what to do for her. Then one day I climbed in her crate with her to say goodnight – yeah I wasn’t giving up on this girl – and Miss May gave me kisses! I was so shocked and it was at that moment I knew she would be okay.

Gradually with plenty of patience, time and consistency May came out of her shell and grew to trust us. Every small accomplishment by May made all of us at Project Good Dog so happy as we knew how difficult it was for her and how far she’d come. When she barked for the first time we all erupted in cheers. When she began to play with the other dogs we looked on in silent awe of this strong, beautiful girl. In the eleven weeks May spent at Project Good Dog she learned not only her basic commands, but how to have fun, how to trust, how to love. She learned how to truly be a dog.

Fast forward five years and May is amazing, living in her forever home with me! I just couldn’t let her go when she completed the program, I knew she needed me. As it turned out I needed her just as much. Today May is silly, quirky, affectionate and playful. She loves to go outside in her yard and she is an absolute nut for food of all kinds! May makes me laugh every day, and with her strength and resilience she has taught me so much more than I could ever teach her. I truly have no idea where May would be without Second Chance and Project Good Dog.”

Second Chance’s Project Good Dog pairs behaviorally needy shelter dogs with inmates who provide them with 24/7 care and training. They work with the dogs on socialization, basic obedience, housebreaking, and sometimes a trick or two. Not only does it provide benefits to the dogs but it also has positive results for the handlers who learn patience, compassion, responsibility. Many of the inmates say that it also gives them a focus while they transition back into the community. The training the dogs receive while in the program helps them to be more adoptable and stay in their homes. We asked the handlers how they felt about the program and the responses were all positive.

Jan 2021 Newsletter

Please Help Give Two Special Pups a ‘Second Chance”

It may be the holiday, but we’re helping two special pups who need a ‘second chance.’

Emma came to Second Chance in December after both her owners passed away and family was unable to keep her. This sweet girl is facing some serious health challenges. She will need to undergo surgery to have several masses removed and then undergo treatment for heartworm disease before she can find her forever home.

UPDATE: Emma had her surgery and is doing well. She will be heading home very soon with her new foster to adopt family! When Emma completes her heartworm treatment, she can be officially adopted.

UPDATE 2/13/21:

Emma’s foster sent us a wonderful update this week. Emma is doing great. She has lots of company and she’s fitting in.

Her foster plans to adopt Emma when she completes her heartworm treatment.

Thank you to everyone for your support for this sweet girl!

Please donate now to help give Emma a ‘second chance.’

Dimples is a sweet 3 month old puppy with a dislocated and broken hip. She was rescued from an overcrowded shelter in Alabama that did not have the means to help her. She flew to Massachusetts so Second Chance can help give Dimples a ‘second chance.’ We are hopeful that our surgeons can repair the joint at our North Brookfield hospital. We won’t know how extensive the damage is until we perform the surgery. Dimples may need additional care from a specialist.
Her surgery is scheduled for Monday, December 28th.

UPDATE:

Dimples had a successful surgery late Monday and was resting comfortably after her Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy. Her femoral neck was already broken all the way through and had a lot of inflammation and some scar tissue build up in the joint that had to be removed to get to the surgical site. Dimples is now recovering at home with one of our amazing fosters! There is some concern for the other femur. She could develop the same necrosis or deterioration of the femoral neck on the other side so we will be rechecking her in the next weeks.

UPDATE: 2/8/21: Dimples had her recheck and our vets cleared her for adoption. She was officially adopted by her foster this month. She’s pictured here stopping by for a nail trim before adoption day. Thank you so much for your support!

Please donate now to help give Dimples a ‘second chance.’

Thank You

We are humbled! Thank you for voting Second Chance Animal Services BEST NON-PROFIT in the 2020 Best of Central Mass.

Congratulations to our very own Dr. Jackie Celmer, finalist for BEST VETERINARIAN.

We are so proud of the work Dr. Jackie and all our caring and compassionate veterinarians do each day, providing access to world class veterinary care for all. Your support helps our doctors keep pets in their homes with the people who love them. Thank you!

Aug 2020 Newsletter

How is your pet handling the pandemic?

For some pets, having the family at home all the time has been a dream come true — more play time, perhaps more treats, and a lot more walks. For some other pets, too much of a good thing has been way too much, and they want their house back. Second Chance Animal Services is reminding pet owners to think about how the changes brought on by COVID-19 have impacted their pet.

We all need downtime, and pets are no different. Especially in larger households or families with young children, pets may need a break from the activity, noise, and attention. Having someplace quiet to escape for a break is a good idea for pets in these homes if possible. If you find your pet wandering away from the action to take a nap, let them be for a while.

Pet owners should be on the lookout for signs of stress in their pet like excessive licking and chewing, whining, or destructive behavior or accidents in the house. Any new behavior can be a clue that something’s amiss. If the behavior continues, pet owners should talk to their veterinarian to help address the issue.

Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato is also reminding pet owners to help their pet adjust as people return to work. “Consider adjusting your schedule slowly or have a friend or family member check on them if that’s an option. Pets thrive on routine, so every time you have to change that routine, be patient.”

Blancato was thrilled to see how many pets were adopted from Second Chance as stay-at-home restrictions were put in place. “It was an ideal time for pets to be welcomed into a family. Now, as those families may be spending less time at home, we hope adopters will help their new pets adjust to the change.”

For those who have been home with their pets this whole time, Second Chance Medical Director Grace Park recommends taking steps to teach the pet to be alone again, or for the first time with newly adopted pets. “This can include leaving them home alone for a short period and gradually extending the length of time you are out. As you head out the door, you can reward calm behavior with a special treat. A peanut-butter-filled Kong or a food-dispensing puzzle toy is great if your pet is unable to destroy them.”

Most of all, Blancato and Park urge pet owners to remain understanding and not rush to surrender their pet if they return home to an accident or chewed-up shoe. With a little time and training, the pet can adjust to the new schedule. Pet owners who think their pet may need extra support can reach out to their veterinarian for help.

« First ‹ Prev 14 15 161718 19 Next ›