Second Chance prioritizing critical and emergency care services at their North Brookfield Community Veterinary Hospital
NORTH BROOKFIELD, Mass. – Second Chance Animal Services is prioritizing critical and emergency care services amid a national shortage of veterinarians.
Walking Off Leash – Virtual Book Signing Fundraiser
Here’s a chance to get a signed copy of Walking Off Leash mailed to your home.
Sheryl & Joe were planning to host their first book signing at Second Chance’s now postponed annual dinner auction. With 300 copies ready to go, they are making these copies available as a special fundraiser to help pets in need right now.
https://app.donorview.com/o467o
Purchase price: $22 (includes shipping and tax)
100% of the proceeds of Walking Off Leash will be donated to Second Chance to help pets in need in Massachusetts and beyond.
Paperback and eBooks editions are also available online through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Sheryl-Blancato/e/B085P2WDZ1
No Dog Days
Special guest blog post by Mike, Second Chance Volunteer
If you know me, you know I have a few passions, I love music, vegan food and most of all I love animals. I have been volunteering and working with animals for most of my adult life. Working at shelters, farm sanctuaries and tabling events as an advocate for animals. So, when Diane asked if I would like to write a post about what it is like not being able to volunteer at the shelter during these insane times. I thought it would be therapeutic at least.
Let me first tell you that I am in an essential business, the plumbing sales industry, so I have been able to get up and go to work up until recently when we had a positive test of an employee. I am now in quarantine, so until recently I have not had a lot of downtime. That said, not being able to volunteer has been dreadful for me. Besides the obvious things like feeling good about doing good or the sense of purpose that it gives me, I just simply miss getting to know the different animals at the shelter. I feel like I make a group of friends every time I walk in the door. Every dog I walk or kitty I pet, its like a level of socializing I just don’t get any other way. And though my cats Harry and Millie are extremely happy with my constant attention, I know how well they have been treated their whole lives. They have it pretty good. But connecting with a dog that has trouble trusting people or seeing dogs like Rocco and Yogi finally find a home, these are experiences you can’t get in any other way. To not have this in my life has been extremely difficult. I used to visit the shelter on Wednesdays on my day off and I can honestly say I can feel it every Wednesday when I wake up, because I can sleep a bit later now. I will lay and bed thinking at this time I would be walking a dog or playing with a kitten or even listening to the stories from the other volunteers or staff about their animals. Because, face it we could all talk about our pets for hours with no one even listening. So, again saying this has been a difficult time for me and I know many others would be a massive understatement.
I know that someday this will be over, and we can return to some version of “normal” and with so many challenges ahead I know this, I will not take the opportunity to help the voiceless for granted. Because they are not voiceless to me.
I wanted to close with this. I work with some older guys and some of them say that they don’t want to retire because “they wouldn’t know what to do with themselves”. I usually laugh at them. This is something I cannot relate to because I know exactly what I would be doing with all that time. I would be doing what I wish I could be doing with all this time now. Volunteering. Walking Dogs, petting kitties and doing my best to make sure all of them get a Second Chance.
I hope all of you are safe and healthy and know that we are all in this together…
Be Well!
Mike, Harry and Millie
Emergency Matching Gift Fundraiser
Second Chance is weathering the COVID-19 crisis and remains committed to the pets in our community.
We urgently need your help! Our hospitals remain open for emergency, urgent and chronic veterinary care. Our adoption center remains open to take in pets in need. Our pet food pantry remains open to supply much needed pet food to local food pantries.
So many of you reached out asking how to help. Your compassion is amazing. Right now, monetary donations are needed most, allowing us to quickly meet the most urgent needs of pets in our community. Your support will help pets now and after this crisis.
Up to $10,000 of donations will be matched by a generous donor, to help the pets that need help right now.
Thank you! ?❤️
Dr. Park’s Cloth Mask Tutorial
Last weekend, looking for a way to help, Dr. Park found a a pattern online to make cloth masks that we could use at Second Chance. We shared the pattern with volunteers who are making additional masks, allowing us to donate our supply of disposable masks to Harrington Hospital. Dr. Park created a tutorial for anyone looking to help create more masks. Download the tutorial here: Instructions for face mask with binding tape ties
Masks can be dropped off at our North Brookfield vet hospital, 372 N Main Street, North Brookfield in clear plastic bags marked MASKS.
Thank you to everyone supporting this effort. We are grateful to find a small way to support the healthcare professionals in our community who are on the frontline, caring for patients affected by COVID-19.
UPDATE 3/23/2020
Important Update for Anyone Coming to Our Vet Hospitals
In our continuing effort to keep our staff healthy to continue to serve your pets during these uncertain times, we have made the decision to restrict client access to our clinics. Effective immediately, only employees will be permitted inside our hospital. We will continue to see appointments and perform surgeries, but our protocols are being temporarily adjusted for the safety of all.
When you arrive in our parking lot with your pet, please let the staff person that will be monitoring the parking lot know you are there. You will be checked in by one of our staff. When we are ready to see your pet, one of our staff will retrieve the pet from you at your vehicle. You will have the opportunity to speak to the doctor over the phone regarding your pet’s appointment during the visit.
When the appointment is complete, one of our staff will bring your pet back to your car, along with any medications or products needed, and you will be checked out at your vehicle. It is imperative that we abide by the CDC guidelines for social distancing to prevent further spread of the disease and keep everyone healthy. The pets depend on our ability to assist you so please be patient during these trying times so we can keep everyone safe.
If you are picking up medication or food for your pet, the same protocol applies.
Please bring your own pen in for signing of any documents.
IF YOU ARE ILL with respiratory issues, please do not come for your appointment. Please follow CDC guidelines and reschedule your appointment. If this is a pet medical emergency please alert staff from outside the building and we will assist your pet.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. However the safety of you, our staff, and your pet are our utmost concern. We hope you understand our desire to keep everyone healthy and to keep the clinics open to help keep the pets healthy.
Thank you,
Sheryl Blancato, CEO
Caring for your pet during the COVID-19 pandemic
A reminder from Second Chance to make sure your pet is prepared too. Ensure you have enough food, litter, medication and additional supplies. Decide who can care for your pet if you are unable to.
If you do get sick, the CDC website has important information including caring for your pet – current recommendations including limiting contact with your pet and having another family member care for the pet, if possible.
Visit the CDC website for up-to-date information: https://www.cdc.gov/
COVID-19 Advice for Pet Owners
There is currently no evidence that domestic animals can develop disease from the COVID-19 virus or, if infected, transmit it to other animals or people.
Nonetheless, we would like to offer some precautions that we and other veterinary professionals recommend pet families keep in mind as the situation with COVID-19 continues to develop:
- Remember to keep your pets needs in mind when implementing your emergency preparedness plan. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) recommends “animal owners should continue to include pets and other animals in their emergency preparedness planning, including keeping a two-week supply of food and medications on hand.”
- Take this opportunity to remind your family that while we all love snuggling with our pets, practicing good hygiene is important. Even though we have no evidence that our pets can carry and transmit COVID-19, there are other diseases that can be passed from domestic animals to humans. Wash your hands after petting, playing or interacting with your pet.
- While there is no clear evidence that pets are able to transmit the COVID-19 virus, the CDC recommends that people sick with the virus or COVID-like symptoms avoid caring for their pets if possible. If you must care for your pet, limit contact and wash your hands BEFORE and AFTER pet interactions in an attempt to limit exposure for your pet.
- In an abundance of caution, if you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, please alert your veterinarian before having your pet seen for any health concerns. If it is possible your pet is contaminated with coronavirus, we don’t yet know whether veterinary hospital staff could be exposed to the COVID-19 virus when working with pets that had contact with exposed owners. It is best to discuss by phone how your veterinarian can best assist you and your pet while still protecting the staff in the event that your animal needs immediate medical attention.
Our Medical Director, Dr. Amy Alwood, provides additional information about COVID-19 and the corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) below:
Scott Weese is a leading international infectious disease specialist and veterinarian. For more information about why animals may be affected differently, check out his blog: https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2020/02/articles/animals/cats/covid-2-and-potential-animal-hosts/
Other good resources to monitor include:
- Other entries on Dr. Weese’s blog https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/resources-pets/
- The client education site: Veterinary Partner (https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=9548687)
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