Events Archives - Second Chance Animals

Meet our PAWTRIOTS Draft Prospects for Saturday’s Dog Adoption Event at Gillette Stadium

Five lucky Second Chance pups will be heading to Gillette tomorrow, hoping to be drafted into a loving family. Could it be yours?

Click HERE to learn more about these amazing pups!

Pawtriots Dog Adoption • Dog Celebration & Draft Watch Party

April 25 | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Sports Illustrated Pavilion, Gillette Stadium

Join the Kraft Family and the Patriots Foundation at Gillette Stadium for the first Pawtriots Dog Adoption & Watch Party! Enjoy a paw‑some afternoon where you’ll meet adoptable dogs from local shelters and have the chance to put a Pawtriot on your roster. The event features appearances by Patriots alumni and cheerleaders, plus food, beverages, giveaways, raffles, and shop Pawtriots merchandise while you watch the 2026 NFL Draft.

Fans are also encouraged to bring pet food, toys, collars, and leashes to support local shelters.

With zero cap hit and maximum tail wags, these lovable free agents are ready to sign their furever deals.

Low-Cost Vaccine Clinics Coming to a Town Near You

Community Vaccine Clinics: Affordable Care, Right in Your Neighborhood

Keeping your pet up to date on vaccines is one of the most important steps you can take to protect their health. But we know that cost, transportation, and busy schedules can sometimes make it difficult to access care.

That’s why we bring low-cost vaccine clinics directly into local communities. These clinics are designed to make lifesaving vaccines more accessible for pets and the people who love them.

Why Vaccines Matter

Vaccines protect pets from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvovirus. They also help keep entire communities safe by reducing the spread of illness among animals.

Even if your pet spends most of their time indoors, staying current on vaccines is still important.

What to Expect at a Community Vaccine Clinic

At most clinics, services include:

Low-cost rabies vaccines
Free or reduced-cost distemper/parvo vaccines at select clinics
Low-cost microchipping
NEW this year – Some clinics now offer Leptospirosis vaccines

Upcoming Clinic Dates & Locations

April 25 in Fitchburg – made possible in part by Petco Love

May 2 in Holden – made possible in part by Petco Love

May 8 in West Springfield – made possible in part by Petco Love, Teddy Bear Pools & Spas, and the City of West Springfield

May 9 in Gardner – made possible by Petco Love and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts

May 22 in Holyoke – made possible in part by Petco Love, Teddy Bear Pools & Spas, and the City of Holyoke

May 23 in Barre – made possible by Petco Love and the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts

May 30 in Spencer – made possible in part by Petco Love

More dates are added frequently, so check back often.

Weekly Clinics at Our Hospitals

In addition to our community events, we also offer weekly low-cost vaccine clinics at our hospital locations, making it even easier to keep your pet on schedule year-round.

Making Care Accessible

Our ability to offer these clinics at reduced pricing is made possible through partnerships with organizations, municipalities, and supporters who share our commitment to accessible veterinary care.

These collaborations allow us to reach pets who might otherwise go without critical preventive services.

A Simple Step That Makes a Big Difference

If you’re not sure when your pet was last vaccinated, now is a great time to check their records. Staying up to date is one of the easiest ways to help your pet live a longer, healthier life.

When care is accessible, pets stay healthier, families stay together, and communities grow stronger.

Take a Peek at Puppy Yoga with the Goldens

They’ve found homes, but you can still take a peek at last month’s Puppy Yoga at Timberyard Brewing Company featuring our Golden rescue.

Sign up for the November 1 Puppy Yoga

10 Lucky Pups Heading to Foxborough for the Pawtriots “TailGate” Adoption Event October 19th

Join Second Chance at the Patriots Foundation Pawtriots “TailGate” Oct. 19 at Patriot Place — football, family fun, and adoptable dogs await!

Second Chance is teaming up with the New England Patriots Foundation and the Kraft family for the Pawtriots “TailGate” at Patriot Place on Sunday, October 19! Join us for a fun-filled day of football, family activities, and adoptable dogs looking for their forever homes.

We’re deeply grateful to the Patriots Foundation for shining a spotlight on shelter pets and helping more animals find the love and care they deserve. Events like this make such a difference, not just for the pets who find homes, but for the awareness they build around the importance of adoption and access to affordable veterinary care.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Patriot Place on October 19 to support this incredible event — and congratulations to all who met your new best friend!

Second Chance is excited to join the New England Patriots Foundation and the Kraft family for the upcoming Pawtriots “TailGate” at Patriot Place in Foxborough on Sunday, October 19. This special event will celebrate pet adoption and give families the opportunity to meet some amazing dogs looking for forever homes — all while cheering on the Patriots!

The Pawtriots initiative was launched earlier this year by the Patriots Foundation to promote adoption and raise awareness about the growing need for loving homes for shelter pets. The kickoff event at Patriots Training Camp was an incredible success, with every featured dog finding a home. We’re thrilled to continue that momentum and bring ten Second Chance dogs to this next big adoption event.

The Pawtriots “TailGate” begins at 11:30 a.m., with the Patriots vs. Tennessee Titans game kicking off at 1:00 p.m.Fans are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the game on the big outdoor screen and make a day of it! The event will also include appearances by Patriots Alumni and Super Bowl Champions Brian Hoyer and David Andrews, Pat Patriot, and the Patriots Cheerleaders, along with music, face painting, airbrush tattoos, interactive games, and food trucks — something for the whole family to enjoy.

As part of the event, the Patriots Foundation invites fans to bring pet food, toys, collars, and leashes to donate in support of local shelters and animals in need.

A special meet and greet area will also be set up for families interested in meeting our adoptable dogs. If you already have a dog at home, we encourage you to bring them along for a meet and greet — these introductions help ensure that everyone, both two- and four-legged, is comfortable and compatible, setting the stage for a happy, lasting match.

We need your help to feed more pets!

Did you know that donating pet food to food pantries is one of the simplest ways to keep pets OUT of shelters?!

Right now, more of our neighbors are skipping meals, cutting medications in half, or turning off their heat so they can afford to take care of their dogs or cats. For many, it won’t be enough & they’ll still have to say goodbye to a pet they love. YOUR donations today could help us change that.

Last year, Second Chance Animal Services gave enough pet food to local food pantries to feed 16,000 dogs & cats, helping keep them out of shelters & with those who love them the most. Now, we have a chance to double the number food we donate to local pantries each year.

Each week volunteers come to our tiny, overcrowded building to prepare pet food to distribute to 20 Massachusetts food pantries. With just a little more space, we could store much more donated food. We could host more food prep volunteers, more often. In short, we could feed thousands more dogs & cats each year. We’ve got the plans in hand, and we’ve already raised close to $50,000 of the $250,000 we’ll need. Now we just need you!

Together we can help keep more pets hungry and happy….and at home with the people who love them. Now is the time to give. Can you help?

Please watch the video for details. We know times are tough for many and if you aren’t able to give, we’d ask that you consider instead sharing this email with friends and family. Every bit helps.

We—and innocent pets like Kyla—are so grateful for your help and your support. Thanks!

A Visit from Ribbet and a Big Announcement at the Gala

On Saturday, March 29th, animal lovers came together at the AC Marriott in Worcester for the 26th Annual Auction Gala to support pets in need—and what a night it was!

Guests enjoyed an evening of community, compassion, and celebration. Hundreds of auction items found new homes through generous bidding, and the event featured a very special four-legged guest, Ribbet, who stole the show while making his way around the ballroom to greet supporters.

One of the biggest highlights of the night was the announcement of our pet food pantry building expansion—a vital project to meet the growing need in our community. We were thrilled to share that Tito’s Handmade Vodka generously matched the first $5,000 in donations, and an anonymous supporter has offered a $25,000 matching gift to help make this dream a reality. Thanks to the incredible generosity of the attendees, we’re on our way—but $14,000 remains to meet the match.

Help us reach our goal with a gift today

This inspiring video, premiered at our 26th Annual Auction Gala, shares real stories of pets whose lives have been forever changed—from lifesaving surgeries to second chances in loving homes. These transformations are possible because of your continued support.Together, we are breaking down barriers to veterinary care and keeping pets where they belong—with the families who love them.

We’re deeply grateful to our generous sponsors—including Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Embie Industries, and longtime Second Chance friend Joe Campisi—as well as the many local businesses and dedicated volunteers who helped make the event a success. And of course, a big thank you to everyone who attended or took part in the online auction.

Whether you joined us at the Gala, placed a bid in the auction, or support Second Chance in other meaningful ways throughout the year—thank you. Your compassion makes it possible for us to provide veterinary care, shelter, and vital programs to over 56,000 pets last year alone.

Every act of kindness brings us closer to a world where every pet gets the second chance they deserve.

With heartfelt gratitude,

The Second Chance Animal Services Team

P.S. There’s still time to double your impact! Make a gift today and help us reach the match.

Exciting news to share!!

Thursday night at the DCU Center, we received both Best Veterinary Clinic and Best Pet Grooming Company in the 2024 Best of Central Mass Community Choice Awards.

Friday we were honored at the MassMutual Center as a recipient of the Springfield Regional Chamber’s 2024 Super 60 list in the Non-Profit category!

Thank you to everyone who cast your vote for Second Chance. We share these honors with our amazing staff, volunteers and supporters!

Together, we are Transforming Lives – One Pet at a Time.

Save the Date: Cruise for Critters September 21st

Get ready to rev your engines because the highly anticipated Cruise for Critters is returning to Westview Farms Creamery on Saturday, September 21st! Now in its 12th year, this beloved car show, proudly presented by Al Widlan, owner of Service Connection, is set to make another meaningful impact on the lives of pets in need at Second Chance Animal Services.

For over a decade, Al Widlan has been the driving force behind this remarkable event, rallying car enthusiasts and compassionate hearts alike to come together for a worthy cause. Cruise for Critters has become a beacon of hope for furry companions across Massachusetts, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.

What to Expect This Year

This year’s Cruise for Critters is packed with fall-themed activities for attendees of all ages. Whether you’re a car enthusiast, a pet lover, or just looking for a fun day out with the family, there’s something for everyone.

Car Show: Car enthusiasts, don’t miss the chance to showcase your vehicles at this great end of season show and contribute to a cause that truly makes a difference.The car entry fee is just $20 per vehicle, with every dollar going directly to the betterment of pets’ lives.

Vendor Fair: Explore a captivating vendor fair filled with unique items of all kinds. It’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind treasures while supporting local businesses.

Halloween Barktacular: Back by popular demand, the Halloween Barktacular kids’ games are sure to delight the little ones. Thanks to our dedicated Second Chance volunteers, this event will be an unforgettable experience for children and families alike.

Autumn Adventures: From pumpkin picking to navigating through a corn maze, Westview Farms Creamery offers a delightful autumn adventure for all guests. Enjoy great food, ice cream, and live music by the Barberic Band, who will provide the perfect soundtrack for the day.

Sponsors and Vendors are Needed!

This event is made possible by the generous support of sponsors and vendors. We need your help to make this year’s Cruise for Critters the best one yet! We’re calling on local businesses and vendors to join us in supporting pets in need. Becoming a sponsor or a vendor at this event is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your business while contributing to a great cause.

Mark Your Calendars!

The festivities kick off at 10 am and continue until 3 pm, and spectators are welcome free of charge. And don’t worry about the weather—if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, we’ve got a rain date set for Saturday, September 28, 2024. So, mark your calendars, spread the word, and join us for a day of fun, community, and support for a great cause. We can’t wait to see you there!

Running Out Of Summer 5K

The Running Out Of Summer 5K is BACK!! Register now!

Saturday, August 24

Spencer Rail Trail

Join us for a scenic and fast course along the Spencer Rail Trail followed by food, drinks, and fun at O’Gara Park! Post-race party at Rapscallion Brewery & Taproom. This year’s race will benefis the Spencer Parks & Recreation Department and Second Chance Animal Services.

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Visit https://www.secondchanceanimals.org/events/annual-running-out-of-summer-5k/ or email developement@secondchanceanimals.org

🍀 Find your lucky charm at Second Chance!

Are you ready to bring some extra luck and love into your life this St. Patrick’s Day? At Second Chance, we believe every pet deserves a chance at a forever home, no matter their age or circumstances. That’s why we’re happy to announce our special Second Chance Adoption Event from March 10th to March 23rd!

Some pets stay with us a bit longer than others. They may be older, a little shy, or have some medical needs that require extra attention. But each one of them is hoping for that special someone to give them their second chance at happiness. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’re reducing or waiving adoption fees for our long-time and special needs residents during this event. It’s the perfect opportunity to open your heart and home to a furry friend in need. Are you looking for a loyal dog to join you on adventures, or snuggle on the couch, there’s no better time than now to make a difference in a pet’s life. If you have room in your heart and home for a new pet, we encourage you to visit our shelter during the event. Let’s make this St. Patrick’s Day truly special by giving these wonderful pets the loving homes they’ve been dreaming of. Check out the photos and bios of our adoptable pets. May the luck of the Irish be with you as you welcome a new furry friend into your life!