Last Friday, we took in 52 cats from a single local home—one of the largest intakes in in recent history. The cats were surrendered by a well-meaning resident who had been rescuing homeless cats over time but was no longer able to care for them due to medical issues.

Though none of the cats were spayed, neutered, or vaccinated, they were clearly loved and cared for.

Delta arrived with her seven kittens. This family will live with one of our amazing fosters until they are old enough for adoption.

These cats are remarkably well-socialized according Danielle Bowes, our foster coordinator & adoption counselor. Many of them came right to the front of the cage for head boops and attention. Among the group is a mother cat with seven kittens who have already been placed in a foster home.

The cats received exams from Second Chance Shelter Veterinarian Dr. Jackie Celmer and her team, who began the process of updating vaccinations and identifying those in need of further medical treatment.  Two underweight kittens and a pregnant mom will also be heading into foster care, while twelve cats are being treated for upper respiratory infections. The rest will soon be scheduled for spay and neuter surgeries.

With this many cats, the medical care quickly adds up. these cats require hundreds of vaccines, two weeks of medication for upper respiratory infections, and specialized care for underweight and pregnant cats. They also need foster care, food, litter, and daily staff support. Based on initial examinations, the total cost is expected to exceed $18,000.

We’re asking for the community’s support to defray this large expense and also, once they are ready for adoption, to adopt these wonderful cats.

Puddles, one of the tiniest of the rescue weighing in at just 1.5 lbs, is being treated for a painful abscess.

Contributions can also be made through the Second Chance Facebook page, or by mail to Second Chance, 111 Young Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515.

We know this pet owner truly cared for these animals but sometimes compassion alone isn’t enough. That’s when we step up, thanks to the support of people who believe in giving every pet the chance they deserve.

If you’re hoping to adopt one of these rescued cats, keep an eye on our adoptable cat page where they will be listed as they become available, alongside many other wonderful pets still waiting for homes.

JUNE 19th UPDATE:

One of the first cats to arrive at the adoption center

Duck was one of the first of the group to be adopted

The flurry of activity continues, caring for this special group of cats and kittens. The first group arrived at the Adoption Center in East Brookfield where some of them have already found homes. Sadly, we learned that the cat that was initially thought to be expecting was found to be carrying a non-viable litter.

Yesterday 7 from the group traveled to our satellite adoption center at the Northborough PetSmart where 5 lucky felines quickly found their new families. River and Lobster are looking forward to finding their forever homes at Northborough PetSmart Saturday with adoption hours from 10am to 1pm. We’ll also be bringing some of this group to the Framingham PetSmart satellite tomorrow ahead of Saturday’s 2-5pm adoption hours.

To see all the available cats, visit our adoptable cats page.

River, 4-month-old male Currently at Northborough PetSmart

Lobster, 1.5-year-old male Currently at Northborough PetSmart

JUNE 26th UPDATE:

Amazing sews! Over 30 of this group of special cats have found homes. The cats that were being treated for URI have recovered. One cat still has an eye ulcer that is not quite healed yet but much improved. The others are doing great and underwent spay and neuter surgery. We are so grateful for your support for this special group of cats.

Here we have Ocean, now called Nyx. His momma says he’s super cuddly with her. He’s such a love and he never stops purring!

July 16th UPDATE:

One month ago, 52 cats found hope when they came to Second Chance from a single home. Thanks to amazing adopters, 34 have already found their forever families!

A sweet mama and her 7 kittens are growing strong in foster care and will be ready next month, but 10 wonderful cats are still waiting for someone to open their heart and home.

Could that someone be you? Come meet them and see if your new best friend is one of them!

MEET SOME OF THE CATS WAITING FOR HOME

Visit soon to help complete their second chance story.
Second Chance Adoption Center – 111 Young Road, East Brookfield
MONDAY 10 am – 3 pm
TUESDAY 10 am – 3 pm
WEDNESDAY 10 am – 3 pm
THURSDAY 10 am -3 pm & 5-7 pm
FRIDAY 10 am – 3 pm
SATURDAY 10 am – 4 pm
CLOSED ON SUNDAY

Seeing Bacio today, it’s hard to imagine the pain he once endured.  His days are filled with sunshine, snuggles with his cat siblings, and the joys of living with a loving family. But his journey to this happy ending started with heartbreak.

Bacio, then known as Pogo, came to us with a devastating injury. This sweet, gentle cat had been shot.  We may never know how or why, but we knew one thing:  He needed urgent care.  Our medical team acted fast to relieve his pain.  Second Chance surgeons were not able to save his injured leg. But we could save him.  And through it all–through surgery, recovery and rehab–this resilient cat never stopped being sweet and trusting.  His spirit carried him through.

Once he had healed, the next step was finding him a home. It didn’t take long. His new family saw the same spark in him that we did.  They gave him a new name: Bacio, the Italian word for kiss, in honor of the kisses he likes to give.  And most importantly, they gave him a new life filled with affection, companionship, and second chances.

Today, Bacio is thriving with his new family. He’s a reminder of why we do what we do.

Every year, Second Chance helps thousands of pets just like Bacio—animals with stories that didn’t begin happily, but can still have a joyful ending.

Watch Bacio’s journey in this short video:

An open letter to my dog, Roxie.

     by Second Chance volunteer Mike

It was 2 years and 6 days that you spent in the shelter.  And you eventually adjusted to shelter life, you finally let more and more people into your social circle.  Two years filled with stress and anxiety; I hope the 2-3 days a week that I visited and took you out were the best parts of your week because they were the best part of mine.  It was two years of doing the best you could with what you were given. We didn’t know what your future was going to look like, but we knew it was going to take a specific person to take you home, someone to put in the time, to earn your trust, to give you freedom and let you make choices on your own.  You needed to feel safe.  We knew the person that gave you your second chance was going to have to understand a dog like you with big feelings and be able to love you for who you are and not what they wanted you to be.

I remember Bethany, Second Chance’s adoption councilor and staff trainer, telling me about you and I just knew I had to meet you. You’re my kind of dog. Folks at Second Chance know the dogs I gravitate towards. I like the dogs that bark and growl and snap.  I’ve spent a lot of time learning about dogs like you and learning from you.  I know most dogs like you are just scared and confused and trying to fit into a world that is ever changing around them and just trying to make sense of it all.  Once upon a time you would have been the dog so many people wanted in their home, loyal and protective and vigilant and vocal.  Once upon a time we wanted dogs like you, for security, for protection.  But now we punish dogs like you for exact instincts we selected for them.

I remember meeting you and bringing a peanut butter Barkpouch and you licked it and growled at me and barked and then licked some more peanut butter and you kept your eyes on me the whole time.  I realized that you were more comfortable in an open space where you had freedom of choice so we spent time in the grassy yard.  I realized you loved squeaky stuffies and loved to play.  I remember how goofy you looked dancing around the stuffed animal.  I remember how afraid you were of me just putting the leash on you or touching you around your head so we worked on all your fears, slowly and carefully, and with a bit of patience we overcame so much together.

Do you remember the first time we got into the car and the first time we tried to take a walk.  Do you remember the woods you wouldn’t walk in, the trails you froze up on.  The time after time I sat on the ground waiting for you to feel safe so we could move forward or head back to the car.

I remember being so proud the first time you walked the trails with your nose on the ground and not a care in the world. You walked with so much pride and intent and purpose. I remember that day like it was yesterday.  Just to be part of that day gave me so much peace and I saw the real special individual you so desperately needed to be.  To watch you grow and blossom and come out of your shell.  I knew then we had something to work with and maybe your future wasn’t so bleak.  But there aren’t a lot of people out there for a dog like you.  And I know that.

When we first met, I didn’t have a house, I was living in an apartment that did not allow dogs.  When we first met, I had just said goodbye to one of my favorite shelter dogs as she went home with her new family and I lost some very important people in my life during those times. I needed you then as much as you needed me.  I saw you become a better version of yourself and you helped me become a better version of myself.  So, I had a mission, I decided to buy us a house.  I know there are not a lot of people out there that would do this for a shelter dog and I know that it seems crazy to buy a house for a dog.  It wasn’t that I needed to buy you a house; you made me realize that I needed a house to give you a home.

And I know, you’ll never be that friendly neighborhood dog, you’re not going to be a dog park dog and I’m ok with that.  You’re  not the dog the greets strangers with a big grin and a wagging tail and I’m ok with that.  But you’re a smart dog and you arehappy in my world and I am happy to have you in it.  You’re goofy dog and silly dog and you’re a loving dog to the people you let in. And for 2 years and 6 days you were a shelter dog.  But now as I write this and you sleep by my feet in a house that you made a home, I feel like you are now the dog you were meant to be.  My dog.

Welcome home.  Roxie.

Just a personal note to anyone reading this….

To all the people out there that say they don’t have time for a dog, that it wouldn’t be fair to take a dog home and be at work half the day. If you have the space, and a soft bed, or a comfy blanket and the means to fill a food bowl and water dish.  There is a dog out there for you. A senior dog that doesn’t need a lot of time and even appreciates alone time.  A nervous dog that just needs a little love and attention. Even though the shelter staff love and care for these amazing pups, they would still do better in a home even if it’s just a good meal and soft pets and some chill time in front of the TV.  You don’t need a big home, or a big car, or big bed.  You just need a big heart.

The shelter staff is well equipped to help you find that rare gem or that senior dog that you just might need just as much as the need you.  Please consider adoption.

Roxie enjoying the cat bed

Discussing some ground rules with her new sibling