Urgent Need at the Adoption Center: Help Us Replace a Critical Heating System
This is not a story we ever hoped to share, but one we cannot avoid.
The heating system at the Second Chance Adoption Center has failed and must be completely replaced. We brought in professionals who explored every possible repair option, doing everything they could to save the existing system. Unfortunately, there is no safe or reliable way to salvage it.
This news comes at an especially difficult time. Cold weather is forecasted for the rest of the month, and heat is essential to the care of the animals who rely on our Adoption Center every day. Puppies, kittens, senior pets, and animals recovering from illness or surgery need a warm, stable environment to stay healthy and comfortable. Heat is not a luxury here. It is basic care.
The Adoption Center also serves as an emergency placement facility. When disasters displace pets, such as during the historic ice storm that knocked out power for weeks, this building becomes a safe haven. Without a functioning heating system, our ability to respond during emergencies is at risk.
Replacing a commercial heating system is a major, unexpected expense, but delaying is not an option. We are working to raise $14,000 to cover the cost of replacing the system as quickly as possible so we can continue to provide lifesaving care and remain ready when emergencies happen.
If you are able to donate, your support will go directly toward keeping the animals in our care warm, safe, and protected during the cold weeks ahead. If you are unable to give right now, sharing our fundraiser is an incredibly meaningful way to help.
Thank you for always standing with Second Chance and for caring so deeply about the animals who depend on us.
Buddy arrived at Second Chance as a timid ten month old Mini Australian Shepherd who had already faced more challenges than any young dog should. He tested positive for heartworm, a preventable disease that required months of treatment and gentle care. His future was uncertain, but our team, generous supporters and one very special foster refused to give up on him.
Joey’s family faced a terrifying emergency. Their beloved pup had vomited up three rocks and was still very sick. Fearing another blockage, they rushed him to an emergency clinic—but the cost was out of reach. Desperate, they turned to Second Chance.
At just two-years-old, Toast had been through a lot in her young life. This sweet cat was surrendered to us on New Year’s Eve and was found to have a mass on her upper eyelid. Surgery was planned, but we soon discovered she was pregnant. Toast went into foster care to safely have her kitten, and once her baby was weaned, she was finally ready for the procedure.
Gwinnie is one of the sweetest souls you could ever meet, even after everything she has endured. This one year old American Staffordshire terrier mix was found by a Good Samaritan on the side of a remote road. She was weak, dangerously thin, and missing her ears due to a cruel act. It is a miracle she did not lose her hearing.
For many seniors, a beloved pet is a lifeline. Unfortunately, fixed incomes and limited transportation can make even basic veterinary care feel impossible. Without help, pets can suffer and families face heartbreaking choices they never expected to make.
Earlier this year, Second Chance stepped in to help 52 cats from a single local home, one of the largestrescues in our history. A kind hearted resident had been trying to save homeless cats but, due to medical issues, could no longer keep up. The cats were clearly loved, but they arrived unvaccinated, unfixed, and in urgent need of care.
Preventive care saves lives, but access can be a challenge for many families. That is why Second Chance brings low cost vaccine clinics directly into the communities that need them most. By meeting people where they are, we help protect pets who may not be able to reach one of our hospitals.
Some journeys take longer than others, but every pet is worth the wait. Scarlett spent more than 500 days in our care as we searched for the right home for her. Through it all, our team and volunteers never gave up on her, because at Second Chance, we are committed to giving every pet the time and care they need.
The future of animal welfare is being shaped today. At our Southbridge veterinary hospital, students from Bay Path Vocational Technical High School recently had a rare hands on opportunity to assist after an emergency C section brought seven newborn puppies into the world.
Not every second chance ends with an adoption right away. Some take time, patience, and a community that keeps believing. Loki has been with us since December 2023 and is currently our longest resident. While his journey is still in progress, our hope for him has never faded.
Ducky, a three-year-old Bulldog, came to Second Chance after being passed from family to family. Beneath her wagging tail was serious pain caused by a ruptured eye and chronic discomfort she had likely endured for far too long. Surgery to remove her eye offered her relief and a fresh start. Despite everything, Ducky remains sweet, affectionate, and eager to love. Once she heals, she will be ready to find the forever home she has always deserved.
Misty arrived just this past weekend. This one-year-old French Bulldog is nervous but incredibly gentle. She is facing multiple medical needs, including the removal of her right eye like Ducky, a spay, airway surgery to help her breathe more easily, and treatment for a severe ear infection that may require additional care. Her journey is just beginning, but she is surrounded by a team committed to giving her comfort, healing, and hope.
This year has brought an extraordinary number of pets through our doors. To have already helped over 59,000 pets is remarkable, but it is also deeply troubling how many families and shelters are struggling. We are privileged to make such an impact, but the challenges continue to grow as more pet owners face financial hardships and more shelters operate at capacity.
This historic year has also brought significant recognition for Second Chance and its impact on pets and the community. We were once again honored with multiple Best of Central Mass awards in both the Pet Grooming and Veterinarian categories. Second Chance received the Super 60 Nonprofit Award from the Springfield Regional Chamber, earned the 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, was awarded a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and was also named a Top Nonprofit on greatnonprofits.com.
In addition, we are so proud of our very own Dr. Lisa Nowicki who was recognized with the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association Merit Award for her dedication to advancing veterinary care and improving the lives of pets in need.
