News Archives - Second Chance Animals

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.

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!

Clinic helps Fitchburg pet owners during the pandemic

FITCHBURG — Second Chance Animal Services returned to Fitchburg last weekend for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak canceled a scheduled spring vaccine clinic.

The low-cost community vaccine and microchip clinic offered Fitchburg-area pet owners an opportunity to get their pets up to date on life-saving vaccines using Second Chance’s new pre-registration format developed to safely resume vaccine clinics.

Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato said she is grateful to the North Central Community Foundation of Massachusetts, which underwrote the vaccine clinic with a generous grant aimed at helping pets in the Fitchburg community.

“North Central Community Foundation was understanding when the spring vaccine clinic could not be carried out as planned. They recognized the clinic’s importance in preventing the spread of rabies and parvo, which is a serious concern with so many pets now overdue,” Blancato said.

Many vaccine clinics throughout the state were canceled in the spring in response to COVID-19.

Second Chance, determined to resume its hospital weekly vaccine clinics safely, developed a pre-registration process that can now be used for clinics in the community.

Pet owners complete clinic paperwork and pay in advance to limit contact on clinic day. Each pet is assigned an arrival time and pet owners remain in their vehicle while pets are brought inside for vaccines and microchips, and quickly returned.

The Fitchburg clinic marks the first time the new process was used for a community vaccine clinic on location.

Blancato said the new process has received high marks from pet owners.

“We planned this as a temporary process, but it’s been such a positive experience for both pets and their owners. No more waiting in lines, no more filling out paperwork while holding a squirming pet, and much less stress for pets. We’ve decided to keep our pre-registration process permanently,” she said.

Second Chance hopes to resume community vaccine clinics next spring.

In the meantime, pet owners looking to update their pet’s vaccines can visit the vaccine clinic page at secondchanceanimals.org to pre-register their pet for an upcoming clinic at a Second Chance Community Veterinary Hospital in North Brookfield, Springfield or Worcester.

Full-service veterinary care is also available at each location by appointment following a curbside process where pet owners remain in their car and can speak directly with veterinarians via their cellphone.

Sentinel & Enterprise Story

Keeping you and your pet healthy

Second Chance Animal Services takes the health and safety of staff, volunteers, hospital clients and adopters seriously, especially at this unprecedented time.

Our staff now wear masks and are washing their hands with increased frequency in addition to daily temperature checks to ensure that they are healthy for the protection of all. Our veterinary hospitals have remained opened throughout the pandemic with precautions in place. Hospital clients remain in their vehicles while we care for their pets. A veterinarian calls to discuss each pets’ medical care and pets are redelivered back to their owners along with any medication, if necessary. Our spay/neuter program was limited for a short time due to supply issues but has now resumed. Our adoption center has also remained open during the pandemic, limiting visitors to one family at a time and disinfecting in between.

As of 5/25/20, we have entered our phase 1 plan. The current guidelines that have been in place throughout the pandemic continue. Spay/neuter is now fully resumed at our Springfield and Worcester locations and remains limited at our North Brookfield location to accommodate the increased need for emergency surgeries. We are prioritizing clients with cancelled appointments followed by scheduling new patients.

Our plan will closely follow the phase plan for the state, so please watch our website for additional changes in restrictions. We expect all of our current programs that are on hold including walk in vaccine clinics, spa days and mobile adoptions to be back in full operation shortly.

Thank you for your patience as we weathered this crisis together. We are grateful for your support and cooperation and are very proud to have continued to serve pets throughout this pandemic and look forward to resuming all services as we move forward.

Parvovirus vaccine clinic held in Springfield veterinary hospital

by: Mike Masciadrelli

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – More than 100 people brought their dogs to the Second Chance Community Vet Hospital in Springfield Saturday to get their dogs protected from the deadly viral disease, “parvo.”

The Parvovirus causes a dog to get sick very quickly with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea. A puppy can die within 48 hours, after the onset of symptoms.

“We wanted to protect her from Parvo and so that she’s a healthy puppy,” dog owner Samara Guess told 22News.

It’s important to make sure you’re getting your puppy vaccinated every three to four weeks, up until 20 weeks of age. You should also follow up with a booster a year later.

Second Chance Saturday was all about protecting dogs in Springfield from the parvovirus. They said getting vaccinated is the only way to ensure your dog remains parvo-free.

“Without treatment and sometimes even with treatment they can die very quickly,” veterinarian Jennifer Johnson explained. “But the good news is it’s almost 100 percent preventable with the vaccination. So for $5, you can keep little guys like this nice and safe.”

Dr. Johnson told 22News, if your dog hasn’t completed the series of parvo vaccinations yet, you should avoid taking your dog to public places where the virus could be present, like a dog park.

The virus can live in the ground for up to a year and it’s resistant to weather changes, and most cleaning products. You could also put your dog at risk if you walk into your home after stepping on infected feces.

Homeless pets evacuated to Massachusetts ahead of Hurricane Dorian

by: Monica Ricci

NORTH BROOKFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Some homeless pets who were in the path of Hurricane Dorian are now safe in Massachusetts.

Staff from Second Chance Animal Services traveled to Delaware Tuesday to pick up 17 cats that had been evacuated from a shelter in Hilton Head, South Carolina, ahead of Hurricane Dorian. They arrived to Second Chance’s Almost Home Transport facility in North Brookfield late Tuesday night and are now under quarantine for 48 hours.

Second Chance Animal Services Development Director Lindsay Doray told 22News the cats were evacuated from the shelter so that there could be room for other animals that will be temporarily displaced by the storm.

“These animals are now going to find loving homes up here and they’re going to have space to take in those that need it until their owners can get back into the area,” Doray said. “We did actually take in special needs animals. We have a cat here with one eye, we took in a cat that has some heart issues, because those are the ones that really needed us the most.”

Much of South Carolina’s coast was issued a mandatory evacuation order September 2. Doray says they’re on standby just in case they need to take in more four-legged evacuees.

“We’re happy to help out in these sorts of disasters and things because these animals need a place to go,” she said.

With the extra animals, comes a need for donations from the public. Anyone wishing to help with the cost of transport and medical care can learn more by clicking here.

“These animals that are coming in need to have their medical needs met before they are put up for adoption,” Doray explained. “So it does add an additional burden onto our organization and the shelter to care for these in addition to the ones that are already in our care and going to be coming in. We don’t slow down for this, we just accommodate more and kind of deal with the waves.”

Those interested in adopting one of the Hurricane Dorian evacuee cats should fill out an adoption survey by clicking here.

Second Chance Animal Services has a veterinary hospital in Springfield and an adoption center in East Brookfield.

Vaccine is best prevention against canine parvovirus

by: Taylor Knight

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Parvovirus is a very contagious disease, that attacks a dog’s intestinal system.

“They can get very sick very fast,” said Dr. Jennifer Johnson of Second Chance Animal Services.

In the past two weeks, there have been three reported cases in Springfield, and one was deadly.

Second Chance Animal Service told 22News that a puppy seen at the Community Veterinary Hospital on Mulberry Street tested positive for parvovirus on Tuesday. Sadly, the puppy died shortly after the vet visit.

A dog can pick up parvovirus through direct contact with an infected dog or contaminated object.

“Parvo can also be brought into the house by the soles of your feet,” explained Julie Sullivan of Second Chance. “It can be on your shoes if you’re going to a dog park, or walking on the sidewalk and step in feces. Then, it can be brought into your home.”

Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea with blood, or weight loss. It mostly affects unvaccinated dogs and young puppies. If you plan on taking your puppy to a dog park or another public place, you’ll want to make sure they are vaccinated for parvovirus first.

“We just want to make sure that puppies get their initial vaccine between six and eight weeks of age,” said Dr. Johnson. “Then, it needs to be boostered every three to four weeks until they are 16 weeks old. After that, they get a booster at one year, and then adult dogs will get boostered every one to three years.”

Dr. Johnson told 22News, that parvovirus is almost completely preventable with this vaccine. If you don’t know if your dog has been vaccinated, you can always take it to the vet for another shot – it won’t hurt them.

Second Chance offers a walk in vaccination clinic every Tuesday from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. A parvo shot is $12.

Program prepares dogs for adoption while helping handlers

LUDLOW, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – A program pairing inmates with dogs up for adoption is proving to be a real success.

It’s a partnership between Second Chance Animal Services and State Correctional facilities, now in its fourth year.

Wilmer Uroza gets plenty from Freedom Pups.

“It builds character,” Uroza tells us. “It teaches you to be more patient, [and] more tolerant. There’s a lesson in everything. It makes me a better person, more caring father.”

He is one of the many inmates at the Pre-Release Correctional Center in Ludlow, and he takes part in a program that helps prepare him for the real world, but also helps dogs find a forever home.

“He loves to fetch,” continued Uroza. “Loves to play around, [and] really friendly. He’s trained too.”

The dog he’s currently working with is a pitbull named Roscoe, who is one of two currently up for adoption.

Lindsay Doray with Second Chance Animal Services in Brookfield is who provides the dogs.

“When I show up,” stated Doray. “It’s, ‘Are we getting new dogs today? Who’s coming?”

The other pooch ready for a home is Deer, who Lindsay says also graduated the program.

“You can meet Deer,” says Doray. “See if he’d be a good fit for you.”

Lindsay tells Western Mass News the training the dogs receive during this two month “lock up” is better than a kennel.

That’s because they get to see what life with an owner is actually like.

“When they come here,” said Doray. “These guys are with them 24/7. They’re able to take them out for longer walks, getting affection, [and] playing with their toys.”

Sherrif Nick Cocchi runs the Pre-Release Center, and knows the benefit of having a dog around.

“I know how they can impact and change your day,” stated Cocchi. “Just with a simple, welcoming bark or pat, or you spend time with.”

That impact Wilmer has felt first-hand, and, though he says it’s tough to say goodbye, he keeps this in the back of his mind.

“The fact that,” Wilmer tells us. “I know he will be adopted, not going to be in a kennel anymore, gives him a second chance of having that opportunity to become loved and cared for the way they should be.”

Second Chance adds that, because they are a non-profit organization, they do rely on donations to keep things running.

Right now, they’re looking for supplies for dogs, like Roscoe and Deer, that are still waiting a permanent solution.

To find out more about dogs that are looking for a forever home at Second Chance, click or tap here.

Watch the story

Second Chance Vet Hospital in Springfield having problems with constant vandalism

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A local animal hospital is having problems with constant vandalism.

Second Chance Veterinary Hospital has been vandalized multiple times since moving into their Springfield location in May.

Their fence was ruined again last Saturday, the 4th time it’s happened. A window was also shot out with a BB gun.

This is not only a nuisance for the non-profit animal hospital, but it’s also affecting their budget as well.

“We rely heavily on donations and what not so whenever something gets vandalized, it takes away from funds that are allocated for pets in need,” said Julie Sullivan, Second Chance Community Veterinary Hospital director.

The animal hospital has installed signs and security cameras. But so far, the cameras have not prevented property damage.

Watch the story

Springfield Community Veterinary Hospital Grand Opening

Animal care non-profit moves into new Springfield location

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Western Massachusetts animal lovers are apparently paying more attention to the health of their pets than ever before.

Second Chance Animal Services moved to a larger Springfield facility on Mulberry Street Wednesday. They had found their previous animal hospital in the Forest Park area just too small to handle the volume.

Lindsay Doray from Second Chance Animal Services told 22News, “This is what we’re seeing in all of our hospitals. The need is really there and has exploded within our facilities. We probably see over 650 animals a week coming through our doors. Not all, obviously, for surgery, for wellness exams and that sort of thing.”

The non-profit also operates animal care facilities in Worcester and North Brookfield.

Watch the Story