News Archives - Second Chance Animals

Emergency Rescue: 16 Cats & Kittens Need Your Help

As New England braces for another dangerous heatwave, cats and kittens left behind after their owner was unexpectedly placed in assisted living urgently need help.

The family had no idea their loved one had been caring for so many cats. When they discovered them, they immediately reached out for help because the house doesn’t have air conditioning. With the weather forecast, there was no time to wait.

So far, 16 cats and kittens have been brought to safety, including 14 tiny kittens, some just 10 days old. Among them are a nursing mother caring for her babies and another mom who is pregnant. Two adult cats escaped before they could be safely caught. Rescuers will continue returning to the property to bring them to safety and search for any other cats that may still be hiding. We are hoping to locate the other nursing mother(s), as the kittens range from 10 days to 5–6 weeks old and still need appropriate milk and care.

These little ones need us now.

The kittens need food, warmth, and around-the-clock care. The moms need nutritious meals, veterinary care, and a safe place to raise their babies. Before they’re ready for adoption, every cat and kitten will need vaccinations, spay or neuter surgery, and plenty of love.

The cats and kittens will be placed in loving foster homes where they can grow, heal, and receive the care they need until they are old enough and healthy enough for adoption. Second Chance is always in need of compassionate adopters willing to open their homes to pets in crisis. To learn more or submit an application, please visit our website.

Rescues like this happen without warning, but thanks to compassionate supporters like you, we’re able to say “yes” when animals have nowhere else to turn.

Will you help give these cats and kittens, and pets like them, the second chance they deserve?

https://givebutter.com/emergency-rescue

JULY 2 UPDATE:

How adorable is this tiny kitten getting a much-needed bath to wash away fleas? 🥹

Here’s the latest on our emergency rescue. Our team has its hands full caring for these kittens, nursing moms, and a pregnant mama. We also have some good news! Late yesterday, two of the missing cats were safely brought to Second Chance. We’ll be sharing more about them soon.

If you submitted a foster application, thank you! At this time, have fosters for all of the cats and kittens from this rescue, but we are always looking for more fosters! Our foster coordinator will be in touch soon with next steps.

We’ve also been overwhelmed by the number of people interested in adopting these sweet little ones. Right now, our focus is helping them grow healthy and strong. Some are only days old, and some haven’t even been born yet! When they’re ready, we’ll be excited to help them find loving homes.

In the meantime, if you’re hoping to adopt, please consider one of the many wonderful cats and kittens who are already waiting for families:
https://www.secondchanceanimals.org/adoptable-cats/

Thank you for the incredible outpouring of support. Your generosity, kind words, and donations mean the world to us. We’re already nearly halfway to our fundraising goal, and every gift helps provide food, medical care, and everything these little ones need.

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 – we now offer Leptospirosis vaccines

Upcoming Clinic Dates & Locations

Friday, July 17th – Veteran’s Park, Holyoke

Saturday, July 18th – Athol Town Hall

Friday, July 24th – Community Cat Connection, Webster

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.

Why Do Cats Love to Sunbathe?

Some of the cutest pictures are of cats lounging in the sun in what seems like the most uncomfortable position, with all four paws sticking up. And it makes you question, why do cats love to sunbathe so much? And what was the point of spending so much money on comfy beds when they chose to lay on top of the kitchen table chasing that single ray of sun?

Sunbathing goes deeper than just comfort. While cats do seek out sunshine to feel warm and relaxed, they’re also wired to prefer warmer environments. As they chase those rays around your home, it’s not just a cozy habit, it’s something instinctual.

While sunlight is not necessary for cats, it still plays a role in how our furry friends feel day to day. Unlike humans, cats cannot produce vitamin D through skin exposure to sunlight. Instead, they rely almost entirely on vitamin D intake through their diet. Commercial, balanced cat foods provide adequate levels, making supplements unnecessary and risky.

Even though sunlight isn’t needed for nutrition, it can still contribute to comfort, behavioral enrichment, and natural resting patterns. They’re not being rude by choosing the most uncomfortable window perch on top of your plants instead of the bed you bought them, they’re simply following their instinctual needs.

4 Reasons why Cats Love to Sunbathe

1. Instincts Rooted in Warm-Climate Ancestors

Our furry friends have evolved into the loving animals we know today, but deep down they still carry the instincts of their ancestors. Like those ancestors that lived near the equator, they have a deeply embedded love for warmth in their DNA. Cats can thrive in warmer climates, and their natural body temperature is already relatively high, ranging from 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. They may instinctively seek out warm environments.

2. Conserving Energy Through External Heat

Cat’s often act like little solar panels, soaking up the sun to stay warm. This action can help reduce the amount of energy needed for thermoregulation, which in turn allows cats to conserve calories for essential activities like hunting.

3. Natural Comfort and Relaxation

Yes, cats love the sun for the heat, but sunshine can also help promote comfort, relaxation, and normal resting behavior. The warmth allows their bodies to feel more at ease, helping them settle and rest more comfortably throughout the day. This is especially noticeable in senior cats or those with joint sensitivity, as they may naturally seek out warm spots more often. However, if your cat is showing signs of pain or discomfort, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian, as sunbathing is not a solution for medical conditions.

4. Supporting Longer, Deeper Sleep

Cats spend a large portion of the day sleeping, often 12-18 hours. Natural light helps regulate circadian rhythms, the internal system that controls sleep- wake cycles and daily activity patterns in mammals, including cats. Providing consistent, comfortable environments and routines may help support normal activity levels and healthy rest patterns.

Is There Such a Thing as “Too Much Sun for Cats”?

Cats are generally very good at regulating their own sun exposure. In most cases, if they have access to both sunny and shaded areas, they will instinctively move when they’ve had enough.

However, problems can arise when cats don’t have the ability to make that choice. Too much sun exposure typically becomes a concern in situations where a cat is confined or unable to move to a cooler space.

Situations where overheating is more likely include:

Being left in a car, even for a short period of time
Staying in a carrier during transport without proper ventilation or shade
Being in enclosed spaces or rooms with direct sunlight and limited airflow
Any environment where there is no access to shade or cooler surfaces

In these situations, cats can be at risk for overheating, dehydration, or sunburn, particularly with prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or high temperatures. White or light-colored cats are also more prone to developing skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma, especially on areas with thin hair coverage such as the ears, nose, and face.

The key takeaway is that sunlight itself is not inherently harmful – risk increases when exposure is prolonged or when environmental conditions limit a cat’s ability to regulate its temperature.

Simple Ways to Give Your Cat More Time in the Sun

While sunlight is entirely out of our control and left up to the weather patterns, there are simple ways to make sure our furry friends are getting the most amount of sunlight each day. Small adjustments around your home can make a bigger difference than you might think.

Here are more simple ways to help your cat get more time in the sun:

Rearrange furniture to open up sunny areas your cat can easily access
Keep blinds and shades open as much as possible to let in natural sunlight
Add window perches or shelves to create elevated sunbathing spots
Rotate beds or blankets to follow where sunlight moves throughout the day
Build an outdoor enclosure such as a catio so your cat can enjoy more consistent sunlight throughout the day

Letting Cats Enjoy the Sun

Sunbathing is a natural feline behavior. Whether they’re stretched out in a warm patch of light or slowly following the sun across the room, those moments aren’t random. They’re choosing comfort in a way that comes naturally to them.

The goal isn’t to keep your cat out of the sun, it’s to make sure they can enjoy it safely. As long as they have the option to move between warm spots and cooler areas, cats will regulate themselves just fine.

A few small changes can make a big difference. Opening up sunny spaces, adding a window perch, or creating a safe outdoor area gives your cat more freedom to move, stretch, and settle where they feel most comfortable throughout the day.

When a cat rests in the sun, they are engaging in a normal behavior that supports comfort and energy conservation.

Give a Shelter Dog a Summer Vacation!

Our Summer Vacation Foster Program for dogs is off to a great start! Click here for the latest update and how you can get involved.

The weather is warming up, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors and try something new… so why not make a difference while you’re at it?

Starting May 14th, we’re launching our Summer Vacation Foster Program and looking for compassionate foster families to give shelter dogs a much-needed break from shelter life.

What’s involved?

• Short-term fostering (2–8 weeks)
• Giving a dog time to decompress in a home environment
• Providing one-on-one attention and love
• Helping us learn more about their personality to find the perfect forever home

Foster Requirements:

• Live within 30 minutes of one of our Second Chance Vet Hospitals (Southbridge, North Brookfield, Worcester, or Springfield)
• If renting, have landlord approval and know any pet restrictions
• Be willing to share your foster dog on social media and/or attend adoption events or meet & greets when possible

Once you submit your form, we’ll try to match you with a dog that fits your home and schedule. You’ll have a chance to meet before committing—so you can feel confident bringing your temporary companion home.

Ready to make your summer unforgettable? Complete the form below and give a deserving dog the break they’ve been waiting for.

Click HERE to get started

Leaves of Love

Recognize a Loved One or Special Pet at Second Chance

Second Chance Animal Services helps more than 64,000 pets each year through adoption, veterinary care, spay and neuter services, training, educational and community outreach programs, and our pet food pantry.

This is your opportunity to honor a beloved pet or special person while supporting this lifesaving work.

Through our Leaves of Love display at our North Brookfield Community Veterinary Hosplital, your tribute will be included on a paw shaped leaf and placed on the memorial tree, created in honor of Eunice Li Jones, a longtime friend and dedicated supporter of Second Chance. Together, these leaves form a meaningful symbol of love and compassion for the animals who need us most.

Each leaf is displayed for one year and may be renewed annually, allowing you to continue your tribute for as long as you wish. Your donation helps ensure every pet has access to medical care, kindness, and the chance for a forever home.

Behind the Paw: A Behind the Scenes Career Experience

Explore mission driven animal care careers through Behind the Paw, a behind the scenes program for qualified applicants at Second Chance Animal Services.

At Second Chance, our mission comes to life through the people who show up each day to care for pets, support families, and strengthen our community. It is about people coming together every day to make sure pets can stay healthy, stay with the families who love them, and find new beginnings when they need them most. That shared purpose drives everything we do, and now we are inviting qualified job applicants to experience it firsthand through a new program called Behind the Paw.

Behind the Paw is an immersive, behind the scenes experience designed specifically for qualified job applicants who are interested in mission driven animal welfare careers. Participants spend a few hours or a full day alongside Second Chance team members, observing real work in action across departments including veterinary services, shelter and animal care, reception, development, and more. Along the way, participants learn how each role contributes to our mission of helping pets stay healthy, stay in their homes, and find new beginnings.

As one of the fastest growing nonprofit animal welfare organizations in Massachusetts, Second Chance helps more than 64,000 pets each year through affordable veterinary care, community programs, adoption services, and shelter support. As demand for these services continues to grow, we are expanding programs and developing innovative community initiatives, creating an ongoing need for skilled, values aligned professionals who want their work to truly matter.

Behind the Paw is designed for individuals who are qualified to work in roles such as veterinarian, veterinary technician or assistant, animal care technician, veterinary reception, and development or fundraising. Participants may explore both current openings and roles that may become available in the future. When no current openings exist, qualified applicants may be added to Second Chance’s talent priority list and considered first as new positions become available.

This program is not intended for students. Individuals currently enrolled in veterinary, vet tech, animal science, or related programs should explore Second Chance’s dedicated intern and externship opportunities, which are tailored to meet academic and hands on training requirements.

Second Chance is not just a workplace. It is a mission. Every person who joins our team helps expand access to affordable veterinary care and keeps pets with the families who love them. If you are a qualified professional looking to experience what mission driven animal care truly looks like, we invite you to step Behind the Paw.

Learn more and apply at
www.secondchanceanimals.org/behind-the-paw/

Thank you for helping us replace a our heating system

1/19/2026 UPDATE: We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming response from our community. Your generosity and the many kind messages you have shared have meant more to us than we can say. Work will begin on the installation of the new heating system on Wednesday when it arrives. Thank you for standing with Second Chance and the animals who depend on us.

1/16/2026 UPDATE: This morning, we learned that additional custom ductwork will be required as part of the heating system installation. As a result, the total project cost will exceed the preliminary estimate. We are working with our contractors to finalize the revised cost which could be as high as $23,000 and have updated our fundraising goal to reflect this necessary work. The additional ductwork is essential to ensure the new system operates safely and reliably.

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 $23,000 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.

2025: A Record-Breaking Year for Pets and the People Who Love Them

Looking back on 2025, we are filled with gratitude and pride.

Last year, we helped a record breaking 64,143 pets. That makes 2025 one of the most impactful years in our history and reflects the growing need for accessible, compassionate care for pets and the people who love them.

Across all of our veterinary hospitals, we helped more animals than ever before. Some locations served thousands more pets than in prior years. By offering affordable veterinary care to everyone, with additional subsidies for those who qualify, we continue to break down barriers and ensure families can get the help they need when they need it.

Responding to Greater Need

The needs of shelter pets coming through our doors continue to change. In 2025, we cared for more pets with complex and long-term medical needs and responded to several large-scale rescue efforts, including the 52 cats taken in from a single home and the intake of 26 golden retriever moms and their puppies who were under two weeks old at the time of rescue. We supported an unusually high number of mothers with underage puppies and kittens who required extended foster care before becoming adoption ready.

These intensive cases require time, medical care, and patience. While we saw a slight decline in the number of pets adopted, it was because more pets needed longer stays and complex veterinary treatment. As a no kill shelter, we never euthanize pets for space and remain committed to every animal who needs our care.

Keeping Pets and Families Together

Demand for Project Keep Me more than doubled last year. Through this program, we provide temporary boarding and care for pets while domestic violence survivors secure safe housing and while veterans focus on in-patient treatment. By caring for pets during times of crisis, we help ensure families can stay together and reunite without the fear of losing a beloved companion.

We also saw a sharp increase in demand for our pet food pantry program, which now supplies pet food to 25 local human food pantries. As financial hardship continues to impact many families, this program helps keep pets fed, healthy, and at home. We expect to break ground early this year on an expansion that will allow us to feed even more pets in need.

Preventing Future Need

Prevention remains at the heart of our work. In 2025, our spay and neuter program reached a new record with 8,747 procedures performed. These services are essential to keeping pets healthy and reducing the number of animals entering shelters in the future.

Moving Forward Together

None of this work happens without the dedication of our staff and volunteers and the generosity of our supporters and community partners. Together, we are making a meaningful difference for tens of thousands of animals and the families who love them.

As we look to the year ahead, we remain committed to expanding access to care and being there for pets and people when they need us most.

Thank you for being part of that mission.

Donate
Second Chance Animal Services, Inc.
111 Young Road, PO Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515

Twelve Stories of Hope and Healing in 2025

Celebrate the 12 Days of Second Chances with us. Throughout the year, your support has changed lives. Join us as we look back at amazing stories made possible by caring supporters like you.

DAY 1
Freckle’s Reunion

Freckles, a two-year-old cat, went missing in April of 2024, leaving his family devastated and searching for months with no answers. In January of this year, a quiet gray cat arrived at our Southbridge hospital for what was supposed to be a routine neuter appointment. To our surprise, he was already neutered. A quick microchip scan revealed the truth. It was Freckles.

From the moment we identified him, the entire team felt the excitement build. While he waited with us, Freckles was calm and quiet. Suddenly, he began meowing at the top of his lungs.

We soon learned why. His family had just walked through the door. He knew they were there before we did. There was not a dry eye in the building as Freckles leapt back into the arms of the people who never stopped loving him. Thanks to a simple microchip and a little luck, he is home again. Seeing this family reunited reminds us why we work so hard to keep pets out of shelters and with the families they love.

DAY 2
Buddy’s Second Chance

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.

With patience, quiet days of recovery, and lots of love, Buddy began to trust the world again. Last week, he got the happy ending we had all been hoping for. His foster officially adopted him, giving this sweet pup the forever home he deserved. Buddy’s story reminds us why we do this work and how healing begins when a pet is surrounded by compassion and support.

DAY 3
Access to Care Saves Lives

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.

Within hours, Joey was in surgery at our hospital, where our team carefully removed a large rock lodged in his small intestine. Thanks to affordable, accessible veterinary care, Joey is now back home—safe, healthy, and loved. Stories like Joey’s are only possible because of supporters who make our mission a reality. Together, we keep pets and their people together.

DAY 4
Help for Toast

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.

Due to the mass’s location, Toast needed her eye removed to ensure her comfort. We were worried but the biopsy results brought wonderful news: the mass was benign! Toast was cleared for adoption and quickly found her forever home. Through it all, Toast remained the sweetest cat, and thanks to supporters like you, she now has a happy, pain-free life.

DAY 5
Gwinnie’s Happy Ending

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.

Despite her painful past, Gwinnie never lost her gentle spirit. She remained patient and affectionate through every exam and treatment, soaking up every bit of kindness she received. Gwinnie tested positive for heartworm, a preventable but life threatening disease, but thanks to timely treatment and compassionate care, she completed her recovery. Today, Gwinnie is healthy, loved, and happily adopted, a living reminder of how resilience and support can change a life.

DAY 6
Homebound to the Rescue

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.

Our Homebound to the Rescue program steps in before that happens. By working with community partners and property managers, we bring essential pet care directly to the doorsteps of seniors at no cost. From vaccines and wellness exams to preventive care, this program keeps pets healthy, safe, and right where they belong, at home with the people who love them.

DAY 7
A 52-Cat Rescue

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.

Among them were a mother cat with seven kittens, two underweight kittens, a pregnant mom, and many cats suffering from upper respiratory infections. Over the following weeks, our team coordinated foster placements, medical treatment, vaccines, and spay and neuter surgeries. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, every one of these cats received the care they needed and has now found a loving home. This rescue is a powerful example of what happens when compassion and community come together.

DAY 8
Community Vaccine Clinics Keep Pets Healthy

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.

At a recent Community Vaccine Clinic in Holyoke, 99 pets received critical protection in just one day. Thirty nine cats and sixty dogs were vaccinated, and thirty nine pets were microchipped, giving them an extra layer of safety. From rabies to distemper and parvo prevention, these clinics are a powerful way to keep pets healthy, families together, and communities safer.

DAY 9
Scarlett’s Journey HOME!

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.

We were so thrilled when Scarlett finally found a home and family of her very own. Her story reflects our promise to remain proudly no kill, with a 99 percent save rate, and to stand by every animal who comes through our doors. Scarlett’s happy ending is proof that patience, compassion, and unwavering commitment change lives.

DAY 10
The Future of Animal Welfare

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.

As the puppies stabilized, students helped keep them warm and comfortable, learning firsthand what compassionate care looks like in real world situations. Our Southbridge hospital is home to the Bay Path Veterinary Educational Center at Second Chance, where future veterinary professionals gain meaningful experience while helping animals in need. We are honors to be a part of building a stronger, more compassionate future for pets and the people who care for them.

DAY 11
A Second Chance IN PROGRESS for Loki

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.

Our staff and volunteers dote on our longterm residents, enriching their lives and their spirit while they wait. Loki needs to be the only pet in an adult only home, which can make finding the right match take longer. Stories like Loki’s remind us how grateful we are for the supporters who continue to share, advocate, and stand by pets until the right person comes along. With your help and support, Loki’s story will have the happy ending he deserves.

DAY 12
Ducky & Misty

Some second chances arrive quietly, and others arrive carrying years of pain. Duck and Misty remind us why this work matters so deeply.

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.

Duck and Misty represent the heart of our mission. Whether a pet’s second chance ends in adoption or is still unfolding, we are here for every step, thanks to supporters like you.

None of these stories would be possible without of the generosity of compassionate supporters like you.

The new year is almost here and we hope we can count on you to be by our side.

This holiday season, you can help a nonprofit that can help animals in a truly unique way. We are so much more than a shelter. It’s our mission to make it affordable to people to care for their pets so they never have to face the heartbreak of surrendering a pet.

Your gift fuels our pet food pantry, helps seniors keep their beloved pets fed, provides low-cost vet care, and livesaving shelter services. Donate now to jumpstart our holiday support and transform an injured pet’s life and get its tail wagging. Thanks to our supporters we have already helped more than 59,000 pets this year and hope to increase that number next year with your support.

Donate now and your money will go twice as far thanks to a generous match from a longtime supporter.

More Than 59,000 Pets Already Helped in 2025

With one month still to go, we are humbled to share that Second Chance has already helped more than 59,000 pets this year. This milestone surpasses last year’s record of 56,000 pets helped and reflects both the growing reach of our programs and the increasing challenges facing pets, families and shelters across our region.

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.

Our four community veterinary hospitals are experiencing unprecedented demand from pet owners who rely on affordable care to keep their companion animals healthy and at home. At the same time, our pet food pantry program has seen dramatic growth as well. Through this program, Second Chance distributes pet food to local human food pantries, so families do not have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pets. Even with this support and with all the programs Second Chance offers, some local pet owners still find themselves unable to keep their pets due to financial constraints. These situations are heartbreaking for families and for our staff who work to keep pets and their people together whenever possible.

Shelters across the country continue to face severe overcrowding. Second Chance is taking in as many pets as possible while also providing the resources and care that prevent unnecessary surrenders. The need, however, continues to outpace available resources.

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.

These honors reflect the commitment of our entire team and the generosity of our supporters. They remind us that behind every award is a pet whose life was changed for the better.

As we expand programs to meet the rising demand, we are facing significant financial pressure. We are asking for your help to ensure that lifesaving services remain available to every pet that needs them.

Every gift makes a direct difference. Whether it keeps a beloved pet with their family or provides critical medical care for a pet in crisis, support from the community is the reason we can keep saying yes.

We welcome support of any kind. Many donors choose to become Monthly Pet Pal Champions, providing ongoing support that helps us respond to emergencies and plan for the future with confidence. Whether you give once or choose to give monthly, your generosity plays an essential role in helping pets in need.

Donate now and your donations will be matched up to $15,000 by a generous longtime supporter. Donations can also be made by mail to Second Chance, PO Box 136, East Brookfield, MA 01515.

Thank you for standing with us during this extraordinary year. Together we will continue to change lives and create brighter futures for pets and the people who love them.

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Emergency Rescue: 16 Cats & Kittens Need Your Help

Low-Cost Vaccine Clinics Coming to a Town Near You