Summer 2021 Newsletter
Mutt Matters and Cat Chatters – catch up on all things Second Chance with our Summer 2021 Newsletter
Dixie & Dakota’s Lesson of Patience
Dixie was just four months old when she was adopted from Second Chance. Despite a positive meet and greet with her new 3-year-old sister Dakota, things got off to a rocky start. “There were several issues in the beginning with puppy curiousness and not knowing personal space.” Their owners kept a close eye to make sure things didn’t get out of hand.
“I’m told it was the puppy finding her place in the family…In the beginning I was so close to bringing Dixie back because I didn’t think it was fair to her for us to be so focused or controlling of them playing…I loved her to pieces and didn’t want to. I made the appointment to return her but arriving there, getting ready to hand over her leash, that look she gave me…I just couldn’t.
Now 10 months later they are inseparable…Dixie follows her sister Dakota everywhere…They have fun playing & when Dakota has had enough she has this bed- we call it the ‘I’m done, time to take a break bed’ – she goes there, lays down & Dixie is right beside her, which is fine for both of them apparently. So we all ended up living happily ever after! I’m so glad I gave it more time…I couldn’t imagine her not being part of the family.”
NEW ADOPTION CENTER HOURS
Our new hours will help to better serve you and the pets in our care.
Regular Hours:
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
SAT 11 am – 4 pm
CLOSED ON SUNDAY
Second Chance Responds to Veterinary Care Crisis in Massachusetts
The Irony of Reducing Spays and Neuters to Save Lives
The effects of the pandemic have created a perfect storm, this time on land. As COVID-19 took hold here in Massachusetts, residents took advantage of all the extra time at home to welcome a pet into their family. While many veterinary practices were forced to reduce services or temporarily close, veterinary staff in vet hospitals determined to be there for pets embraced a new curbside procedure and quietly became the essential workers for pets across the state. Those that could worked long hours to see all the pets who needed help immediately and had nowhere else to turn. They were there for the pets that needed them, but it’s taken a toll on their spirit.
The country was already facing a veterinarian and vet tech shortage before the pandemic. Now we have more pets that need care and veterinary hospitals and practices are seeing their staff numbers dwindle due to burnout. Current wait times at some local emergency hospitals are lengthy while some other emergency hospitals have decided to temporarily or permanently close.
Second Chance Animal Services, no strangers to saving pet lives, are meeting the crisis head on with an ironic solution. We have significantly reduced the capacity of the low-cost spay and neuter program at ourNorth Brookfield Community Veterinary Hospital for the foreseeable future to help save the lives of pets in critical need.
Our colleagues at area emergency veterinary hospitals tell us they are doing their best to keep up with demand, but they are strained and operating beyond capacity. The situation is dire. Wait times often exceed 12 hours at some facilities and others have made the decision to close for the remainder of the summer.
Second Chance has significantly reduced the capacity of their low-cost spay & neuter program to do their part to help. Day after day, pet owners are bringing pets to us in critical need of emergency surgical care. Without our help, these pets would die, suffer needlessly, or be put to sleep because surgery cannot be scheduled in time to save the pet. We could not let this happen. We need to help as many pets as we can.
We ask for your patience and understanding. We have been working to alleviate the backlog of pets waiting which began in March of 2020 when spay and neuter services were suspended to conserve critical supplies that were then hard to acquire. Our spay and neuter capacity is not only back to pre-pandemic levels, but higher than pre pandemic.
We encourage pet owners to consider using the spay and neuter services at Second Chance’s Springfield or Worcester hospitals. Second Chance wants to be sure that there is surgical space to help as many pets in immediate urgent need as we can. Spay and neuter surgery is important but life-threatening critical needs must come first. We need to be here for those pets who need urgent surgeries.
Your Grooming Questions Answered
Second Chance answers the questions we hear the most about pets and grooming.
Why should my pet be groomed?
- Grooming is an important aspect of healthcare for many dogs and cats, especially long-haired breeds. Pets can become at risk for skin and ear infections, urinary tract infections, pain, trouble defecating, or even develop restricted blood supply if mats become too tightly wound around limbs.
- Grooming is not just important for long haired pets, however. Short-haired animals can benefit from grooming as well, but may need it less often. Groomers may be able to help identify if your pet has a problem such as a flea or tick infestation or if your pet is not grooming itself as well as it should be, which could indicate an underlying health problem.
When should I start grooming my puppy professionally?
- Most professional grooming salons will begin grooming puppies and kittens at 16 weeks of age with the recommendation that they are fully vaccinated to help keep them safe when in the salon with other animals.
- Getting your pet started early can help them get used to the grooming process, which makes it much easier on them and their groomer.
How often should I be getting my pet groomed?
- Depending on breed, your pet may need to be groomed every 6-8 weeks. You may request the same groomer every time so that you and your pet will begin to build a relationship with your groomer who should come to understand all your pet’s quirks and preferences. It makes the experience safer and more enjoyable for everyone.
- We also recommend visiting the salon between trims/baths to help your pup get used to all the sights and sounds.
How can I get my puppy used to being groomed?
- Touch your pet frequently to get them used to what will happen during an actual grooming service. This can help desensitize them, making the process much easier and safer.
- Top areas to handle are feet/nails, ears and face. You may try the following to help your pet get used to grooming:
- Rub/hold their feet often (use caution with cats).
- Practice holding their face still and touch around their mouth if tolerated.
- Run the bottom of an electric toothbrush around their feet & face to help them get used to the feeling & sounds of clippers & nail grinders
Is there anything I should do between salon visits?
- Brush! No matter if you have a long-haired or short-haired pet, they all need brushing. Long-haired pets tend to mat very easily, especially as puppies and kittens when their fur is super fine and soft. Matting can be very painful for your pet, so frequent brushing can help reduce the chance of fur becoming matted. Don’t forget mat-prone areas behind the ears, on their backside, or around the armpits.
- It’s recommended you brush your short-haired pup weekly to help keep dead hair from clogging their pores and to keep their natural oils spread evenly throughout their coat to promote shine and healthy fur.
Helping 40,000 to Live Better Lives
Second Chance was recently featured on the Bob Katzen Show’s Let’s Pay It Forward segment where Lindsay Doray shared how we help 40,000 animals every year to live better lives:
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!
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.
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.