A Feast for Man & Beast
As we gather around the Thanksgiving table, savoring the delicious aromas and flavors of the season, it’s only natural to want to share the joy with our furry companions. It’s important to keep our pets’ safety in mind. Here’s some tips to make sure your pets enjoy a Thanksgiving feast that’s as safe as it is delicious.
Turkey Talk:
While turkey is a Thanksgiving staple, it’s essential to prepare it with your pets in mind. Avoid giving them the turkey bones, as they can splinter and cause serious internal injuries. Also, refrain from seasoning the meat with garlic, onions, or other spices that can be harmful to pets. If you want to share the joy of turkey with your pet, offer them a small, boneless, and well-cooked portion. Raw meat is not recommended to be fed to pets.
Sensible Sides:
Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and green beans often find their way to the Thanksgiving table. While these can be safe for pets in moderation, be cautious about added ingredients like butter, sour cream, or marshmallows. Stick to plain, cooked vegetables without additional seasonings to keep your pets’ tummies happy.
Hold the Dessert:
As tempting as it may be to share your pumpkin pie or other sweet treats with your pet, it’s best to resist the urge. Many desserts contain ingredients like chocolate, xylitol, or spices that can be harmful to animals. Instead, treat your pet to a small amount of plain, canned pumpkin—just make sure it’s not the sugary pie filling.
Say No to Onions and Garlic:
These aromatic additions to many Thanksgiving dishes can be toxic to pets, causing damage to their red blood cells and severe anemia. Keep stuffing and other dishes containing onions and garlic out of reach, and make sure your guests are aware not to share these with your pets.
Be Wary of Nuts:
Nuts, a common ingredient in stuffing and desserts, can be a choking hazard for pets. Some nuts, like macadamia nuts, are also toxic to dogs. Keep dishes containing nuts well out of reach, and remind guests not to share nut-filled snacks with your furry friends.
Mindful of Portions:
While it’s a joy to include your pets in the Thanksgiving festivities, be mindful of portion sizes. Too much rich or unfamiliar food can lead to upset stomachs, diarrhea, bloat, or even more severe health issues. Stick to small, pet-friendly portions to avoid any post-feast regrets.
Knowing what foods are pet-friendly and keeping tempting but harmful treats out of reach, you can create a Thanksgiving feast that includes every member of the family, furry ones included.

Our groomers see it every year – thick undercoats, early mats, and pups who start collecting snow like little four-legged magnets. While all that fluff may look cozy, tangled or impacted fur can actually prevent a dog’s coat from insulating the way nature intended.



A Fulfilled Cat Is a Healthy Cat
















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