Second Chance Helps to Reunite Dog and Owner Separated by Hurricane Maria

Daya Just One of 18 Pets Making a New Home in Massachusetts

NORTH BROOKFIELD, MA (April 17, 2018) – There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as Juleyka Cruz and her family first saw their beloved dog Daya. It took a moment for the dog to realize what was going on, and then she leapt for joy into their arms. The family had been forced to relocate to Framingham without their dog after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico. They were excited to learn that Daya had been found and was on her way to Second Chance Animal Services Almost Home facility in North Brookfield.

Daya was one of 18 pets that arrived at Second Chance on the transport facilitated by St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare of Madison, NJ and the Puerto Rico Animals Unite Initiative. Second Chance picked up the pets in New Jersey this morning. The remaining pets who don’t have owners will be available for adoption at the Second Chance Adoption Center in East Brookfield after completing a quarantine period and medical release by staff veterinarians.

Conditions in Puerto Rico after Hurricanes Maria and Irma changed the lives of many families in Puerto Rico. Some who decided to relocate were forced to leave their pets behind due to a lack of transportation options. Second Chance was happy to continue their mission to help animals affected by the hurricanes by reuniting this dog and the owner. Last year Second Chance took in 120 pets from hurricane ravaged areas to help make room in the shelters in the affected areas for incoming pets. Second Chance also mentors a shelter in Puerto Rico through the Operation H.O.P.E. program. Two Second Chance vet techs traveled to Puerto Rico this past January, bringing supplies and helping to train local staff.

Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato reports Second Chance is grateful for their partnerships in Puerto Rico. “We are excited to be a part of the happy ending for pets and owners who have been through so much. Keeping pets and their families together whenever possible is our first priority.” Second Chance is an emergency partner for the ASPCA, Humane Society of the United States, and several others. They answer the call for help from many locations.

See Daya’s story on The Dodo

WWLP Channel 22 Coverage

The generous donations of blankets, towels, pillowcases, and sheets we received from Bed Bath & Beyond are used in the surgical department of our Wellness Clinic where we provide low cost spays and neuters, as well as life-saving surgeries and dental procedures. After surgery, the pets are snuggled in the blankets and towels to warm up as they wake from anesthesia. Pillowcases are filled with rice and turned into heating pads to keep our patients warm and comfortable through the recovery process. Sheets are draped over crates to dampen sounds and keep our patients calm until discharge. The worn blankets and towels get a second life at our Adoption Center where they are used to care for pets waiting to find their forever homes.

Second Chance Animal Services is a nonprofit committed to helping as many animals as possible and every dollar we save is a dollar that can be spent toward helping another animal. We do 6,000 surgeries a year resulting in approximately 14 loads of laundry a day. The linens take a beating so we are always faced with the need for more supplies like those we received from Bed, Bath & Beyond.

We are the only animal welfare organization in Massachusetts that operates subsidized veterinary clinics for pets in need. The donations help us keep the prices low at our veterinary clinic and allow us to offer subsidized pricing to those pet owners that would not otherwise be able to afford veterinary care. Every day we get calls from pet owners facing the decision of putting their pets to sleep because they cannot afford the estimate they received for an emergency surgery.

Barkley is a Staffordshire terrier who was just four months old when he came to us with a broken leg. His owner was running out of options to get him the medical help he needed. She told us his story.

“I came home a little later than usual and my baby boy was so ecstatically happy, he jumped up on me and then fell back and broke his hind leg in three places. He let out an awful yelp. He was crying in pain with tears coming down his face. I scooped him up put him in my car and flew to the closest animal hospital. I knew his leg was not right. I was given three options: euthanize him, amputate the leg, or pay over $10,000 for a surgery that they said might not work. I was beside myself, I couldn’t believe what I was just told about this poor dog. I researched many different organizations, hospitals, and emergency vet care, from Massachusetts to California. I was going in circles, getting the same answers. I was lost but I didn’t want to give up on him. While researching, I came across Second Chance. I remember calling, trying to get my words together. I explained everything between fighting back tears. I can remember the receptionist, a sweet voice, saying, “When can you get him here?” I couldn’t believe it! I told her I would be there in about an hour, and off we went.

When we arrived, the vets took him in right away. They examined him and approached me in such a warm manner. They seemed to understand, they cared, and they were willing to take this major surgery on. Most importantly, Second Chance was willing to work with me. The care my dog received was phenomenal. The staff from the front end to behind the scenes was absolutely outstanding. They were so good to me. Finally, people that truly cared and were compassionate. It made such a difference and a huge weight was lifted.

Second Chance was my Barkley’s only chance when every door was shut in my face and I didn’t have it in me to surrender him. The rollercoaster was finally over. He had the surgery. I waited like it was my child. Without the assistance of Second Chance, none of my big-headed boy’s care would have been taken care of. From his medications, to his bandage changes, x-rays, bone grafts, and multiple surgeries, none of it would have been possible without Second Chance. They strive to ensure pets stay with their fur-ever families. The dedication these doctors show for the animals in need is simply amazing. I will always be so grateful and appreciative of Second Chance. Thank you for giving Barkley a Second Chance on life.”