Thursday night at the DCU Center, we received both Best Veterinary Clinic and Best Pet Grooming Company in the 2024 Best of Central Mass Community Choice Awards.
Friday we were honored at the MassMutual Center as a recipient of the Springfield Regional Chamber’s 2024 Super 60 list in the Non-Profit category!
Thank you to everyone who cast your vote for Second Chance. We share these honors with our amazing staff, volunteers and supporters!
Our Southbridge and North Brookfield Community Veterinary Hospitals offer laser therapy. Laser therapy is an alternative therapy to medicine which offers many benefits. This therapy uses light waves to activate cells and promote growth, proliferation, migration and repair of tissue. This is a pain free treatment that can help with many conditions which include but are not limited to: arthritis, ear infections, ligament injuries, muscle injury, and aiding in post-operative healing. The main benefits include decreased inflammation, decreased pain, and improved tissue healing.
We are happy to offer individual treatments as well as therapy packages for long term therapy. Please call your preferred hospital location if you are interested in this service.
North Brookfield: 508-637-1333
Southbridge: 774-318-1101
Second Chance Animal Services is proud to announce the expansion of its veterinary team and the addition of new programs aimed at tackling the root causes of animal suffering and surrender. This strategic move underscores Second Chance’s commitment to saving more lives by addressing issues before they lead to surrender or abandonment.
As part of this expansion, Second Chance is adding more veterinarians to its team, enabling the organization to offer increased access to affordable veterinary care, preventive services, and essential resources like pet food pantries. These efforts are designed to keep pets healthy and in their homes, reducing the need for them to be surrendered to shelters.
“While adoptions are a critical aspect of animal welfare, they address the problem after it has occurred,” said Sheryl Blancato, CEO of Second Chance Animal Services. “Our focus is on prevention—keeping pets out of shelters in the first place by addressing the root causes of their suffering and surrender.”
Key Benefits of the Root Cause Approach:
– Prevention Over Reaction: By offering affordable veterinary care and essential resources, Second Chance prevents issues that often lead to surrender, such as financial hardship or lack of access to medical care. This proactive approach saves more lives by reducing the number of animals that end up in shelters.
– Keeping Families Together: Financial constraints are a leading cause of pet surrender. Second Chance’s expanded services help families maintain their pets, preventing the emotional trauma of separation and ensuring pets remain in loving homes.
– Reducing Shelter Overcrowding: Addressing the root causes of surrender helps reduce the number of animals entering shelters, alleviating overcrowding and improving the chances of successful adoptions for those animals that do need new homes.
– Comprehensive Care for Lifelong Well-being: The addition of more veterinarians allows Second Chance to provide continuous care, ensuring that pets remain healthy throughout their lives, which in turn reduces the likelihood of surrender.
– Community Outreach Impact and Education: Second Chance’s programs providing services directly in the community such as vaccine clinics help to prevent disease. Second Chance’s educational program in schools help to teach children about safety around pets and responsible pet ownership, the importance of preventive care, and the resources available. This education is also provided at community outreach events to give pet owner this knowledge which empowers the community to make informed decisions, reducing the likelihood of future surrenders and promoting a culture of care and compassion.
– Breaking the Cycle of Surrender: By addressing financial and health challenges at their source, Second Chance is breaking the cycle of surrender, ensuring that pets stay in stable, loving homes where they can thrive.
– Long-Term Cost Savings: Preventing surrenders through affordable care is more cost-effective than rehoming surrendered animals, allowing Second Chance to allocate more resources toward expanding these life-saving programs.
– Holistic Animal Welfare: This expanded approach reflects a holistic model of animal welfare, focusing not just on rescuing and rehoming animals but also on ensuring that pets in homes stay healthy and cared for.
Transforming Lives, One Pet at a Time
The expansion of services and the addition of veterinary staff are central to Second Chance’s new “Transforming Lives: One Pet at a Time” campaign. This initiative is designed to raise awareness and funds to support the organization’s efforts to tackle the root causes of animal suffering. Through this campaign, Second Chance aims to engage donors and the community in creating a sustainable model of animal welfare that ensures more pets live long, healthy, and happy lives with their families.
“We’re excited to be at the forefront of innovative animal welfare solutions,” added Blancato. “Our expanded programs and services are a testament to our commitment to saving lives in a more effective and compassionate way.”
Second Chance Animal Services, 111 Young Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515
As you may have seen in the news, Second Chance recently stepped in to assist an overwhelmed pet owner, taking in 23 small dogs in need of urgent care. We are currently assessing and treating these pups, and are preparing them for adoption.
The dogs, all under four years of age and weighing 10 pounds or less, are a mix of Maltese, Poodle, Yorkie, and Shih Tzu breeds. The dogs, 14 males and 9 females, are currently receiving the care they need, including spay/neuter surgeries, treatment for fleas, vaccines, testing, and other medical needs. With so many animals needing care, your support is more crucial than ever.
They’re settling in, becoming more social, and finally receiving the love and attention they deserve. Some dogs, like Moana, need extra care, including dental procedures, treatment for ear infections, and surgery for conditions like cherry eye. Your generosity will help Moana and others like her get the treatments they need to thrive.
After another round of baths, they’re looking extra cute, and their fur is beginning to regrow. Some are still a little shy, but they’re blossoming under the care of our team.
These pups are getting healthier every day, and we expect some to be ready for adoption by as early as Friday. We estimate the total cost of care for these dogs to be around $15,000, which includes spay/neuter surgeries, vaccines, and any medical treatments they may need. With your help, these dogs will have a bright future, full of love and companionship.
Your generosity, no matter the amount, will make a lasting difference in their lives. Thank you for being a part of their journey to health and happiness!
Mass. animal shelter needs help after 23 dogs surrendered all at once – Boston.com
Funds needed to support 23 dogs surrendered to local animal shelter – WWLP
This week has been incredibly challenging for us at Second Chance. We’ve had an unprecedented influx of animals with urgent medical needs, and we need your help to give them the best care possible.
Rocky: This 14-week-old sweet and playful kitten needs a right front leg amputation. Rocky came to us in pain from an old, non-healing fracture that won’t get better on its own. Amputation will bring him the relief he desperately needs.
KJ: A 13-week-old Husky full of energy and love, KJ needs a left front leg amputation. Despite being a happy pup, KJ is in significant pain from an elbow fracture. Amputation is the best option to get him back to playing without pain.
Iris: A 1-year-old domestic short hair cat, Iris is a bit shy but incredibly sweet. She’s been limping on her right rear leg due to a complex, old fracture. Amputating her leg will finally end her long-term pain and give her a chance at a happy, pain-free life.
Laura: An energetic 8.5-year-old Pug, Laura is facing several challenges. She needs her painful, enlarged eye removed due to glaucoma and a cataract, and she’ll be spayed at the same time. Once she heals, Laura also needs extensive dental work. Despite her medical needs, she’s still full of love and energy.
This week has truly been a test of our resources, both emotionally and financially. We want to give Rocky, KJ, Iris, and Laura the care they deserve, but we can’t do it alone. Your donations will directly support their surgeries, medications, and aftercare.
We are keeping them as comfortable as possible and hope to perform their much-needed surgeries within the next week.
Please consider donating today to help us provide the life-saving surgeries these animals need. Any amount makes a difference in their journey to a pain-free life. Thank you for your support and compassion!
We’re excited to share the latest edition of our Second Chance Newsletter! It’s packed with heartwarming stories of the animals we’ve helped, along with details on upcoming events you won’t want to miss.
Thank you for being a part of the Second Chance family. Together, we’re making a real difference!
READ NOW
Together, we help over 49,000 pets a year to live better lives.
There’s good news for older dogs this summer as The Grey Muzzle Organization announces the recipients of its annual grants, and dogs at Second Chance Animal Services Community Veterinary Hospitals are among the winners.
Second Chance is one of 100 animal welfare groups chosen from nearly 400 applicants to receive a grant to help local senior dogs and the people who love them.
This grant will help us give senior dogs like seven-year-old Chloe the veterinary care they need to stay in their homes. Chloe was in great pain and struggling to walk. Thanks in part to a generous grant from the Grey Muzzle Organization, Second Chance was able to perform the tests to diagnose Chloe’s pain and get her on the path to recovery. Her grateful owner, recently affected by a fire, appreciated the assistance provided for Chloe’s treatment.
No one is more grateful or loving than a senior dog, and we’re looking forward to helping more get the second chance they all deserve.
Pet adoptions from shelters and rescues in Massachusetts urgently need your support, especially those that did not receive the grant for fee-waived adoptions. These organizations tirelessly work to provide a safe haven for countless animals, offering them a second chance at life. Without the grant, adoption fees may be a barrier for some potential pet owners, leaving these loving animals without homes. Your support can make a significant difference in ensuring that these animals find the forever families they deserve. Moreover, adoption fees are crucial for furthering the work and mission of these organizations, including Second Chance. These fees help cover some, but not all, of the cost of medical care, food, shelter, and other essential services, which allows shelters and rescues to continue their compassionate work. While this grant provided temporary relief, only 8 out of over 200 shelters were fortunate enough to benefit from it. When the grant is gone, the mission of all shelters and rescues continue, and they cannot survive without charging adoption fees. Although these fees do not cover the entire cost of caring for the animals, they help to offset some of the expenses. By choosing to adopt from these shelters and rescues that do still have to charge an adoption fee, you not only save a life but also help alleviate the burden on these vital community resources, ensuring they can keep their doors open to more animals in need. Please consider adopting, donating, or volunteering—every bit of help counts.
Second Chance has always believed that we need to get to the root causes of why pets end up in shelters in the first place. That is why the bulk of our work is on programs and services to keep pets out of shelters. The current crisis in shelters and rescues show that we can never build enough shelters or big enough shelters to house every pet that is in need. But we CAN create programs and services to keep pets out of shelters. That is why we have so many programs that include access to affordable veterinary care, safe havens for domestic violence victims and community programs such as community vaccine clinics that prevent disease in the communities. Please support these programs to help keep pets out of shelters in the first place.
Sheryl Blancato
As the temperature climbs, the danger of heat-related illnesses increases—not only for humans but also for our cherished pets. Unlike humans, pets cannot cool off by sweating; they can only sweat through their foot pads, relying mainly on panting to release excess heat. This makes them especially susceptible to heatstroke and other heat-related problems.
Breeds at Higher Risk
Certain breeds, especially English and French bulldogs, pugs, and other brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs and cats, are especially sensitive to hot weather. These breeds, along with any pets that have pre-existing breathing difficulties or are overweight, are at a very high risk of heat stroke. To ensure their safety, it’s crucial to limit their warm-weather activities to the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are cooler.
Important Tips to Keep Your Pet Cool
Here are some vital tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association to help keep your pet safe and cool during the warmer months:
Be Prepared
Keep Pets at Home
Keep Them Comfortable
Exercising with Your Pet
Signs of Heat Stress
It’s crucial to be able to recognize the signs of heat stress in your pet. If you observe any of the following, seek emergency veterinary care immediately:
– Anxiousness
– Excessive panting
– Restlessness
– Excessive drooling
– Unsteadiness
– Abnormal gum and tongue color
– Collapse
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your pet stays safe and comfortable during the hot summer months. Always prioritize their well-being and remember that if it’s too hot for you, it’s even hotter for them. Stay cool and keep your furry friends cool too!
Grace Kelly, a brave young kitten, recently came into our care at Second Chance after what our veterinarians suspect was a traumatic accident, possibly being hit by a car. Despite the challenges she’s faced, Grace’s sweet nature has captured the hearts of everyone here.
When Grace arrived, X-rays revealed the extent of her injuries: a fractured pelvis, a broken femur, and a damaged tail. These injuries caused her immense discomfort, but amidst her struggles, Grace’s spirit remained unbroken. Her resilience and affection have been a beacon of hope for us all.
To alleviate her pain and give her the chance to live a happy, active life, Grace needed a Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) surgery. This procedure was crucial for her recovery, and thanks to the generosity of our caring and compassionate supporters, Grace was able to receive her surgery and start on the path to healing.
Here’s a heartwarming note from her dedicated care team:
“Grace Kelly is recovering well! She is resting and relaxing in her cozy cat bed and eating breakfast in bed. She greets us each morning with sweet little chirps and loves head scritches.”
Following her surgery, Grace required approximately two weeks of cage rest to ensure proper healing. Yesterday marked an exciting milestone for Grace: she passed her check-up with flying colors and will soon be available for adoption. Now she can gradually increase her exercise regimen to help her muscles build back up.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to Grace’s care. Her journey from a tragic accident to a promising recovery is a testament to her resilience and the power of community support. Your generosity has been vital in giving Grace the second chance she truly deserves.
While Grace is on her way to finding her forever home, many other medically needy pets are waiting for their second chance. Your continued support is crucial in helping us provide the necessary medical care for these animals. Together, we can give more shelter pets the happy, healthy futures they deserve.
Your continued support is crucial in helping us provide the necessary medical care for these animals. Together, we can give more shelter pets the happy, healthy futures they deserve.
Thank you for your unwavering support and for believing in second chances.
UPDATE
Amazing news!!! Look who’s found her forever home!
“She has already settled in and is doing so well! Eating, using the litter box, playing. Her hip doesn’t seem to impact her spirit which is so great to see. She is a HUGE cuddlebug and hasn’t stopped purring since we brought her home. We feel so grateful to have her in our lives.”
Thank you to everyone who made this happy ending possible! We couldn’t do it without your support.