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Charlie’s Second Chance

Charlie is a resilient 7-week-old German Shorthaired Pointer who’s captured our hearts. Charlie came to us with a fractured leg.  The good news is that it’s a hairline fracture with no displacement. Since he’s so young, with some TLC, a splint, and lots of love, he’s expected to heal quickly!

The estimated cost for his treatment, including frequent bandage changes and monitoring, is around $1,000. We’ve set up a Facebook Fundraiser for all who want to help Charlie and pets just like him who come to us with medical needs. You can watch him grow before your eyes as he recovers and shows off his latest bandage colors on Facebook and Instagram.

Why We Do What We Do…

This handsome young pup is a perfect example of why we do what we do. When he wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t hold down any food, his family rushed him to an emergency hospital. It turned out that five-month-old Finley got himself into some serious trouble when he ate something he shouldn’t. He needed emergency surgery to remove the object, but the cost was more than his family could afford. Lucky for Finley, the emergency facility knew about Second Chance. His family brought him to our North Brookfield hospital where Dr. Jackie and her team stayed late to help save this boy. Happily Finley is back home with his grateful family.

We believe in making quality care accessible to all. Our four full-service hospitals are committed making sure every pet can get the care they need. All locations offer subsidized rates for those that qualify. After all, stories like Finley’s are the reason we do what we do.

Do you want to help? Your support can help pets like Finley get the care they need.

DONATE

Second Chance Animal Services – 111 Young Road – East Brookfield, MA 01515

On the Road to Keep Pets Healthy

This September, we are hitting the road with special low-cost pet vaccine clinics to help keep pets healthy. We are excited to announce a series of four community vaccine clinics scheduled for September.

These community vaccine clinics are part of Second Chance’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of pets within the local communities. With a mission to improve the lives of animals and the people who love them, Second Chance Animal Services is excited to bring essential veterinary services directly to pet owners in convenient and accessible locations.

Details for the upcoming community vaccine clinics are as follows:

Athol
Date: September 9
Location: Silver Lake (off Unity Road)
Time: 9AM to 12 Noon
Services: $5 Rabies Vaccine, $5 Distemper Vaccine, $22 Microchips

Chicopee – Dogs Only
Date: September 15
Location: Teddy Bear Pools and Spas, 41 East Street
Time: 9AM to 3PM
Services: $10 Rabies Vaccine, Free Distemper Vaccine

Fitchburg
Date: September 23
Location: Fitchburg Central Fire, 33 North Street
Time: 9AM to 12 Noon
Services: $5 Rabies Vaccine, $5 Distemper Vaccine, $22 Microchips

Orange
Date: September 30
Location: 18 Water Street
Time: 9AM to 12 Noon
Services: $5 Rabies Vaccine, $5 Distemper Vaccine, $22 Microchips

Pet owners are encouraged to take advantage of these clinics, which are made possible in part by grants including a grant from the Community Foundation for North Central Massachusetts. All services will be administered by Second Chance veterinary professionals with a dedication to the well-being of pets.

To ensure a smooth and efficient process, registration for the community vaccine clinics is available online at www.secondchanceanimals.org/vaccine-clinics. Pre-registration is recommended, but walk-ins will also be accommodated based on availability.

We are excited to bring our services to provide pet owners with access to essential vaccinations. By bringing these clinics to different communities, we aim to make it easier for pet owners to prioritize their pets’ health and well-being.

Second Chance also offers weekly low-cost vaccine clinics at each of their veterinary hospitals which are located in North Brookfield, Southbridge, Springfield and Worcester. For more information on all the services offered at our hospitals, please visit secondchanceanimals.org/vetcare.

We Are Hiring – Job Fair Mon, August 28th 10am-3pm

It takes a lot of hearts to help 44,000 pets a year!

If you believe that every pet deserves a ‘second chance,’ we invite you to explore a career at Second Chance. Grab your resume and visit our Worcester hospital job fair on Monday from 10 am to 2pm.  Our Community Veterinary Hospital, located at 831 Main Street in Worcester, is looking for lead surgical vet techs, vet techs and vet assistants.  We have a common goal at Second Chance: to help pets and the people who love them.

If you’re unable to attend, call (774) 243-1234 or apply online.

Charlie’s Second Chance

Charlie is a resilient 7-week-old German Shorthaired Pointer who’s captured our hearts. Charlie came to us with a fractured leg. But here’s the good news: our shelter vet says it’s a hairline fracture with no displacement. Since he’s so young, with some TLC, a splint, and lots of love, he’s expected to heal quickly!

Charlie need needs monitoring and frequent bandage changes which he is happy to show off on social media. The estimated cost for his care is around $1,000. We started a Facebook Fundraiser for anyone who wants to help Charlie and pets just like him who come to us with medical needs. You can watch him grow before your eyes as he recovers and see his latest bandage colors on Facebook and Instagram.

Charlie’s Second Chance

We’ve got a little pup who needs our support. Charlie is a resilient 7-week-old German Shorthaired Pointer who’s captured our hearts. Charlie came to us with a fractured leg.  The good news is that it’s a hairline fracture with no displacement. Since he’s so young, with some TLC, a splint, and lots of love, he’s expected to heal quickly!

We’ve established a Facebook fundraiser for those who wish to help give Charlie the care he needs. The estimated cost for his treatment, including frequent bandage changes and monitoring, is around $1,000.
Please help if you can! Every dollar makes as impact. Your support will make a difference for Charlie and pets just like him who come to us with medical needs.

Charlie need needs monitoring and frequent bandage changes which he is happy to show off on social media. You can watch him grow before your eyes as he recovers and see his latest bandage colors on Facebook and Instagram.

Senior Dogs Fetch Grant at Second Chance Community Veterinary Hospitals

Old dogs have something to wag about 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 90 animal welfare groups chosen from 370 applicants to receive a grant to help local senior dogs. Together the winning groups received a total of $848,000 in grants to help save or improve the lives of at-risk old dogs in their communities.

When her son and daughter-in-law passed away, a grieving mother inherited their elderly dog.  Charlie Brown was her last link to the kids, but he was 16 years old and desperately needed dental surgery. The cost of Charlie Brown’s surgery was more than her budget could bear.  Thanks to a generous grant we recently received from The Grey Muzzle Organization, Charlie Brown was able to get his surgery. The grant has allowed his owner to know that she is giving Charlie Brown the best chance possible while still being able to meet her own needs.
 
This grant will help us give senior dogs like 16-year-old Charlie Brown the veterinary care they need. No one is more grateful or loving than an old dog, and we’re looking forward to helping more senior dogs get the second chance they all deserve.

Over the past 15 years, the national nonprofit Grey Muzzle Organization has provided more than $4.6 million in grants to support its vision of “a world where no old dog dies alone and afraid.”

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re delighted to help deserving organizations like Second Chance make a difference in the lives of dogs and people in their communities,” Grey Muzzle’s Executive Director Lisa Lunghofer said. “Many senior dogs in Massachusetts are enjoying their golden years in loving homes thanks to the wonderful work of Second Chance.”

Second Chance helps over 44,000 pets a year and operates four veterinary hospitals in Central and Western Massachusetts communities.  These hospitals offer full-service veterinary care at competitive rates with subsidized rates for those that qualify. With this generous grant, senior pets with needs that strain their owner’s budget can now get the care they need.  For more information, please call the closest Second Chance hospital.  Visit www.secondchanceanimals.org/vetcare/ for location phone numbers.

The national nonprofit The Grey Muzzle Organization improves the lives of at-risk senior dogs by providing funding and resources to animal shelters, rescue organizations, sanctuaries, and other nonprofit groups nationwide. For details, please visit www.greymuzzle.org
 

This is what she worked so hard for…

The long road home, the lessons learned and the love left behind…

Nellie’s Second Chance

When I first met Nellie (the shelter staff and volunteers knew her as Socks, as that was her name when she was surrendered), I gave her a new name for her new start. I knew she was smart, probably the smartest dog I have met at the shelter, but she needed help dealing with her emotions.  I think she understood her problems and was willing to work on them once I earned her trust.  Little did I know that she would help me just as much dealing with my mine. In the nine months we worked and played and walked together we, at times, would need to comfort each other and build each other’s confidence. And that we did.  I was certain we had a lot to learn from each other but I was not prepared for all that she would become to me along the way.  Student, teacher, friend, my rock, my girl, my Nellie.

9 months in the shelter, countless Dog’s Days Out, miles of trails, lots of hard work and just a few days before her 4th birthday, Nellie went home and I smiled through the tears.

Oh, Nellie. I knew this one was going to be tough and it was.  I knew I would have trouble letting her go and I did. I knew that my emotions would be all over the place when she finally went home. They were.  I knew I was going to miss her terribly and I do.  I love volunteering and I love this work and I love all these shelter dogs.  But Nell is special. She will always hold a special place in my heart.

Nellie was there for me and helped me grieve the loss of both of my parents.  She was a great comfort to my family on the day my father died.  I stopped at the shelter on my way to my childhood home and picked up Nell as I knew she would be a good companion.  She gave hugs to my mother and sister and rolled around on the floor with my brother as we all came to terms with the loss. She was a great comfort and beautiful distraction.  My father would have loved her if he got to meet her.  Three months later it was Nell that walked with me before my mother’s wake as I tried to process all that had happened and it was her, I visited after the funeral just to spend time with my friend.

So, I met her potential adopters.  I told them all I knew about her and everything they should know and of course they saw how special she is and decided to give Nellie her Second Chance.  So, after both of Nellie and I had a bit of a meltdown, I walked her over to the car where she sat and waited for the door to open and it did and she jumped in.  Everyone was saying good bye to her.  When a dog like Nell is at the shelter that long I think everyone gets more attached than they realize. There were tears, there were smiles, and then there was whatever it was I was feeling.   She poked her head out from the back seat, paws on the center console, like always, and that smile on her face.  Finally, I lowered my head, ducked into the car, and grabbed her face, kissed her on the nose, told her I loved her and then; I watched them drive away.

This is what she worked so hard for. This is why we sat in my car in the dead of winter reading books and watching videos and taking courses.  This is what I wanted for her since she walked into the shelter 9 months ago. This is what I promised her.  This is her second chance.  These are wonderful people that really seem to get her and are willing to continue her conditioning and take her on through this next chapter of her life.  This is a good thing.  I should be happy, and I am.  But I really am going to miss my friend, my teacher, my rock, my girl, My Nellie.

Happy Birthday Nellie

Mike -long time SCAS volunteer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nellie is finally home!  Her family tells us she is doing amazing.  She’s making lots of friends including the security guards that she visits every night.  She needs to say hi to them and sit in their laps for a few minutes before bed. 

Introducing Project Keep Me – a Program to Help Domestic Violence Survivors and Their Pets

No one should have to sacrifice the security and love provided by their pets due to domestic violence

We are very excited  to announce the launch of Project Keep Me, a groundbreaking pilot program aimed at addressing the critical need for companion pet shelter resources for survivors of domestic violence. This program will provide temporary housing for the beloved pets of domestic violence survivors, enabling pet owners to seek safe housing arrangements while ensuring the well-being of their animal companions.

The unfortunate reality in our area is that emergency housing resources for survivors of domestic violence often cannot accommodate their companion animal. As a result, many victims find themselves trapped in dangerous living situations, afraid to leave their pets behind. Recognizing this pressing issue, Second Chance has developed Project Keep Me as a compassionate solution to help break this cycle of fear and abuse.

Project Keep Me will offer a safe haven for pets, including shelter, food, and medical care if needed, during the transitional period when their owners are seeking temporary safe housing arrangements. By alleviating the distressing choice between personal safety and the well-being of their cherished pets, this program aims to empower survivors to prioritize their own safety without compromising the welfare of their furry companions.

The pilot program operates under the belief that no one should have to sacrifice the security and love provided by their pets due to domestic violence. Through Project Keep Me, Second Chance Animal Services strives to create an environment where survivors can confidently seek assistance knowing that their pets will be sheltered and cared for, giving them the freedom to pursue the safety and support they deserve.

Second Chance’s Project Keep Me will offer temporary boarding and care, lasting up to 90 days, for pets whose owners are seeking support from domestic violence assistance programs. Upon successful transition to safe, permanent housing, survivors will be joyfully reunited with their pets. The emotional and psychological benefits of this reunion cannot be overstated, as the presence of a beloved animal companion has been proven to enhance healing and recovery for individuals who have experienced trauma.

We are offering the program on a limited basis at this time as we establish relationships with local domestic violence resource providers who ensure pet owners have the support they need. We are committed to removing the barriers that prevent individuals from seeking safety and support and firmly believe that everyone deserves a second chance, both survivors and their animal companions.

Second Chance Animal Services invites the community, businesses, and philanthropic partners to support Project Keep Me through donations. Together, we can make a meaningful impact in the lives of domestic violence survivors and their pets, providing hope and safety when it is needed most.

For more information about Project Keep Me and how you can help, please visit www.secondchanceanimals.org/project-keep-me.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or abuse, there is help.  Call SafeLink, a 24/7 Crisis Hotline at (877) 785-2020,  (877) 521-2601 (TTY) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (800) 799-7233.

Veterinary Hospitals:

When dialing Second Chance Animals please be certain to dial the full number including the area code, thank you!

N. Brookfield Community Vet Hospital
372 N. Main St.
North Brookfield, MA 01535
(508) 637-1333
northbrookfield@secondchanceanimals.org

Springfield Community Vet Hospital
67 Mulberry Street
Springfield, MA 01105
(413) 739-2343
springfield@secondchanceanimals.org

Worcester Community Vet Hospital
831 Main Street
Worcester, MA  01610
(774) 243-1234
worcester@secondchanceanimals.org

Southbridge Community Vet Hospital
700 Worcester Street
Southbridge, MA  01550
(774) 318-1101
southbridge@secondchanceanimals.org

Adoption:

Adoption Center
111 Young Road
East Brookfield, MA 01515
(508) 867-5525
adoption@secondchanceanimals.org

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