Dive in to our Summer Newsletter
It may be hot outside, but the latest edition of Mutt Matters and Cat Chatters is filled with heartwarming stories that will warm your heart even more.
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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.
Join the Rare Gems Foster Crew
Have you ever wanted to help a shelter dog, but you aren’t ready to take on the lifelong commitment? We are looking for fosters to join our Rare Gems Foster crew! This can be a great way to make a huge difference in the life of a shelter pet by fostering for a short time at no cost.
What is a Rare Gem? It’s a dog who has been at the shelter for longer than usual due to specific needs. They are diamonds in the rough who need just a bit of time, patience, and polishing!
Living in a shelter can be a stressful experience for dogs, no matter how wonderful the shelter. Space and activity are limited compared to a home, and they are exposed to all the activity and noise of their neighbors. For older dogs or dogs who are stressed by the presence of other animals, this can be even more challenging.
Many wonder whether it would be more stressful for a dog to go into a foster home, only to be brought back. The opposite is true. Research has shown that cortisol levels (stress hormones) drop when shelter dogs spend as little as 24 hours outside the shelter. When the dogs returned to the shelter their cortisol levels increased but are still below their baseline levels. Some dogs were also reported to have improved behavior and more relaxed demeanor upon returning to the shelter.
In a home environment shelter dogs can decompress and get more sleep and individualized attention. Another huge benefit is the opportunity to learn more about the dog. This information makes it easier to find the right permanent placement. This is especially important for dogs who already may have barriers to getting adopted, such as being a senior dog, a shy dog, or needing to be the only pet. A foster family can also help the dog learn house manners and improve their social skills if needed.
Pecan is one dog who would really benefit from some time in a foster home. She can be a nervous girl but attaches to her caretaker and then settles down. Pecan is a high-energy dog who has learned some skills and would love someone to keep working with her. Socialization is so good for her, and lots of exercise would help tire her out. She would like a dog friend, but kids might make her nervous. She is a super smart girl and might like to be an agility dog. A foster situation would give staff the information they need to help find her a forever family.
We are also looking for a foster home for the aptly named rare gem RUBY! Ruby is 9.5-year-old English setter/bulldog mix. Her ideal weight would be around 50 pounds, but she is currently underweight and receiving care to reach a healthy weight. Ruby needs a foster home with no other pets or children in the home. Her ideal home would also include a comfy dog bed (or couch!) to snooze on, and a fenced yard to stretch her legs in because she still gets zoomies. Most of all…a gentle patient foster parent who gives Ruby space to be herself.
8-year-old Houston also needs a foster. He’s mostly likely a Lab/boxer/terrier mix and weighs about 70 pounds. Houston knows several commands and appears to be housebroken. His foster should have experience with large dogs and have no other pets or children in the home. Houston loves to chase toys and carry them around and hopes for a comfy dog bed for naps and a fenced yard for exercise.
Being a Rare Gems foster can be a great opportunity for students taking dog behavior classes to learn and practice what they are learning. Rare Gems fosters should live within 45 minutes of one of the Second Chance vet hospitals so they can easily receive continued veterinary care. Anyone interested in becoming a Rare Gems foster should email raregemsfoster@secondchanceanimals.org for more information.
Why I Volunteer at Second Chance
Special guest blog post by Morganne, Second Chance Volunteer
As a volunteer, I package pet food that gets delivered to (human food) pantries and, in some cases, I package donated pet toys for fundraisers. I even fold newsletters for upcoming fundraisers. To make all those cats and dogs out there happy, that’s why it’s done.
In many instances, it helps the owners too. There are people out there who can’t afford to feed their pets or themselves at times, and it’s truly heartbreaking because of the sacrifices those people make to keep their furry companions around. Sometimes, their pets are all they have.
Pets are like loved ones, losing even one is very painful, no matter how old you are. Even animals have feelings for their human companions, so it’s important that we give them the support they need to be happy and healthy.
Although bagging food or toys can be a little tedious, I do it because it feels good to help animals and humans alike. They need us, as much as we need them. That’s why I keep coming back every week and feel honored to be providing this service for the greater good.
Click here for more information on volunteering at Second Chance.
Dog Grooming Now Available in Southbridge
Grooming Comes to Southbridge Second Chance Veterinary Hospital
Subsidized Rates Now Available for Grooming Services
Grooming is not just about making your furry family member look good. It can also play a vital role in their overall health and help prevent a wide range of issues that can affect their quality of life. We are now offering dog grooming services at our Southbridge Community Veterinary Hospital with subsidized pricing for those that qualify.
While grooming needs vary by breed, grooming can be a very important part of keeping pets healthy. Regular grooming helps remove loose hair, dirt, and debris from your dog’s coat, preventing matting and tangles that can lead to skin irritation and infections. It also stimulates blood flow to the skin, promoting a healthy, shiny coat.
Second Chance has taken in many long-haired shelter pets in dire need of grooming. The before and after photos are remarkable, but what really stands out to me is how grooming can bring out the spunk in so many pets. Grooming can also help prevent painful conditions like ingrown nails, ear infections, and dental problems and helps detect any unusual lumps, bumps, or skin changes that may indicate an underlying health issue. Catching these issues early on can help prevent more serious problems down the line.
It’s for the latter reasons that we’ve added subsidized rates on grooming services to help pets live better lives. All our hospitals have been offering subsidized rates for veterinary care as part of their mission to keep pets in their homes and out of shelters. We recently added grooming to our Southbridge educational hospital so Bay Path Vocational/Technical High School students in the veterinary science program could learn about grooming alongside experienced groomers.
Hospital Director Shellina Meixner is thrilled to be able to offer affordable dog grooming. We’ve also added walk in nail trims for only $10 during our grooming days – dog owners must provide a valid rabies certificate for all grooming services.
Overall, regular dog grooming is a crucial part of pet care that should not be overlooked. Whether you do it yourself or take your pup to a professional groomer, the benefits are clear: a happy, healthy, and well-cared-for furry friend. Pet owners who would like to take advantage of Second Chance’s grooming services can call 774-318-1101 to schedule an appointment.
Walk-in nail trims are also available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8am to 4:30pm at the Southbridge vet hospital, 700 Worcester Street, Southbridge. For more information and pricing, visit our Grooming Page.
Dogs Who Faced a Certain Death Ready for a Second Chance
Helping Dogs Rescued from the South Korean Meat Trade
To look at one-year old Liam, an adorable Labrador retriever mix, you would be hard pressed to guess all that he’s been through in his short life. Liam eyes every visitor to the dog room at the Adoption Center and barks to make sure he’s got your attention. Liam is one of five dogs that we brought back from a Maryland rehabilitation center last month. They were part of a group of approximately 120 dogs rescued from the South Korean Meat Trade that were being cared for by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Second Chance has long partnered with the HSUS as an emergency placement partner and we are often called upon to help with cases like this. South Korea is currently contemplating a dog meat ban and the farm where Liam and the other dogs came from is transitioning to growing cabbage and other crops through the Humane Society International/South Korea’s “Model for Change Program”. We are proud to work with the HSUS to give these dogs the best start at a new life.
All five dogs are doing amazing. They’ve obviously been through a lot in their short lives, but the dogs have made great progress. They were so shy when we first met them, and we have been in awe watching them get brave enough to explore our play yard and begin to come out of their shells.
Since they’ve never had the chance to be a dog, they will need patient families who can help with things like walking on leash who are ready to give them the great life they deserve. Liam is currently available for adoption. Jackson, Star and Buttons are still at the our Almost Home facility in North Brookfield where shelter pets entering Massachusetts complete their state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and receive any care they may need before they are ready for adoption. They are just waiting for kennel space to open up at the adoption center so they too can find their forever homes. The fifth pup is being fostered and we suspects he has already stolen his foster’s heart.
If you are interested in adopting one of these special pups, you can find the available dogs’ bios on our adoptable dog page or come visit during adoption hours: Monday through Friday – 10am to 3pm, Thursday evenings from 5 to 7pm and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm.
Want to help more pets like Liam get their second chance? Your donation can save lives! Thank you.
A Call for Change to Help Homeless Pets in Massachusetts
Your Help is Needed – Sign the Petition Today!
It’s time to help homeless pets in MA by demanding that the state follow the ASV (Association of Shelter Veterinarians) national best practice standards and stop burdening shelters with regulations that go against what is national best practices so we can get more homeless pets in homes.
Did you know that Massachusetts is the ONLY state that makes shelters isolate pets from out of state for 48 hours even though they come in with health certificates? This causes a huge financial burden to shelters and is against the national best practices because it causes undue stress on these pets with longer hold times in isolation before being allowed to be put up for adoption.
Did you know that when pet supply stores generously give a FREE adoption center within their building to shelters to bring in rescue animals to promote their adoption, the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture treats the animals as if they were owned by the pet supply stores and require shelters to pay for a vet exam every 7 days instead of what is in the shelter regulations? Why? These animals do not become pet supply store owned animals simply by being brought into the building. And no pet that has already been deemed healthy and ready for adoption needs to go to the vets every 7 days (instead of every 180 as is required in the shelter regulations). This puts another unnecessary burden on shelters for financial costs. These wonderful adoption centers in these stores are often a lifeline for shelter pets to get seen and adopted!
It is time for us to stand up for shelter pets. So many pets are being euthanized in overcrowded shelters in other states when they could come to shelters with space in MA but shelters in MA cannot afford the 48 hold isolation facilities that are required. No other state does this!
We want to see MA be like every other state in the country and welcome homeless pets into the state with a health certificate. These health certificates are done by a veterinarian and state that the pet is healthy and can travel. Every other state in the country accepts this without further burden of a 48 hour hold EXCEPT Massachusetts.
Shelter pet’s lives are at stake and we need to make a change. Please help! We need your signature today to demand change. The longer this goes on, the more pets sit in shelters longer or worse never get a chance.
You can read the shelter regulations on the state of MA website to see just how burdensome they are, costing shelters and you the adopters more money, causes shelter pets to sit in shelters longer and to risk additional stress related illnesses on the pets and prevents shelters from helping more pets. Shelters are now closing or on the brink of closing, free adoption space in pet supply stores go empty because they cannot afford these burdensome and unnecessary costs. This leaves less space for pets at risk of euthanasia.
Your signature TODAY could make all the difference to get attention on this fight. Shelters and rescues in MA live in fear of fighting back, animals need someone to fight for them, and this is the way we need to do it! Thank you for helping and please spread the word!
How you can help: 1) Sign the petition, 2) Share this petition, 3) Demand change from your legislators, and 4) Get the word out to help shelter pets!
Thank you for helping shelter pets!
Bugs Bunny & Leif Need Your Help
These two sweeties named Bugs Bunny and Leif came to Second Chance from a crowded Georgia shelter. They are both suffering from a very painful eye condition called entropion. This is when the eyelid is rolled in, causing the haired portion to rub the surface of the eye. You can see that poor Leif, the black cat on the right, has it much worse.
When they arrived, both had developed secondary infections which we’ve been treating. Now they are ready for their life-changing surgeries so they can get their ‘second chance.’ They are being cared for by our amazing Almost Home team who tell us that Bugs Bunny loves to ride on shoulders.
Bugs was able to get his surgery this week, but may need an additional surgery to fully correct the painful condition.
Please help them get the surgeries they need so they can be the amazing family pets they long to be. If you are able, please consider making a donation to help Bugs Bunny and Leif, and pets like them, to get the care they need.