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.

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
 

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.