The post Twelve Stories of Hope and Healing in 2025 appeared first on Second Chance Animals.

Among the new arrivals is 8-year-old Esmeralda, a timid dachshund mix. She came to Second Chance under-socialized and fearful, but her gentle nature is starting to emerge. Esmeralda required surgery to repair a large hernia during her spay, and pre-surgical bloodwork revealed she is heartworm positive. Her treatment for heartworm, which can take 9–12 months, will be followed by a dental procedure. Her care alone is expected to total nearly $2,500.

The rescued dogs, a mix of Maltese, Poodle, Yorkie, and Shih Tzu breeds, were brought in under urgent circumstances. Thanks to the generous support of the community, they quickly received the medical attention they needed. All but one dog have been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and treated for other medical issues. These once-neglected dogs are now on the path to healthier, brighter futures.

We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support from our community. Because of your generosity, the original group of dogs are settling into new homes. Your donations made this possible, and we truly can’t thank you enough.

The total cost to care for these dogs exceeded $15,000. This case reminds us just how critical ongoing support is to our mission. Donations ensure we can continue providing life-saving medical care, shelter, and hope for pets in crisis, like Esmeralda and like Moana, who is awaiting specialized surgery for cherry eye.

We are asking for your continued support.

Your donation today will help us be ready for the next emergency, ensuring every pet in crisis gets the second chance they deserve. Your gift will support the animals still in our care and help prepare for future rescues.

DONATE NOW

The post 23 Rescued Dogs Find Forever Homes, Work Continues with More Dogs from Same Rescue Mission appeared first on Second Chance Animals.

We are excited l to announce that supporter Tito’s Handmade Vodka – the Vodka for Dog People – has stepped up after hearing our urgent plea for help during an unprecedented week, when we found ourselves caring for four shelter pets needing critical surgeries to end their suffering. Tito’s issued a $5,000 challenge match for the month of September to assist with the care of these and other shelter pets in need of urgent medical attention.

The match comes at a critical time, as late last week, another shelter pet was surrendered by local animal control in need of extensive medical care. Johnny, a one-year-old cat, is suffering from a fractured leg and a suspected fractured tooth.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Together, with Tito’s support, we can make a real difference for these pets and many more.

The post Help 2X the Pets Thanks to Tito’s Handmade Vodka appeared first on Second Chance Animals.

Meet Rocky, KJ, Iris, and Laura:

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!

Donate Now to Make a Difference!

The post Help Rocky, KJ, Iris, and Laura Find Relief! appeared first on Second Chance Animals.

It’s been an amazing year of saving lives thanks to your support. Join us as we count down the 12 Days of Second Chances by looking back at some of the amazing pets that together we’ve helped over the past year.

In January, this sweet baby came to us in pain. Ozzy had fallen through a grate onto a cement pad one story below, fracturing his femur. It was a clean break and one of our vets surgically pinned the limb to aid in healing.

He made a full recovery and was adopted by a loving family who shared an update on him when he turned one in October.

These two sweeties named Bugs Bunny and Leif came to Second Chance from a crowded Georgia shelter. They were both suffering from a very painful eye condition called entropion – their eyelids are rolled in, causing the haired portion to rub on the surface of their eyes.

They arrived with secondary infections that had to be treated before they could receive their life-changing surgeries.

Bugs had his surgery first, and after he recovered, he found his forever home. Leif’s entropion was much worse and he underwent surgery on both eyes. He made a full recovery and traveled to our Framingham PetSmart satellite where he found a loving new home.

When Onyx‘s healthy began to fail, her family felt they had no other options for their sweet 18-year-old cat. They were prepared for the worst when a visit to one of our full-service Community Veterinary Hospitals had an unexpected outcome. Lab work revealed that Onyx is hyperthyroid. With medication, Onyx’s thyroid levels could be managed so she can comfortably live out her remaining years. Onyx and her Mom were ecstatic to leave together. Second Chance Community Veterinary Hospitals were established to help keep pets with the people they love. Four locations are open to all with subsidized rates for those that qualify, so all pets can have access to the care they need. Right now, the need is great. More pet owners are relying on subsidized rates than ever before.

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 would eye every visitor to the dog room of the Adoption Center and bark to make sure he got your attention. He was one of five dogs that Second Chance brought back from a Maryland rehabilitation center that were part of a group of approximately 120 dogs rescued from the South Korean Meat Trade.

They were so shy when we first met them, and we were in awe as we watched them get brave enough to explore our play yard and begin to come out of their shells. Since they never had the chance to be a dog, they would need patient families who to help with things like walking on leash or simply playing. All five made great progress and found loving homes where they can have the great life they deserve.

Natty came to us in excruciating pain, suffering from a severe degloving injury to his leg. The skin and tissue had been torn away, leaving his limb vulnerable and exposed. Our dedicated team of veterinarians and staff immediately sprang into action, attempting to save his leg. Pain medication and constant monitoring were provided, but Natty’s distress was so overwhelming that he resorted to chewing on his own leg.

We had to make the difficult decision to amputate Natty’s leg to provide him with the comfort and quality of life he deserved. With your support, we were able to provide Natty with the surgery he desperately needed, and he emerged from the procedure with the resilience and strength that defines his spirit. Learning to walk without his leg proved to be no obstacle for this remarkable pup.

We are overjoyed to share the final chapter of Natty’s story. After all he had been through, Natty found his forever home—a place where he is cherished and adored. His new family including his three-legged dog sister Lucy love him unconditionally. You may even know him by his new name, Nugget the Timberyard BrewDog. His journey reminds us of the incredible impact we can make when we come together to support animals in need. Your generosity and compassion have transformed his life, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Day #6 is not just the story of one pet, but the story of hundreds of pets that our Homebound to the Rescue helps.  Funded entirely by generous donors like you and by grants, Homebound to the Rescue brings veterinary services to to low-income senior

housing areas at no cost to keep pets healthy and up to date on vaccinations.  This year, the need was great and Homebound to the Rescue worked with communities to set up visits throughout Central and Western Massachusetts to prevent seniors from having to choose between their pet and putting food on the table.

Day #7 is a story of lives saved through our community vaccine clinics. This year we were out in the community offering more life-saving vaccine clinics than in years. These low-cost vaccine clinics are part of Second Chance’s ongoing commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of pets within the local communities, improving the lives of animals and the people who love them.

Day #9 When five-month-old Teddy was hit by a car, the emergency vet recommended surgery to repair his injury. The cost for the surgery was more than the family’s budget could bear and they reached out to Second Chance for help. Second Chance is committed to providing access to care, offering subsidized rates for those that qualify so all pets can get the help they need.

Day #11 Charlie was just 7 weeks old when he came to us with a fractured leg. To save his leg, the shelter pup would need frequent bandage changes and close monitoring, which was made possible thanks to supporters like you. Charlie captured our hearts as he grew like a weed, often needing a new splint to keep up with his lengthening leg. We are happy to report that Charlie made a full recovery and was adopted by a loving family.

Day #12 Amelia was found wandering the grounds of the Southbridge Airport in November. The local animal control officer was able to get the scared little dog who had no microchip. She visited our groomer for a makeover. She was not claimed and was turned over to Second Chance where we found she was suffering from Lyme disease and would also need dental surgery.
Amelia is currently in the care of one of our loving fosters while she undergoes treatment.

We are so grateful for the support that made these Second Chances possible. If you would like to give the gift of hope to a pet in need in the coming year, please consider a donation in their honor.

The post 12 Days of Second Chances appeared first on Second Chance Animals.

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.

The post Why I Volunteer at Second Chance appeared first on Second Chance Animals.

Houston is a young pup who came to Second Chance suffering from a very serious condition – heartworm disease. Left untreated, he was at serious risk for lung disease, heart failure or even death.

With your support, pets like Houston get the treatment they need so they can get a true ‘second chance.” Houston underwent a series of injections and did amazing. His foster will bring him back in six months to confirm that the treatment was successful.

Thank you for giving Houston a ‘second chance.’

Poor one-year-old Oatmeal came to Second Chance suffering from upper respiratory congestion and nasal discharge that never completely went away. He needed a rhinoscopy (a scope of his nasal area) to find the cause of his condition.

At the time, we don’t know what the cause could be – it could have been something serious like cancer.

When the day came for his procedure, the specialist discovered that a rubber foreign object was lodged in his nose!

The object was removed and Oatmeal found his “furever” home at the Adoption Center this week. We are so grateful for your support so pets like Oatmeal can get the care they need.

Congratulations to Ray, a very special pup who recently found his forever home! Ray is a 6 month old Weimaraner who came to Second Chance on transport from an overcrowded shelter in Mississippi.

This sweet, energetic pup who loves to play, is blind in his left eye due to corneal scarring. Our vets say it is most likely from a previous injury and he does not appear to be in any pain. Ray charmed everyone who came to visit the shelter and he met his match in just 10 days.
Thanks to you, pets like Ray get the ‘second chance’ they deserve.

On behalf of everyone here at Second Chance, I want to thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Lindsay Doray
Chief Development Officer

Second Chance Animal Services

111 Young Road P.O. Box 136 East Brookfield, MA 01515

The post Meet Some of the Pets You have Helped appeared first on Second Chance Animals.

Charlie is his dad’s whole world. When his wife died seven years ago, his granddaughter got him a puppy (Charlie) to keep him company. Charlie developed a large mass on his thigh that couldn’t easily be removed and initial testing suggested it was malignant. A beloved pet’s serious illness or injury can wreak havoc on a senior budget, but Second Chance and Pets for the Elderly are committed to keeping pets and the people they love together whenever possible.

The post Keeping Pets & People Together appeared first on Second Chance Animals.

We all need downtime, and pets are no different. Especially in larger households or families with young children, pets may need a break from the activity, noise, and attention. Having someplace quiet to escape for a break is a good idea for pets in these homes if possible. If you find your pet wandering away from the action to take a nap, let them be for a while.

Pet owners should be on the lookout for signs of stress in their pet like excessive licking and chewing, whining, or destructive behavior or accidents in the house. Any new behavior can be a clue that something’s amiss. If the behavior continues, pet owners should talk to their veterinarian to help address the issue.

Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato is also reminding pet owners to help their pet adjust as people return to work. “Consider adjusting your schedule slowly or have a friend or family member check on them if that’s an option. Pets thrive on routine, so every time you have to change that routine, be patient.”

Blancato was thrilled to see how many pets were adopted from Second Chance as stay-at-home restrictions were put in place. “It was an ideal time for pets to be welcomed into a family. Now, as those families may be spending less time at home, we hope adopters will help their new pets adjust to the change.”

For those who have been home with their pets this whole time, Second Chance Medical Director Grace Park recommends taking steps to teach the pet to be alone again, or for the first time with newly adopted pets. “This can include leaving them home alone for a short period and gradually extending the length of time you are out. As you head out the door, you can reward calm behavior with a special treat. A peanut-butter-filled Kong or a food-dispensing puzzle toy is great if your pet is unable to destroy them.”

Most of all, Blancato and Park urge pet owners to remain understanding and not rush to surrender their pet if they return home to an accident or chewed-up shoe. With a little time and training, the pet can adjust to the new schedule. Pet owners who think their pet may need extra support can reach out to their veterinarian for help.

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