SECOND CHANCE: ELVIS + CHRIS

03 Oct SECOND CHANCE: ELVIS + CHRIS

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue. Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. Every week, executive director Kelly Goodin will choose to profile two of the many animals from the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving homes. The column will be sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer and partners with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal. Below is Kelly’s 4th blog.

Last week’s TIO post provided a brief overview of the organization to familiarize readers with the breadth of programs and services that explain the Second Chance history and the organization’s positive effects throughout this region. One program in particular, Community Outreach, is be the focus of this week’s post because it is at the heart of the organization’s macro approach to animal welfare.

The Community Outreach Program pushes four critical goals to change the outlook of animal welfare in our service area. The goals include: a) increase the understanding and positive opinion regarding the importance of spaying/neutering pets; b) promote local adoptions and reduce regional pet overpopulation indicators; c) promote positive attitudes about homeless pets and enhance the human-animal bond; d) improve the behaviors, skills, attitudes and knowledge relative to being a responsible pet parent.

Prevention programs like our Community Outreach, offered throughout the country have helped to decrease the annual euthanasia of pets from 17 million (just 10-15 years ago) to under 4 million (now) and enable Second Chance to more fully operate from a preventative paradigm, with its inevitable, positive trickle down.

Preventative measures in all human and animal service fields have proven to be worthy financial investments as they significantly decrease the need for intervention services. As the Second Chance service region continues to grow, in human and pet population, so does the need for such preventative advances.

One of the exciting developments that resulted from Second Chance’s purchase of Angel Ridge Ranch as the region’s animal resource center is the capacity to grow the Community Outreach Program through more direct and interactive community opportunities. From dog behavior classes to kids camps Angel Ridge will allow for the possibilities of the program to expand and diversify. Contact us to learn more.

And now, it is my pleasure to introduce you to two of our many adoptable pets at Angel Ridge Ranch, Elvis and Christopher…

ELVIS THE CAT

ELVIS:

My name is Elvis and despite strong protests from my dignity I am going to give it to you straight…I NEED A HOME! Someone as cool and rockin’ as me should NOT be at a shelter as long as I have. Clearly I need to resolve my lifetime cycle of hard knocks. My life began six years ago as a homeless kitty. Fortunately I was rescued by Second Chance and adopted into a new home. Then, many months ago, things went south again: my family had to move and couldn’t take me with them. SO here I wait. I am handsome with rock star cat-itude. I also am declawed (a practice which Second Chance prohibits for its adoptable cats) so I need to stay safely indoors where I can continue my favorite activities – lounging and listening to my tunes. I am fortunate in that I have a secret admirer offering to pay $20 of my already low adoption fee!! Don’t miss out on this hunk, a hunk of burning love!!

CHRISTOPHER THE DOG

CHRISTOPHER:

I was rescued from a reservation in New Mexico by people who figured out I couldn’t fend for myself any longer. I think they were probably right because having a warm bed and regular meals sure is pretty awesome – not to mention the affectionate attention. It is quite transformative actually and it turned me into a full-on people pleaser because I don’t want to be discarded again. I became pretty wise living on my own, but this new life just fills me with exuberance. Give me the whole story – people, dogs, kids, cats – all magnificent. I think life is good. Adopt me and I will teach you that too. My name is Christopher.

The Second Chance Humane Society Animal Resource Center and Thrift Shop are both located in Ridgway, but service San Miguel, Ouray & Montrose Counties. Call the SCHS Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter, Volunteer, Feral Cat, or other Programs.  View our shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.