Second Chance: Foster Love and Healing

06 Nov Second Chance: Foster Love and Healing

Almost 20 years ago, when Second Chance Humane Society got its start and was years away from having a shelter facility, homeless pets were cared for in local foster homes until they could be adopted out.  Fostering a pet in need of shelter, love, and guidance requires some extra time and space in your home and heart but it is one of the most rewarding ways to help homeless pets.  It connects Second Chance to its origins and remains a critical component of the care they provide today. There is plenty of need but never enough foster homes: I hope to change that.

Harrington

Homeless pets often arrive at the Second Chance with varying special medical or behavioral issues that are best transformed through a nurturing home environment.  Or, a pet may be placed in foster care simply because they are too young or the Shelter is temporarily short on space.

For me, a foster home will help me to heal.  My name is Harrington and I arrived at Second Chance Humane Society after being found limping about on the streets.  I had a broken femur, found to be symptomatic of being kicked very hard, and recently underwent major surgery to repair it (thanks to Second Chance’s Wags & Menace Medical Fund and the generosity of Dr. Gentry of Bair-Dog Animal Surgical Services and Ridgway Animal Hospital).

As a Chihuahua mix I am small in stature but big on love and affection and despite my injury and rough start to life, I am only 8 months of age, right now I just want to be held and coddled.  As I start to recover from my surgery I want this more than ever and feel that a foster home would be the perfect place for me to heal my body, mind, and soul.

I need roughly 6 more weeks of recovery time and therapy (gentle leg stretches twice/day and oral pain medication) and think being in a home where I can curl up in bed with someone to keep each other company would be just dreamy.  I know it would help my recovery dramatically.

Please consider contacting the Second Chance shelter today to discuss what fostering involves – where the rewards are forever and commitment is limited.  Beyond my situation Second Chance is always seeking foster homes for a variety of pets such as elder cats, young kittens, and under-socialized dogs.

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.  You can also view our shelter pets and services online.

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Well, pet 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. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles at least one, generally two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)