Second Chance: New Clinic for Homeless Pets

21 Oct Second Chance: New Clinic for Homeless Pets

$20K DONATION RESULTS IN NEW MEDICAL CLINIC FOR HOMELESS PETS

Dr. Michelle Dally examining Clarence

Homeless pets at Second Chance Humane Society will soon be getting better access to medical care than ever before thanks to a recent generous donation of emergency lifesaving medical equipment.

Cindy Lee and the Wags and Menace Makes a Difference Foundation, based in Denver, provided $20,000 in funding for a new anesthesia machine, surgery table, surgery packs, and all necessary equipment to handle spay and neuter surgeries as well as most general medical care requirements for shelter pets.

“We have partnered with Wags and Menace to provide special medical care to our shelter pets for over 7 years now. They have been the primary contributor to our medical care fund and have helped us save so many lives and stop needless suffering of so many pets,” stated Second Chance executive director Kelly Goodin.

Lee, president of the Wags and Menace Make a Difference Foundation, said in a statement that the new equipment will allow Second Chance to “save more lives, have more animals adopted and be given a second chance on life.”

“This is such a tremendous asset for the shelter and our region,” said Goodin. “Being able to perform most of our necessary medical procedures and care here at the shelter with a certified vet expands our capacity and potential to fulfill our mission and allows us to help even more animals in our region.”

The equipment will be set up in what was the former dog shelter before the new Dog Den, completed late spring of this year, was constructed.

Rufus, being treat at new Second Chance clinic

“Back when we committed to building the Dog Den we had planned to transform the former dog shelter into a medical facility as we felt that would be the best use of the space. We had no idea it would happen so quickly and can’t thank the Wags and Menace Foundation enough for this opportunity,” Goodin exclaimed.

With the equipment and medical supplies the onsite veterinarian will be able to provide most medical needs other than X-rays. Goodin estimated that around 95 percent of the animals received at the shelter need either spay or neuter operations or other medical care.

“Previously, that care was handled by local veterinarians so having the equipment on site will not only save us money but also time in transporting animals to various veterinarians throughout the region.”

Second Chance Shelter Manager Elizabeth Kirwin is delighted with the donation and will be wasting no time putting it to use. Kirwin added,

“It’s just a tremendous benefit for our shelter operations and expands our potential to grow and offer more immediate care for our animals – thus minimizing their time waiting for a new home.”

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.)