Second Chance: 20 Great Years & 2015 Glance

31 Dec Second Chance: 20 Great Years & 2015 Glance

The year 2014 was another notable one for Second Chance Humane Society, marking our 20 year anniversary and highlighting how far we have come.

Twenty years ago there were no resources available for homeless pets in our region, while today homeless pets are truly provided with a second chance.

Licorice

Below is a summary of where we are and how we plan to continue our life-saving programs and services.

This year we moved our homeless dog population out of the barn and into the region’s first purpose-built dog facility, jumping our housing capacity from 10 to 25 dogs.

We also completed two outdoor cat cabins so that our homeless cats could also securely get some fresh air while waiting for their adoptions.

To help fund our growing operations we received ownership of the Telluride Thrift Shop and are now running two thrift shops to cover over 65% of our operating costs.

In early fall we transformed the former dog quarters in the barn to a medical suite and now, with our new medical director, Dr. Michelle Dally, are able to provide the majority of medical treatment for our pets onsite. With this space, we also just kicked off the first ever low cost spay/neuter clinic in Ouray County (servicing the tri-county area) and plan to continue these regularly for 2015.

In the final month of the year we were able to raise enough money to complete the roofs along the outdoor dog runs so the dogs can access the runs all year long. And, amidst all of this growth we hit a new record in the number of pets rescued in a year (first time over 400!).   

So what are our 2015 goals?

Now that we have grown our intervention capabilities through expanded, enhanced, and more efficient housing facilities we will return our focus to our prevention work. Primarily we will have regular low cost spay/neuter clinics while also pumping up our community outreach and education programming – all with the intention of reducing the need for intervention services.

Our mission: Saving Animals’ Lives and Promoting Responsible Pet Parenting & the Human-Animal Bond will continue to drive what we do and how we do it while assessing and responding to any animal welfare gaps within our service area and beyond.

And we hope to build upon the support from our community that allows us to succeed in reducing the margin between reality and our goals.

We are truly grateful for your support and look forward to a great 2015!

In closing, a word of thanks from a furry spunkster named Jerry.

Hi animal lovers!  I am a seven-month-young little dude who is particularly grateful for your support this year. Without people like you I would probably be a sad little kitty. But instead I am neutered, healthy, and ready to be adopted into a family where I can let my spunk out and my soul shine.

Jerry

And my friend Licorice is really hoping for a new home quickly as his brother Truffle was just adopted and he is feeling left out. Licorice is five months and a handsome playful Black Lab boy, who was rescued, with his bro, after being abandoned to fend for themselves.

Here’s to a new home for me for 2015 and a great New Year for all!

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.

Ted Hoff & Mae

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.)