Second Chance: Shelter Pets Coming Your Way

12 Jul Second Chance: Shelter Pets Coming Your Way

My name is Freckles. I’m a year-and-a-half Red Heeler mix seeking a new family. The good folks here at Second Chance have learned that sometimes the best way to find homeless pets like me a new home is to get us out meeting potential candidates. They also offer some great opportunities for folks to come here to learn new things at the shelter, which is another way for me to find my soulmates.

Freckles

In the week since I’ve arrived here at Second Chance I’ve already been part of a presentation at the Ridgway State Park and been a featured adoptable at the Telluride Farmers Market. Both outings were great for me even though I didn’t meet my match yet. I love people and at both events, I got to meet (and kiss) more people than I ever did as a lonely stray pup.

These outings also allow me opportunities to become friendlier with the other shelter dogs: we bond more and then play more when we return to the shelter. We all wear these nice bright turquoise “adopt me” vests and walk well together showing people how well behaved we are and how we have learned to sit on request and chillax.

At the shelter we get to socialize too.  I even got to participate in an onsite public training class where members of the community brought their dogs to learn good hiking manners. It was so exciting because there were about seven dogs and people and we hiked up off the shelter property to the neighboring trails. What different and wonderful smells.

But don’t worry cat lovers – at Second Chance even cats get out and about. Cinnamon is an adorable little kitten, actually the first kitten I’ve ever met. She went up to the Telluride Farmers Market with me last week too. Because she is so small, she didn’t get to walk around quite as much as I did, but she still really enjoyed herself.

People would be meandering by doing their own thing “la la laaaa” and suddenly stop dead in their tracks when they spied those cute little kittens and just had to come meet them. Of course I made sure I gave them a couple of kisses just so they knew I was there, but Cinnamon was just eating up all that attention. We make a good team she and I in part because she brings me more people to kiss.

Cinnamon

Apparently there are quite a number of kittens like Cinnamon available for adoption right now at Second Chance, so if our paths do not cross you can always swing by the Second Chance Shelter here in Ridgway for a kiss or a purr. Even though these outings are great, what we most desire is a family and home of our own.  So keep reading the pet column or our Facebook page for updates on our whereabouts and come find us today.

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 & Magnificent Mae

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup or get your pup (or adult dog) trained 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.)

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 the shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org

Vetting the Vet: Dr. Michelle Dally, DVM, J.D. is Medical Director of Second Chance Humane Society. She also has a private practice, Dally Veterinary Medicine, 333 S. Elizabeth Street, Ridgway, Colorado. Her service area is  San Miguel Mesas, Placerville, Ridgway, Ouray, and Montrose. For more on Dr. Dally, go here.

Michelle & Wallowby