Second Chance: Adoption Not an Option? + Updates!

12 Sep Second Chance: Adoption Not an Option? + Updates!

For 30+ years, the Animal Resource Center and Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been serving Ouray, San Miguel, and Montrose Counties. Adoption hours are from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. View shelter pets and services online at www.secondchancehumane.org.

“Connecting Pets, People, and Community While Saving Lives.”

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

Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432. 

Go here for more options from Second Chance.

Over the last few years, Second Chance has consistently been at full capacity with a waiting list of families seeking to surrender a dog or cat. This is not unique to us, as most shelters around the country are seeing the same trends. Adoption rates are decreasing while intakes are steady or growing. We appreciate the confidence our community has in us, but we want to help more pets and people.

The primary goal is to get more pets adopted into loving, long-term homes. More adoptions mean more space for incoming pets. To help find people for our pets, we are always working to introduce our dogs and cats to potential adopters. We offer discounted fees for certain pets, have generous fee sponsors for many of our long-term residents, and participate in programs such as “Empty the Shelters.” We take pets out in the community at farmers’ markets, festivals, and pet adoption events nearly every weekend. Our social media features adoptable pets, and we pay for weekly newspaper ads to showcase our dogs and cats.

To facilitate more successful adoptions, we have a program called “Getting to Know You” Trial Adoption,” which allows approved adopters to take a pet home to see if the or she is the right fit for the family and visa versa.

Sometimes adoption isn’t an option, but a family can still help. One way we can open more space in the shelter is to place animals in foster homes. Foster placement can be a few days, a few weeks, or until the pet is adopted. Candidates for fostering include puppies and kittens who are too young to be in a shelter, pregnant or nursing mothers, older pets, pets who need training, or a pet who just needs a break from shelter life. Foster homes play a crucial role, enabling pets to be themselves by relaxing, learning, exploring, and interacting with people.

Foster volunteers start by completing a foster application and having a home visit to confirm that your home is safe and secure for a pet. It’s a great way to have the love of a pet in your home without making a long-term commitment. Second Chance provides all the food, medications, and supplies needed for the duration of the foster period.

Pets who need foster care are often high-need cats and dogs who stretch our resources. We are committed to helping them, no matter what their needs. Give now to our “Gonzo’s Legacy” fundraiser to help us help more.

Susie

Susie’s is a story of resilience, trust, and patience. After 9 months, she just became available for adoption. Susie came from a backyard full of neglected dogs and gave birth to a litter of puppies. Maybe her fear came from protecting her pups. Perhaps she had not been loved before. Susie is opening her heart to volunteers and staff. She would be a perfect candidate for trial adoption or a patient, quiet foster home.

AND… To continue the Second Chance Highlights section, we want to share the following:

We’re committed to caring for high-need pets as long as they need us. Sometimes they are in our care for months or even years. Their medical, behavioral, and dietary needs challenge our existing resources. That’s why we’re asking you to give.

Help us help pets like Susie, Dean, Dawn, and our beloved Gonzo who recently passed away.