Second Chance is usually at capacity. We typically have a waiting list of people who need to surrender a dog or cat. This is not unique to us, as most shelters around the country are experiencing the same things. We appreciate the confidence our community has by turning to us when the difficult decision to surrender is made.

Crate training is a recommended tool for both dogs and puppies. If used correctly, it can create a safe space that your pet enjoys. While some use crates for life, others prefer using them just for training (house training, chewing, etc.). Whatever works best for you and your dog is great!

Our hearts go out to those in our community whenever there are wildfires, floods, or other natural disasters. In those cases, you are likely thinking and planning for “what if”. When planning, don’t forget to have a plan for your pets.

Roscoe is a border collie, corgi, cattle dog, aussie, pit, lab mix. We’re ninety-nine percent sure he is smarter than you. Like most incredibly smart beings, he can be a bit quirky. Think Sheldon Cooper.

We all want our dogs to be loyal and attached to us. But what happens when your dog has separation anxiety and can’t stand to be away from you? Separation anxiety is a common behavioral issue in dogs, characterized by excessive stress when left alone.

Imagine calling your dog or puppy, and they abandon whatever they’re doing, their eyes locked on you, tail wagging, and sprinting back with joyful enthusiasm. That’s the power of a solid recall.

Teaching a dog to walk politely on a leash is a journey. Leash pulling is natural for dogs and changing this behavior takes time and consistency. Some dogs will grasp the concept quickly, while others need more patience and repetition.

We get questions like this: “Do you have any dogs under 15 pounds for adoption?” The answer is: Rarely. And, usually, small dogs that come to us are senior dogs. Small breed dogs who end up in a shelter are quickly adopted, leaving behind dogs who have waited months for someone to be interested in them.

There are many reasons why a family surrenders a pet. Economics, lack of pet-friendly housing, illness, and behavior challenges are the most common. For the past few years, we’ve had a waitlist for people who want to surrender a pet to us.

Cruz was surrendered to Second Chance when his person lost their housing. He’d been passed around to several homes before that and was over ten years old. He had some food sensitivities and a thyroid condition. He also had the cutest frosted face. Our staff fell in love, but we knew he was not the most “adoptable” guy. Senior dogs are often overlooked, and his breed made it even more challenging.

We’ve been talking a lot about dog DNA lately with the results of Roscoe’s panel being shared (and surprising many of us). While we understand the urge to pick a purebred dog or specific mix based on past experience or expectations, there may be someone even better out there for you. Here at the shelter, we have one-of-a-kind dog breeds to consider.

How long does it take to know if a dog or cat is the right fit for your home? Adopting a rescue dog or cat is an exciting time. You decided to add a new family member, you fell in love, and now it’s time to bring her home. Sometimes it goes smoothly, but there will likely be an adjustment for you and the animal.

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. We need to move more cats and dogs from the shelter to homes.

Like human development, the early stages of puppy development have a huge impact on a dog’s life.  When becoming a puppy parent this responsibility must be taken seriously.  Proper training and socialization can prevent many of the “problem behaviors” that dogs develop later in life which sometimes means they are surrendered to us or other shelters as young adults.

In a rural community such as ours, people love their pickup trucks and their dogs. While we know we won’t convince the truly committed dog-in-pickup defenders, we encourage everyone to consider the following:

Dogs who ride in the backs of pickup trucks can look like they’re having fun, noses testing the wind, and ears flopping freely. They are going places with their parents. However, an estimated 100,000 dogs die every year because of falling or jumping off of pickup trucks. If a driver hits a bump, slams on the brakes, or swerves to avoid an obstacle a dog can easily be thrown from the truck bed.

Year after year, Second Chance has a Save Rate of 97% or better.  You may ask: what does that mean, and why wasn’t it 100%?

While tales of happy adoptions are our favorite stories, sometimes adoption is not an option. Like all animal shelters and rescues, we strive to do what is best for the pets who come through our doors. Sometimes the end of the story is not wagging tails and happy purrs.

We at Second Chance are pet lovers who work every day to make sure our cats and dogs are given the best. We strive to find loving homes, and we work for their well-being while they’re in our care.

When you think of things you love about your dog, it’s probably the companionship, the playtimes, the snuggles, and those loving eyes. Wet dog smell, not so much. 

Why do dogs chase and bite their tail? It’s funny, puzzling, and sometimes frustrating when your dog catches sight of his tail and spins in circles trying to catch it. Or she bites and chews her tail for no apparent reason.