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!

All of our dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies are missing something. Namely, a home and a loving family. Others are also missing something more obvious that may keep potential adopters from considering them.

With 1000 prior entries, our blog/Pet Column has covered everything from the dangers of hot cars to why your cat might chirp at you. To kick off our next 1000 columns, we’re sharing words from our Board of Directors and Executive Director about why Second Chance is such a special organization and what we plan for the future.

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.

Every year, Second Chance Humane Society and other animal welfare organizations warn about the negative impact of July 4th fireworks on pets. More pets go missing on Independence Day than on any other day. Shelters see numerous frightened dogs and cats who have escaped due to the loud noises and strange smells of fireworks. Those that end up in shelters are the fortunate ones; others may be hit by cars, remain lost, or get injured while trying to escape.

There’s evil lurking in the weeds. An invasive plant can make a simple walk with your dog dangerous. Foxtail is a grass-like weed found in the western US and is very common in our area. It has barbed seed heads that can work their way into the skin of your pets.

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.

Rosie, an adorable mixed-breed puppy, came to us with an untreated leg injury. It had twisted and atrophied to the point where the leg was a hindrance to a healthy future.

We asked for donations from our wonderful community of supporters, which paid for the amputation of her leg. She came through surgery in great shape and was quickly adopted. She’ll live a happy, active life as a tri-pod.

Dawn’s journey to her loving home started when she was found tied to a tree in the adobes. No one claimed her at a local shelter. We transferred her to Second Chance in January- a timid girl who was terrified of men.

Our staff and volunteers worked with her to build confidence and unlock her sweet personality. She is now a treasured member of a family.

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.

It takes only minutes for a dog left in a vehicle on a warm day to succumb to heatstroke and suffocation. Most people don’t realize how hot it can get in a parked car on a balmy day. However, on a 78-degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can exceed 90 degrees — and hit a scorching 160 degrees if parked in the sun (in 30 minutes or less)!