Second Chances Animal Rescue - (814) 449-9412; (703) 402-8999

Second Chances Animal Rescue rescues animals from inhumane, dangerous, unhealthy or untenable situations.

Second Chances Animal Rescue rescues animals from inhumane, dangerous, unhealthy or untenable situations; provides shelter, as well as physical, mental and emotional support and stability to animals; returns animals to good health; places animals in safe and loving environments; and provides support and assistance to other organizations or individuals who desire the same.

BEGINNINGS
Second Chances Animal Rescue was established during the Federal Government shutdown in October 2013. We had always been a part of the Facebook rescue groups and watched wishing we could do more to help. We were watching Mollie, a mix from Lafayette, Tennessee who later became our first rescue, and loved her from afar. We had even called to inquire about her, but were given the great news that she already had an approved adopter. On a Sunday night at 10PM the volunteer reached out to us to let us know that Mollie’s adoption had fallen through and that she would be euthanized on Monday afternoon if she was not rescued. With that as a backdrop, Jill woke up at 4am and made the drive from Washington, DC to Lafayette, TN to pick Mollie up. She made it in time, and Mollie was our first rescue. We placed her with a loving new forever home just before Thanksgiving 2013. Along the way, we met a wonderful community of people, made new friends, learned a lot about rescue, loved Mollie, and changed our lives. We will likely always be small, but we believe that giving as many dogs as we can a second chance makes a difference. Join us, it’s worth the time, energy and effort.

MISSION
Rescue. Rehabilitate. Rehome.

DESCRIPTION
At Second Chances Animal Rescue, our mission is to 'Rescue, Rehabilitate and Rehome' dogs in need. We pursue our mission as an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue. Each Second Chances representative is 100% a volunteer, no one receives payment for our work. As a foster-based rescue, our dogs live in homes with loving and dedicated families and they are treated as a beloved family member while they are in our care. While the advantages of foster-based rescue are many, our ability to rescue dogs in need is dependent on the availability of individuals and families who are willing to open their homes and hearts to dogs in need. If you would like to know more about fostering a dog in need, please email us at adopt@secondchancesrescue.org.

RESCUE
We rescue dogs facing euthanasia in high kill shelters in the South and local dogs whose owners can no longer care for them. We do not discriminate against any breeds and we rescue dogs of all ages and sizes. In general, we try to take on the more challenging cases who may otherwise struggle to be adopted within a reasonable time. As a foster-based rescue, we can only rescue as many dogs as we have approved and available foster homes. We must also screen dogs in need in order to ensure that we can place the dog with the right foster family.

REHABILITATE
Our rehabilitation program includes socialization, exercise, veterinary care, a quality diet, and positive reinforcement training and lots of love, love, LOVE. Many of the dogs that come into rescue have suffered some form of abuse or neglect, and most need time to overcome these challenges. We are committed to providing each dog with the love, care, and attention that s/he needs to achieve their deserved second chance.

REHOME
When the time is right, we place our dogs up for adoption and carefully screen potential adopters by making use of an extensive adoption process, which includes: an adoption application, reference checks, and a home visit. Our adoption process is focused on rehoming our adoptable dogs into forever homes that best suit their needs and that also suit the needs of the potential adopters. As such, our process does not maintain a policy of taking applications on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dogs deserve forever homes and our efforts seek to maximize the measure of fit between dog and adopter. An approved adopter will have gone through each step in the process. Once approved, we will finalize an adoption date, both parties will sign an adoption contract, and the adopter will submit an adoption fee in the amount of $250.

ADOPTION FEE
The adoption fee helps to off set some portion of the costs of the individual dogs we rescue. Each dog comes to us with varying veterinary needs; some remain in rescue longer than others; some require more intensive training; and the costs of food, toys, treats, crates, collars, leashes and other supplies quickly add up. The adoption fee is a part of how we meet the needs of every dog in rescue and it helps to cover the specific costs associated with an individual dog.

All Second Chances dogs receive the following services while in rescue and prior to an adoption:

- spay/neuter [age appropriate]
- vaccinations [Rabies, DHPP, Bordatella]
- dewormer
- microchip
- heartworm test [age appropriate]
- monthly heartworm and flea preventative treatments while in rescue

LIFE LONG COMMITMENT
Second Chances has a lifelong commitment to each dog we rescue. Should adopters be unable to care for their Second Chances rescue for any reason, Second Chances will take the dog back immediately. In fact, this is a requirement in our adoption contract. We invest a great deal in the animals we rescue, typically removing them from terrible circumstances. At times, our dogs are difficult or complicated cases requiring medical or behavioral treatment. Second Chances is willing to work to support these costs should it be too much for an adopter, if the adopter is a wonderful fit and home for our rescuedog. Each situation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

DONATE, FOSTER, VOLUNTEER
Second Chances Animal Rescue is a certified 501(c)(3) rescue. We rely on donations to maintain our rescue efforts. If you would like to donate goods, services, time, or a monetary gift, email us at adopt@secondchancesrescue.org for more info!

GENERAL INFORMATION
Second Chances Animal Rescue is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue. We adopt within the Washington, DC Metro area from out of state high kill shelters. As a small, new foster-based rescue, we are working on establishing a site for viewing adoptable dogs. We ask that prospective adopters send us an email and/or come to one of our adoption events to meet and greet our adoptable dogs. Adoption events will be advertised on our FB page as they are scheduled and will eventually be featured on our website.

If you're looking for a way to help dogs in need, email us today for more info!

Tags: