Pets provide social, emotional and physical support to people when they need it most. That’s one of the things the pandemic reinforced, and it’s the long-held belief of the dedicated team at Second Chance Humane Society (SCHS), the animal welfare organization serving Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel counties for the past 27 years. Their mission, Connecting Pets, People & Community While Saving Lives, is embodied in their multi-faceted approach.
SCHS is committed to providing high-quality care to homeless pets, with a goal of keeping them healthy and adoptable. Their shelter model applies individualized treatment and enrichment programs aimed at keeping those pets, who must be in their care, healthy and happy. They ensure that pets—even those arriving with medical and behavioral issues—get the care they need to quickly be adopted into loving, forever homes.
Their program eliminates economic barriers that some families face for veterinary care, while creating a pathway to additional critical pet services such as low-cost behavioral training and the Pet Pantry, circulating over 40,000 pounds of free pet food and supplies to families in need last year alone. Second Chance’s community medical program offers free medical exams and low-cost services such as spay and neuter procedures, vaccinations, micro-chipping, bloodwork, diagnostics, end-of-life care and more, throughout the tri-county region.
With an array of additional prevention services, educational outreach and fundraising programs, the SCHS remains connected to its communities. Their programs include a weekly newspaper column, school programs, a pet memorial garden, and the operation of thrift shops in Ridgway and Telluride that support 75 percent of their operating revenue.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, Second Chance depends on community support for its programs and services. “Alpine Bank partnered with Second Chance for an advertising sponsorship to get the word out to those needing our services,” said Kelly Goodin, publicist for SCHS. “They helped us engage more people to adopt, volunteer, foster and donate.”
Learn more, see adoptable pets, or make a donation to Second Chance Humane Society at adoptmountainpets.org.
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