In tough economic times, the number of dogs without homes increases. Second Chance works to keep these pets where they belong, at home, loving and being loved.
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P.O. Box 2622, Fort Bragg, CA 95437 707/964-7770
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Update for April
April 1st may have been a day for fools, but if it was, it was also a great day for needy dogs on the Mendocino coast. We had our first ever Canine health Care Clinic—expanded from our decade+ worth of Free Canine Shots Clinics—and it was a smashing success. March had been going out proudly as a lion, with gale force winds blowing up and down the coast the last several days of that month. But April dawned calm, and sunny, too, without those vaunted April showers. We had a good turn-out and not only gave away lots of our monthly goodies but also did plenty of vaccinations, including microchip identifications. Barbara Weiss, our wonderful voluntary veterinarian these past many years, was able to give more thorough exams and with Bliss Seifert and her staff’s assistance to provide treatments for ear infections, skin problems, and tumor identifications. given the reduction from 4 to 3 vet clinics on the coast, these extra exams are definitely helping to fill the need for simple vet care here. I’m sure, as the word gets out, that the turn-out for our next Health Care clinic—on Friday, October 7th—will be even greater. In the meantime, be sure to check out the photos and videos here on the website and Facebook page that our intrepid volunteers took at this spring’s clinic. Our next regular monthly visit to the Food Bank for a flea/tick clinic, will be on Friday, May 6th, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. |
Second Chance - Inception Second Chance began in 2003 as Second Chance Rescue for Small Dogs. At that time, there were very few small dogs available for adoption on the Mendocino Coast. And there were more and more older people retiring here, people who would love the company of a small dog. In the San Francisco Bay Area, there were many small dogs looking for good homes but stuck in overcrowded animal shelters. We started bringing the supply to meet the demand--we brought mature, small dogs and found homes for them on the coast with folks who wanted a mature little dog. In four years we found homes for over 100 dogs.
Even before doing the rescue, we started in the 1990s bringing up hundreds and thousands of pounds of dry dog food to the Fort Bragg Food Bank to distribute to its dog-owning clients. We are continuing this program. Especially in these tough economic times, many folks can barely afford to feed themselves. Yet their dog is their family, so it has to eat too. The Food Bank does a great job of distributing the food we continue to bring them, at least 250 pounds every week. In 2010, we started also supplying food to Fort Bragg’s Lighthouse Church and Willits’ St. Anthony’s Church to give to dog owners at their free kitchens. In 2007, working with the Mendocino County spay/neuter clinics, we started providing free canine spay/neuter for coast dog owners trying to make it on a limited income. In 2009, we added the Mendocino Animal Hospital in Ukiah to this program. Preventing the birth of puppies for whom there are no homes is crucial to reducing animal suffering. In 2008 we began helping low-income coast pet owners with vet bills for their pets. We can’t always afford to pay the whole bill, but we can provide enough (maximum of $150) for folks to get their sick or injured pets seen by a veterinarian and to get treatment started. In November 2008, just in time for Thanksgiving, we started providing free Frontline flea/tick treatments for the dogs of clients of the Food Bank. We continue to do this, and are up to 140 dogs monthly. We now provide free collars, leashes, and sweaters, treats and toys, too, for those dogs. October 2010 was our first annual free shots and microchips clinic at the Food Bank. Second Chance is a project of Hayward Friends of Animals Humane Society. HFoA was founded by Jeanne Gocker and Steve Sapontzis (author of Morals, Reason, and Animals) in 1985 and has worked throughout northern California to help animals. We are a tax-exempt, not-for-profit, public-benefit, 501(c)3 charity. We are an entirely volunteer organization, with office space and most administrative expenses donated, all the funds we receive can be devoted to helping animals. All donations to Second Chance qualify as itemized deductions on both your federal and state individual income taxes. And all funds donated to Second Chance are spent to help animals on the Mendocino Coast. We welcome your help and support. SERVICES PROVIDED BY SECOND CHANCE
FOR DOGS OF LOW-INCOME COAST RESIDENTS Second Chance, Helping the Pets of People in Need, provides the following services:
-- Free dog food. The food is distributed by the Fort Bragg Food Bank, Ft. Bragg’s Lighthouse Church, and Our Daily Bread (at St. Anthony’s Church) in Willits. Ask for the food at those locations. -- Free monthly flea/tick treatment. The dogs are treated the first Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ft. Bragg Food Bank. Free collars, leashes, harnesses, sweaters, blankets, toys, and treats are also available at those times. -- Free canine spay or neuter. The operations are performed at the Mendocino County spay/neuter clinic in Ukiah. Call 964-7770 to sign up. -- Free microchip dog identifications, rabies shots, and annual vaccinations. These are provided at the Ft. Bragg Food Bank from 10 a.m. till 2 p.m. the first Friday of every October. -- Free puppy shots (series of three). Call 964-7770 to sign up. -- Financial assistance to get sick or injured dogs seen by a Coast veterinarian. The assistance is limited to $100 per dog per year. Call 964-7770 to sign up. All Second Chance services are to help pet owners whose annual family income is less than $25,000 feed and care for their dogs. SC’s service area is limited to the coastal part of Mendocino County. San Francisco Chronicle
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At This Spring's Clinic
Comments
Dear Steve and Jeanne,
Before I met you I had never considered animal care for the pets of low-income people. Through my volunteer work with 2nd Chance I have a new appreciation for the importance of the support you provide. The relationships between people and their animals is vital and through your support these relationships can flourish. The appreciation of the people you serve is evident. This population is often overlooked and it is clear providing medical access and accessories such as leashes, collars, flea and tick medicine is a tremendous help. The events you work hard to make happen are well attended. Without 2nd Chance’s services, many low income people in our community would not have any healthcare for their pets. Thank you for making the world a better place. — Sincerely Andrea Parker, 2nd Chance Volunteer "I have been a volunteer since October ['21] and look forward to the first Friday of each month. This is when Second Chance works their magic. The low income and often unhoused folks line up for flea and tick meds, collars, harnesses, leashes, love their dogs. And need them. In cold and rainy weather, these dogs and their people can stop by Second Chance and leave with a harness, leash, and doggie raincoat. There are sweaters and blankets for coldest days, squeaky toys for sunny days, as well as vouchers for veterinary services at the Humane Shelter: spay, neuter, shots. Second Chance serves a population that needs a friend for their best friend. Volunteering at Second Chance lets me help to be that friend. The wagging tails and smiles of gratitude are so rewarding. I look forward to being part of the Second Chance volunteer group on those first Fridays, rain or shine or buffeting wind. I always leave with a good feeling."
— Peggy Berry, Second Chance Volunteer "Thank you for helping our dog Lucky with his skin issue. He is very happy now and all his hair is growing back." — Annette Tholberg
"I would like to dance a cheerleading dance for Second Chance who helped save 3-year-old Kiki, from a terrible fate of intense pain. Kiki has beautiful golden-brown eyes and glaucoma.
Her surgery was a great success. She felt better right away. Thank you so much. She loves to watch birds, with her cat friend." — Ted Hanner "My wife and I are residents of Fort Bragg, CA, and this note is about the humanitarian canine program, Second Chance. This volunteer organization assists dogs and their owners in the daily care of their pets. It consists of compassionate local volunteers who provide applications of flea and tick medication, as well as food and bedding — at no charge to the owners.
Second Chance is the personal undertaking of Steven and his wife Jeanie, wonderful people who are there to assist this community, rain or shine. Last year our rescue dog, Mila, needed surgery and Second Chance paid for the operation!! Second Chance depends on state grants and donations. They are a nonprofit organization and need assistance from any giving entity. Grants are necessary for the survival of this much needed volunteer service. They provide vaccines, medication, collars, harnesses, leashes, bedding, toys, and surgeries for dogs of all ages and sizes — at no cost. Please help this group continue with this needed service. Remember this name, Second Chance, on the Mendocino Coast." —Sincerely, Mike and Tai, Fort Bragg, CA "Second Chance First Friday, staffed entirely by volunteers, provides veterinary services and pet products to local Fort Bragg residents who may have difficulty purchasing needed equipment and meds for their pets.
Every first Friday of every month, flea and tick medicine is available, so essential for this area where ticks are happily at home. Twice a year, pet parents can bring their pets to consult with vets at a fully equipped mobile clinic offering vaccinations, neutering services, and general health advice. For example, on First Friday in April, a worried pet owner had one of the vets examine his little dog who had been suffering from a persistent ear infection. The dog received much needed relief and his Papa walked away with useful advice on how he might treat future infections. Second Chance’s First Friday supports the well being of animals and their human friends. May it continue." — Tia Ballentine "I used to work with the Street Medicine program here on the coast and can attest to the large number of homeless members of our community who have a dog. Second Chance is a great resource for them, providing flea and tick treatments, very much needed for doggies, especially those living outside, plus collars, leashes and sweaters to keep them safe and warm. The organizers, Steve and Jeannie, and all the volunteers are very warm and welcoming to the dog owners, and everyone leaves with what they need for their beloved dog. There's no other service like this on the coast — big thanks to Jeannie and Steve!" — Linda Jo Stern, MPH
Pictures above are thanks to photographer Gerri Sorkin
Cute pictures of our doggie clients taken by
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14 Testimonials - Pictures & Comments (link)
Clients can get free dog food every week. We come to the Food Bank once a month to additionally provide free Frontline Plus flea/tick treatments for the dogs, as well as leashes, collars, harnesses, ID tags, and sweaters
Clients can get free dog food every week. We come to the Food Bank once a month to additionally provide free Frontline Plus flea/tick treatments for the dogs, as well as leashes, collars, harnesses, ID tags, and sweaters
https://www.vippetcare.com/ click on image for their site
Cindy Bartalini-Humphrey grew up in Fort Bragg, CA and years later, after moving to Sonoma County. She read about Second Chance Rescue Fort Bragg and wanted to help in some way. What Cindy did over the course of a full year earned her the title of "Second Chance Christmas Angel." Thank you Cindy, Petco Santa Rosa, CA, Debbie's Pet Boutique - Windsor, CA, and all who donated to help the dogs in need who come to Second Chance Fort Bragg's monthly clinics. We are deeply grateful for your kindness and generosity. This video is dedicated to you!
Video produced by Laurie York & Carmen Goodyear of
Mendocino Coast Films.
www.MendocinoCoastFilms.com
Mendocino Coast Films.
www.MendocinoCoastFilms.com
