Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Club Second Chance Helps Animals In Need

At many animal shelters a disability is a death sentence. Despite their best intentions, the sad reality is that the majority of shelters just don't have the resources to help ill or injured cats and dogs. Fortunately, the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, California, is a wonderful exception. In 2008 the organization launched Club Second Chance with the goal of finding new homes for special needs pets. Adoption fees are discounted for Club Second Chance animals and they are featured in a special section of the East Bay SPCA website.

Since its inception, this life-saving program has helped dozens of dogs like Smidgen, a petite Chihuahua with deformed kneecaps. Club Second Chance funding provided the corrective surgery that Smidgen needed in order to walk again. Now she can outrun the members of her new forever family!

Bert is another pup who has a new lease on life because of Club Second Chance. The two year old Jack Russell / Australian Cattle Dog mix was born almost completely blind. He arrived at the East Bay SPCA as a transfer from another shelter, and he immediately captured the hearts of staff and volunteers. Bert ended up being adopted by a volunteer, and today he enjoys a life filled with leisurely walks, sunbathing, and plenty of fun with his doggie sister, Sam. Hooray for Club Second Chance!!!