To the Editor:
Saturday, August 15, is National Clear the Shelters Day. It is a great time to consider opening your heart and giving a shelter animal a forever home. Second Chance Animal Rescue, located at 25 June Avenue in Oak Bluffs, has many dogs and cats ready for adoption, and encourages anyone with the means and desire to visit and adopt a pet. The best numbers to reach them are 508-696-8509 or 508-560-6046.
Second Chance currently cares for 52 cats and two dogs, and of those 15 cats and both dogs are ready for adoption. Second Chance never turns an animal away, no matter how old, infirm, or unsocialized. President Kym Cyr believes that every animal deserves to be safe, warm, and fed, no matter the animal’s circumstances or history.
Second Chance takes in many stray animals, especially cats, that other shelters would deem unadoptable because of their fear of humans and which other shelters might give up on and simply turn loose again, or euthanize. This is not the solution. These are domestic animals that are strays not by their own design but because of a human act of negligence or indifference. Second Chance provides them a safe haven and a chance for a better life.
Once animal arrives at Second Chance, Kym’s volunteers work closely with the animals to prepare them for adoption and work hard to carefully match the cat or dog to the proper adoptive family. Those adopting cats are always urged to keep them indoors to keep them safe and ensure a much longer, healthier life. For those animals deemed unadoptable because of their fear and distrust of people, Second Chance becomes their new home and sanctuary, where they live out their lives assured of proper veterinary care, nutritious meals, and a safe, warm bed. Second Chance is what a shelter should strive to be, a shelter for all without question. This is a very expensive undertaking, so if you are able, please either adopt a pet from Second Chance or make a contribution to help defray the cost of care. Donations can be made to SCAR, 25 June Avenue, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
Second Chance gives sanctuary to our homeless animals and ensures these animals are neutered/spayed, vaccinated, and receive veterinary care. By taking in countless animals over the years and preventing pregnancies, Second Chance has and continues to provide an invaluable service to the Island by helping to control animal overpopulation, which in turn helps to protect our wildlife, especially our songbirds and shorebirds.
Imagine for a moment a stray cat living outdoors through the winter we just experienced, and it is easy to see why shelters like Second Chance are so important. I hope you can help.
Robin Bray
Edgartown