Second Chance Receives a Beary Helpful Grant

BUFFALO, N.Y. - April 26, 2014 - PRLog -- Second Chance Sheltering Network, a no-kill, all-volunteer group which rescues stray, orphaned, abandoned or abused cats and dogs, has received a check in the amount of $1500 from the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is to make life more bearable for children, families and pets in need of the kindness of others.

The letter accompanying the check stated that grants for pawsome causes like Second Chance are made possible through the sale of Build-A-Bear’s full-sized Bearemy Kennel Pals®. One dollar from the sale of each plush animal in this line is donated through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to domestic pet programs including local animal shelters, stray pet rescues, rehabilitation organizations, and pet education programs throughout the United States and Canada.

Second Chance does not turn its back on an animal in need, but sometimes the costs for medical care can become quite high. In 2013 veterinarian bills exceeded $125,000, with the expectation that 2014 will surpass that amount. Since 1994, the group’s dedicated volunteers have been able to rescue, give appropriate medical care and find approved forever homes for thousands of homeless animals. In 2013 over 400 cats/kittens and 10 dogs were rescued and became cherished pets. The group also sponsors a low-cost spay/neuter program that is open to the public, as a way of helping to control pet over-population. 96 feral cats were spay/neutered in the community and returned to their environment where they are given shelter and food.

“I am thrilled to accept this check on behalf of our volunteers,” commented Second Chance’s Helen Terwilliger. “Some of these stray, orphaned, abandoned or abused cats and dogs come to us with very critical medical conditions. We conduct fundraisers to pay for their care, but this grant will make a big difference in our ability to continue providing a high level of care.”

Second Chance Sheltering Network rescues animals that would not do well in a shelter environment, provides necessary medical care, and finds “forever homes.” They are spayed or neutered before leaving foster care, and then introduced to possible matches at the Adoption Center at Honey Hill Pet Center, located inside the Eastern Hills Mall near JC Penney, PetSmart on Amelia Drive in Orchard Park and PetSmart on Transit Road in Clarence.

Visit the website at www.secondchanceshelteringnetwork.com or call 652-6051 to learn more about becoming a foster parent, adopting, or donating money to become the voice for a helpless animal.