Second Chance has been an important community resource for over 60 years!
We develop our community programs to help meet the needs of those living in our service area. Many of our programs are designed to encourage responsible pet ownership and to keep animals in their loving homes instead of being surrendered to the shelter. All community programs are available to those living in our service area and access to the Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP) is also made available to a few out-of-service towns adjacent to our service area.
Please contact our Service Advisor (802-375-2898) to find out more about the programs listed below. You can also follow the individual program links provided.
Spay/Neuter Assistance Program (SNAP)
Companion Enrichment Program
We work with Dog Lovers Training to bring certified therapy dogs to local assisted living facilities. The dogs who participate in this program were all adopted through Second Chance and were trained by their handler, Katie Miclette. During their visits, the dogs provide important socialization, memory, and emotional support to the facility residents.
Trap-Neuter-Return for Felines (TNR)
We work with individual property owners or groups of community members who care for community cat colonies in our service area. The goal of this program is to improve the health and safety of these cats while preventing overpopulation. We will provide traps and instructions for you to trap and transport a certain number of cats on a scheduled surgery date. We will spay/neuter and vaccinate each cat, then you pick up and return these felines to their home territory that same day. Two TNR surgery dates are typically scheduled each month, November through April, with the possibility of additional dates as our veterinary schedule allows. It is important to note that this program is by confirmed appointment only and based on the availability of our inhouse surgery schedule.
Vaccine and Microchip Clinics
We schedule 2 public vaccine and microchip clinics each year. Rabies and/or distemper vaccines and microchips are provided to community pets at a discounted fee. During our spring clinic, local town clerks are on-hand to complete your annual dog licensing. This event is posted on our website and Facebook page. Both cats and dogs can participate in this program – cats must be in carriers and dogs must be leashed. No appointment is necessary.
Pet-Food Pantry
Sometimes people in our community need some help feeding their pets. Our fee-waived pet-food pantry provides cat food and dog food (and sometime litter) to those living in our service are who are facing financial challenges. This program is considered a temporary and supplemental source of pet food and can be accessed up to twice a month. Contact us to receive an enrollment application as well as additional program information. The pet-food pantry is made possible through grants and in-kind donations.
Community Programs