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Helping
to Ensure Continuous Care for Our Companion
Animals |
Did
you know? Scientific
research says that including a pet as
a part of your family brings huge health
benefits, especially for those of us
over 65 years of age. Here are a few
of the results from these studies:
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 The
simple act of holding an animal can relieve
symptoms of depression, lower blood pressure,
and even decrease surgical patients’ healing
times.
 The
long-term survival rates of heart attack
victims who had a pet are significantly
longer than for those who did not.
Widows
who have cats are better off medically
during their first year, which is a critical
stress time, than widows who do not.
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Pet
owners have lower triglyceride and cholesterol
levels than non-owners. |
One
year after having a myocardial infarction,
dog owners were more likely to still
be living.
Dog
walking, pet grooming, and even petting
provide increased physical activity that
strengthens the heart, improves blood circulation,
and slows the loss of bone tissue.
The
most serious disease for older persons is not
cancer or heart disease — it’s
loneliness. Love is the most important health
tonic we have, and pets are one of nature’s
best sources of love. [top]
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| Companions
for Seniors Program |
In
addition to providing education and information
to help seniors plan appropriately for the lifetime
care of their pets, our program invites
local animal shelter and animal rescue groups
to participate in presentations to senior groups.
We introduce these organizations to the senior
communities and encourage seniors to adopt
appropriate pets from them. |
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| Who
is 2nd Chance 4 Pets? |
  More
than 500,000 companion animals are relinquished
and euthanized in shelters each year due to
the death or disability of their owners who
care for them
We
are a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization
with the mission to reduce the number of
pets euthanized in shelters due to the death
or disability of their human companions
We
are the only organization addressing this
problem nationally [top] |
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CLICK HERE FOR
A SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS IN NORTHERN
CALIFORNIA.
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Lifetime
Care Options: The Three Important
Components |
Our pets do so
much for us, yet few of us have done
anything to ensure their long-term
care. Having a lifetime care plan for
your pet will provide peace of mind
by insuring that the animals you love
have the kind of life you want to give
them — even if you’re not
around to provide care.
A
comprehensive care
plan includes:
Caregivers – Identify
people who could
step in to take care
of your pets temporarily,
in the hours, days,
or weeks after an
emergency, or who
would adopt your
pets should you die
or become incapacitated.
If you cannot find
friends, relatives,
or neighbors to care
for your pets, your
veterinarian, local
pet sitters and animal
rescue groups may
be able to help you
locate potential
caregivers.
Instructions – How
do you want your pets
to live — in another
household or in a sanctuary?
What kind of special
care do your pets require?
Do you want your pets
to stay together? To
make sure that your wishes
are followed, your instructions
must be written down
and someone must know
where to find them.
Financing – You
pay for food, shelter,
supplies and medical
care for your pets. Those
expenses won’t
stop if you aren’t
here to pay them. You
may want to set aside
funds for temporary or
foster care, transportation
to a new home, and the
ongoing care for your
pets. |
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PLEASE
VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.2ndchance4pets.org FOR
MORE INFORMATION. [top] |
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Could
This Happen to You? |
The following
letter is reprinted by permission of
Mike Arms, Executive Director of the
Helen Woodward Animal Center. Mike
is a hero to thousands of homeless
animals and an inspiration to pet owners
and animal welfare groups. If you are
in the San Diego area, stop by and
see the Helen Woodward Animal Center,
a haven for pets in need. For more
information about the Helen Woodward
Animal Center please go to www.animalcenter.org.
| Could
this happen to your pet?
You bet! This
morning I woke up feeling
great. Ran to the door
and found my best friend
waiting for me. We went
for our usual morning
walk. My friend does
most of the talking,
but I am happy just to
be listening. My best
friend’s words
are always soothing and
comforting. After our
walk, we went back home
and had breakfast together.
I got kissed on my nose
and my best friend went
off to work. Now comes
my boring time. I walk
around the house making
sure everything is safe
and secure, then I just
lay on the couch or the
bed or the easy chair
waiting for my best friend
to come home.
Today
is different. Night
has fallen. My friend
normally is home by
now. It is getting
late. I’m starting
to worry. I hope she
gets home soon. I’m
starting to get hungry.
You know I don’t
care if I get to eat
or not. I don’t
complain. Please come
home. I miss you. I am
so tired now. Why is
it getting light out
again? This is so strange.
I need to get on the
bed. I can smell my friend
was here. This is where
I feel safe. Wait! I
hear someone at the door
— it must be her,
No, it is someone I don’t
know. Who are you? Why
are you coming in here?
Are you going to hurt
me? Rob my friend’s
home? What am I supposed
to do? I know. I will
act mean. I will growl,
bark, defend my friend’s
home the best that I
can. They have just put
a leash on me. They are
trying to talk calmly
to me, but I don’t
trust them. I will still
act mean. I just heard
them say my friend’s name
and something about a
fatal heart attack. Now
I am in a small cement
barred area. This is
not the food I normally
eat. These are not the
smells I normally smell.
I am so scared. I still
need to act mean. I know
my friend must be trying
to find me. I have been
here for about a week
now. I hear people talking
about me being aggressive.
Wait. They are opening
my door. They are putting
that leash on me again.
My friend must be here.
Now I am in the exam
room. Oh I see the needle
again. My friend always
told me the needles will
help keep me healthy.
I felt the pinch
— this
needle is different.
Something is happening.
I feel very sleepy…where
is my friend?
We
know how much you care
about your beloved pets.
Please make sure this
does not happen to your
friends. [top] |
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| “Both
PAWS and 2nd Chance 4 Pets recognize the
importance of the bond between pet and
owner and the distress a pet owner with
a terminal illness experiences when they
become apprehensive about the fate of their
beloved pets. The efforts of 2nd
Chance 4 Pets will positively and significantly
impact the lives of those living with HIV/AIDS,
others with terminal illnesses, their pets, pets
in our communities and around the country.” John
Lipp, Executive Director, PAWS San Francisco |
“The
tragedy of 9-11 forced many of us to realize
that we need to plan ahead for the care of
all aspects of our lives - including our
pets. We are encouraging pet owners to make
sure that should anything happen, their pets
are cared for. The lives of thousands of
animals will be saved, and pet owners will
benefit from peace of mind knowing that they
have planned for the lifetime care of their
pets.” Jane
Hoffman, President of the Mayor's Alliance
for NYC's Animals |
| “575
dogs and cats were put to death in US shelters
every hour last year. Since many of these
animals are healthy and adoptable, the efforts
of 2nd Chance 4 Pets have tremendous potential
to significantly reduce these numbers. It
will guarantee life for pets that have provided
constant love and companionship.” Cyrus
Mejia, artist and creator of The Best Friends
Animal Society Art Project, a memorial to
these pets. |
“In
just the last 5 years, I have seen hundreds
of pets end up in shelters when their owners
pass away who do not find new homes and
are tragically euthanized. It haunts me.
I am grateful for your efforts and now have
hope. 2nd Chance for Pets is going to save
animals lives and bring me peace.” Animal
Control Officer, Fresno, California
[top] |
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