23rd Annual Second Chance Dinner Auction to Benefit Homeless Shelter Pets

EAST BROOKFIELD — Tickets are now on sale for Second Chance Animal Services’ 23rd annual dinner auction. The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, March 26 at the Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center, and all proceeds will help homeless shelter pets get the veterinary care they need to begin their new lives.

Animal lovers are invited to enjoy an evening of fun starting with cocktails at 4 p.m., when they can view and bid on auction items and take a chance on raffle prizes. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the auction.

Chief Development Office Lindsay Doray is excited to welcome back supporters for Second Chance’s first in-person dinner auction in three years. “We look forward to this event every year, but this year’s event will be extra special. We’ve really missed seeing our supporters in person, hearing about how Second Chance has touched their pet’s life or perhaps a new idea that will help even more pets.”

A portion of the auction items will be available for online bidding a week prior to the event, while a selection of exclusive items will be available only at the event. All online bidding will end at midnight in advance of the event, and those in attendance will have the opportunity to bid on all items until the auction closes.

Second Chance is now accepting sponsorships and item donations for the dinner auction. Doray is grateful to the many sponsors who have already stepped up to support pets, including Herlihy Insurance Group, Cornerstone Bank, and Joe Campisi.

Second Chance is asking supporters to consider purchasing a local restaurant gift certificate for donation to the event — an appeal called Plates for Pets it started last year. According to Doray, “times are still very tough for restaurants in our community. For many years, they were the first to send a donation for our fundraising events. They are still struggling, so we hope pet lovers who also want to support their local restaurants will consider joining Plates for Pets.”

The annual dinner auction is Second Chance’s largest and most important fundraiser. This year’s event will help medically needy shelter pets get the care they need, from vaccines to lifesaving surgeries. Second Chance takes in sick or injured pets that may be turned away from other shelters due to the cost of providing their veterinary care.

For anyone interested in sponsoring, donating an item, or attending the 23rd annual dinner auction, complete information and tickets can be found at www.secondchanceanimals.org/dinner-auction.