Cocktails for Tails on Nov. 3 to Celebrate Milestone for Second Chance Animal Services
SPRINGFIELD — Second Chance Animal Services will host the inaugural Cocktails for Tails event on Thursday, Nov. 3 at Springfield Country Club to celebrate its commitment to Springfield-area pets and their families. Since 2015, more than 40,000 Springfield-area pet owners have turned to Second Chance for help for their pets. The nonprofit’s Community Veterinary Hospital on Mulberry Street provides access to full-service veterinary care through reduced rates for those that qualify, helping to keep area pets and their families together.
“Our hospitals were born out of many sleepless nights, thinking about the tearful pet owners I met when our shelter began,” Second Chance founder and CEO Sheryl Blancato said. “They were grateful that their pet had somewhere safe to go, but I couldn’t stop thinking that we had to do better. Today, our Springfield hospital is keeping pets and people together and has helped over 40,000 pets since we arrived in Springfield. That’s a reason to celebrate.”
Second Chance operates four community veterinary hospitals, including the newly opened teaching hospital in Southbridge in collaboration with Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical School. Each location is committed to providing high-quality, full-service veterinary care for all. Subsidized rates are available for those that qualify. The reduced rates help pet owners who are facing financial struggles afford care for their pets. Pet owners who don’t qualify for subsidized pricing are also welcome, knowing that their visits also support programs that help pets in need in their community.
Second Chance is committed to breaking down barriers to veterinary care, Blancato said. “Access to veterinary care can make a huge impact on a pet’s life. Pets instinctively hide their discomfort, but veterinarians are trained to notice things a pet owner may miss. Catching and treating issues early, before they become a serious and costly emergency, can add comfort and longevity to a pet’s life, helping to keep them with their family. A recent study found that 69% of pets in underserved communities have never seen a vet at all. For pet owners living on a fixed income, even a minor veterinary emergency can be catastrophic.”
The proceeds from Cocktails for Tails will benefit Second Chance’s Springfield hospital. The event committee is inviting area businesses to help by becoming an event sponsor or donating an item to be auctioned or raffled off. Tickets are $100 per person and include cocktails and a variety of food stations. For more information on becoming a sponsor, donating an item, or purchasing tickets, click here.