Second Chance Takes Three Top Honors in Best of Central Mass Awards

EAST BROOKFIELD — Second Chance Animal Services volunteers and staff won three titles at the Best of Central Mass awards ceremony at the DCU Center in Worcester last Thursday. The organization garnered top honors in the Best Veterinarian, Best Nonprofit, and the Best Pet Services categories of the annual awards sponsored by the Telegram & Gazette.

“We are so honored to be acknowledged by the public for our work,” said CEO Sheryl Blancato. “I am so proud of the accomplishments of our dedicated and passionate team of volunteers and staff. Together, we have helped over 37,000 pets this past year, and that’s amazing. It’s gratifying to see our hard work recognized.”

Second Chance got its start in 1999 as a small group of dedicated volunteers looking to help a few homeless pets, and has grown into an animal-welfare organization that includes three full-service community veterinary hospitals in North Brookfield, Worcester, and Springfield, offering a wide range of care, including routine wellness, care for chronic medical conditions, and life-saving surgeries. These hospitals offer subsidized rates for those that qualify to help keep pets in their homes whenever possible.

This is the third year in a row Second Chance has won the Best Pet Services award and the second year for Best Veterinarian. More than 338,000 votes were cast in this year’s contest.