Second Chance to Host DinnerLESS Virtual Auction to Help Pets in Need

EAST BROOKFIELD — Second Chance Animal Services announced plans to host a DinnerLESS Auction in place of its twice-rescheduled annual Dinner Auction. The nonprofit contacted ticket holders and sponsors to let them know that, under the current state event-capacity restrictions, it is impossible to host the annual dinner. Instead, Second Chance will host four weeks of virtual auctions throughout the month of October, kicked off with a live virtual event on Saturday, Oct. 3.

“So far, the reaction has been so positive,” Second Chance Development Director Lindsay Doray said. “So many ticket holders have reached out to decline a ticket refund, opting to donate the money to the Second Chance Food Pantry Operation Fund. For years, we’ve distributed food to local food pantries, so no pet goes hungry. The need is great right now; we are helping more pantries than ever before and providing more food to each location.”

Doray and the Dinner Auction committee are currently preparing for the virtual event and auction, photographing the almost 200 items that were donated for the auction. The public will have the chance to bid on items, including the always popular giant dog and cat baskets created by Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato.

“The auction will be a great way for people to do some Christmas shopping,” Blancato said. “We have lots of gift baskets and gift cards that will be up for grabs, and every winning bid will help pets like Dante, a beagle mix who came to us needing surgery for a broken leg after she was hit by a car.” Dante is currently recovering at the home of a Second Chance foster and will be available for adoption after a two- to three-month recovery.

DinnerLESS Auction tickets, which will support the Food Pantry Operation Fund, are available at www.secondchanceanimals.org. Donations can also be made through the Second Chance for Dante Facebook fundraiser to help defray the cost of care for Dante and homeless pets like her who need extensive veterinary care. Donations are also welcome by mail to Second Chance, 111 Young Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515.

More information on the DinnerLESS Auction will be announced later this month.