Senior Dogs Fetch Grant at Second Chance Community Veterinary Hospitals

EAST BROOKFIELD — Old dogs have something to wag about this summer, as the Grey Muzzle Organization announces the recipients of its annual grants, and dogs at Second Chance Animal Services’ community veterinary hospitals are among the winners.

Second Chance, which operates community veterinary hospitals in North Brookfield, Southbridge, Springfield, and Worcester, is one of 90 animal-welfare groups chosen from 370 applicants to receive a grant to help local senior dogs. Together, the winning groups received a total of $848,000 in grants to help save or improve the lives of at-risk older dogs in their communities.

“This grant will help us give senior dogs like 16-year-old Charlie Brown the veterinary care they need,” said Lindsay Doray, Second Chance’s chief Development officer. “No one is more grateful or loving than an old dog, and we’re looking forward to helping more senior dogs get the second chance they all deserve.”

Over the past 15 years, the national nonprofit Grey Muzzle Organization has provided more than $4.6 million in grants to support its vision of “a world where no old dog dies alone and afraid.”

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’re delighted to help deserving organizations like Second Chance make a difference in the lives of dogs and people in their communities,” Grey Muzzle Executive Director Lisa Lunghofer said. “Many senior dogs in Massachusetts are enjoying their golden years in loving homes thanks to the wonderful work of Second Chance.”

Second Chance helps more than 44,000 pets a year. Its four hospitals offer full-service veterinary care at competitive rates, with subsidized rates for those who qualify. With this latest grant, senior pets with needs that strain their owner’s budget can now get the care they need.

For more information, call the closest Second Chance hospital. Visit www.secondchanceanimals.org/vetcare for location phone numbers.