Merriment is waiting to be unleashed this holiday season—merriment we can unleash together.

Back in February, 4-year-old Samantha and her 5-month-old puppy shivered in their “house” as nighttime temperatures fell below freezing.

At just 27 poundshalf the weight she should have beenthis golden retriever was a bag of bones, no fat to keep her warm. She and her baby had once known the warmth of an apartment, but now, after their owner lost his job and therefore his home, the trio suffered the worst of the winter living in a car. Relatives implored him to give both girls to Second Chance so they could be nourished, spayed, and ultimately adopted.

Samantha and little Trixie Mae moved into foster homes, where our loving volunteers showered them with affection and comfort. As winter turned to spring, mama and baby came alive with joy. With nutritious food and quality medical care provided to her by generous donors, Samantha’s strength returned. She found her forever family—Melissa, Eric, and their children—in April (and Trixie Mae also went to her forever home in May)!

While rising spring temperatures make homeless pets like Samantha more comfortable, they also signal the arrival of “kitten season,” when cats mate in increasing numbers and unwanted babies overwhelm shelters and rescues. On a Saturday afternoon in May when Second Chance was closed but occupied by staff and volunteers, a good Samaritan approached our locked door carrying a massive wood box. Inside were four kittens he’d found that day under a home where he’d gone to complete some work. They were in luck!

Clove, Sage, Redd, and Rusty got their second chances because compassionate people like you know how important it is to ensure our rescue has the funding to house and feed, vaccinate and microchip, and spay/neuter every animal in our adoption program. The many stray and abandoned cats and dogs who desperately need help are counting on us to make their world a merrier place—together. Their paw-liday wish is one that our nonprofit organization can only fulfill with our generous partners in rescuepartners like you.

Can you donate to make pets merrier today?

P.S.Happiness doesn’t expire on December 31; donations are needed year-round to give animals in need a happy new year all year. Sign up for monthly donations now to save and change even more cats’ and dogs’ lives in 2022!