Lisa Imhof
Lisa started her career in animal welfare as a kennel assistant and technician assistant at a veterinary hospital from 1988 to 1991. In 2006, she began to work part-time at Second Chance Pet Adoptions as a kennel helper and worked her way up to working full-time as the Facility Manager in 2007. She became the Director of Second Chance Pet Adoptions in 2008.
Jessica Martin
Jessica, who goes by Jess, joined the Second Chance team in March of 2017. She came from the SPCA of Wake County, where she was a member of the organization for 10 years. Jess has a business degree but minored in animal science. Jess has adopted one Second Chance cat (a long-timer named Roz) and two Second Chance dogs, Nestle and Biscotti. With a love of animals and working with nonprofits, Jess is excited to be a part of the Second Chance organization!
Jessica Jones
Jess Jones has always been the person bringing home unwanted animals, bringing home several cats and dogs throughout her childhood in West Virginia. In 2015, she joined up with Paws for Life as a foster home and quickly became immersed in the world of rescue. In 2017, she came to Second Chance as a volunteer to continue following her passion while maintaining a part-time job as a kennel technician and veterinary assistant at a hospital in Wake Forest. While the veterinary medicine field was engaging, Jess is excited to be following her passion in rescue as the Transport Liaison at Second Chance! In her downtime, you’ll find her working through a list of never-ending projects at her 47-acre farm with her 4 children, a pack of special-needs dogs, several kitties, 3 horses, and what seems to be an ever-growing flock of chickens.
Mia Xavier
Mia joined Second Chance in November 2023 and brings over 15 years of fundraising, business development and marketing/ communications experience to the organization. Originally from California, with a 10-year stint in Boston and Providence, RI, she has called NC home since 2010. She loves helping organizations craft their unique stories and use them to raise both funds and awareness. When not working, she can be found on one of NC’s many trails and greenways, working in her garden, reading or cooking/baking. With a daughter at UNC Chapel Hill and a son at NC State, she is a proud mom divided.
Kathy Clark
Kathy, who is a Raleigh, NC native, joined the Second Chance Pet Adoptions team in October of 2023. She is known for being overly-obsessed with all animals and always takes in the strays and the unwanted. Kathy is owned by her 6-year-old dog, Ollie, and 1-year-old cat, Uno. In her free time, if she is not finding stray animals, she can be found at Lake Tillery or at PNC as one of the Carolina Hurricanes cheerleaders. Kathy is excited to bring her background of marketing and communication to Second Chance Pet Adoptions to help people find their best friends and animals find their forever homes!
Alex Barker
Alex originally hails from southern West Virginia, where they grew up rescuing, loving, and caring for a variety of different animals including cats, dogs, small animals, and wild animals including deer, opossums, squirrels, and more. As a natural helper, Alex began their career in the nonprofit world through their experience and education in social work, spending time supporting and uplifting the needs of youth and young adults recovering from traumatic experiences. After serving as a Volunteer Coordinator for two years and earning their master’s degree, Alex found they could combine their passion for nonprofit work and helping animals through the Volunteer Manager role at Second Chance. Alex is so excited to utilize their passion and creativity to support volunteers and is always open to brainstorming new ideas that could make the volunteer experience even stronger.
Kathy McVay
Kathy has a love for all animals, especially those special ones that are waiting for their forever homes. She has fostered many dogs and been a "foster failure" sometimes. She really enjoys the ones that need a little more attention. When she is not working or playing with her dog, Lucy, Kathy enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and their dogs, gardening, and the traditional holiday baking that starts in August.
Perry Holmes
Perry has been the custodian at Second Chance since 2008. He even helped construct the facility we currently reside in! Perry is a father, a grandfather, and a friend to all. Staff and volunteers are always smiling thanks to Perry’s jokes and insistence that they are doing "a mighty, mighty fine job." So are you, Perry, so are you!
