Second Chance Animal Rescue

03/03/2025

Road Tripping with Your Dog: What We Learned in Palm Springs! 🐶🚗

So, our shelter management team just got back from the Best Friends conference in Palm Springs, and yeah, it was a great experience—but let’s talk about the real VIP of the trip: the dog that tagged along for the ride.

Traveling long distances with a pup is basically a mix of adorable moments and minor chaos, so here are 10 things we learned that’ll make road trips with your dog way smoother:

1️⃣ Vaccinations = Non-Negotiable – No one wants to deal with a sick pup on the road. Make sure they’re up-to-date on shots like rabies and bordetella before heading out.

2️⃣ ID Tags & Microchips Save Lives – New places = new chances for a dog to Houdini their way into an adventure. A microchip with updated info and a sturdy ID tag make reunions way easier.

3️⃣ Pack the Essentials – Think food, water, meds, waste bags, leash, and their favorite toy for comfort. Bonus tip: collapsible bowls are a game-changer. They’re easy to clean, don’t take up space, and work for both food and water.

4️⃣ Seatbelts Aren’t Just for Humans – A crate, pet seatbelt, or travel harness = a safer trip for everyone. No one needs their dog trying to be a co-pilot mid-drive.

5️⃣ Breaks Are Mandatory – Dogs need pit stops too. Plan to stop every 2-3 hours for stretching, hydration, and bathroom breaks.

6️⃣ NEVER Leave Your Dog in the Car – Even on a “cool” day, temps rise fast. Plus, dogs have a way of pressing buttons they shouldn’t, and that’s a disaster waiting to happen.

7️⃣ Pet-Friendly Stays Are a Must – Not every hotel or Airbnb is down for dogs, so double-check before booking. Our team found Motel 6 and some Airbnbs to be solid pet-friendly options.

8️⃣ Stick to Their Routine (as Much as Possible) – Long drives can throw off their eating and bathroom habits. Don’t stress if they’re a little off at first—just keep their routine as normal as you can, and they’ll adjust.

9️⃣ Know the Local Rules & Vets – Different places have different leash laws, breed restrictions, and vaccination requirements. Also, know where the nearest emergency vet and city shelters are—just in case.

🔟 Make It Fun! – Road trips are all about making memories, so take tons of photos, explore new places, and let your dog enjoy the adventure. Just, uh… keep them away from cacti. Trust us.

A little planning makes for a much better trip—for you and your four-legged co-pilot. Where’s the furthest you’ve ever road-tripped with your dog? Drop your stories in the comments! ⬇️🐾

03/02/2025

🐾 Learning & Inspiration at Shelter on the Hill 🐾

Our Shelter Director and Shelter Manager had the pleasure of visiting Shelter on the Hill, A Humane Society and speaking with Caretaker Robin about their incredible work in the Frazier Mountain area. We toured their facility, learned about their natural disaster protocol, and even picked up a few ideas for our Second Chance building remodel!

Of course, our favorite part was meeting their adoptable critters and learning about the unique challenges their community faces—including diseases, behavioral trends, and even a breed we’d never encountered before: the Armenian Gampr! This rare and ancient livestock guardian dog hails from the Armenian Highlands and is part of the Ovcharka group, standing an impressive 25–35” tall and weighing 85–185 lbs.

Huge thanks to Shelter on the Hill for sharing their knowledge and experience with us and thank you Robin for taking the time to speak with us before the rescue even opened! We love seeing how different organizations tackle animal welfare, and we’re excited to bring some of these insights back to Second Chance in Oklahoma!

03/01/2025

So far, our travels have led us to visit Helen Woodward Animal Center, Palm Springs Animal Shelter, San Diego Humane Society’s San Diego Campus, County of Los Angeles’ Department of Animal Care and Control: Baldwin Park Animal Care Center, Shelter On the Hill, and more! Every one of these organizations is different from their adoptable pets and human clientele, to their facility size and available resources, but one thing’s for sure: they’re all doing some incredible work for homeless animals in California! 🐾

03/01/2025

Congratulations Oklahoma City!

02/28/2025

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Kye, a cherished rescue companion of the Cole Family of Norman. Kye was more than just a small dog; he was a bright presence whose gentle spirit and unwavering loyalty enriched the lives of everyone who knew him.

To Allen, Pauline, and all who loved Kye, please know that our thoughts and condolences are with you during this time of loss. May the warm memories of his joyful nature provide comfort and remind you of the love he brought into your lives.

02/26/2025

Let’s Talk Leashes! 🐶✨

Okay, so if you’ve ever walked into a pet store and felt overwhelmed by the leash options—same. There are so many kinds, and picking the right one depends on your dog’s size, behavior, and where you’re walking. So here’s a quick breakdown to help you find your perfect match!

The Basics:

✅ Standard Leash – Your classic, everyday leash (usually 4-6 ft long). Great for regular walks and training, plus they come in fun materials like nylon, rope, or leather.

✅ Retractable Leash – Gives your dog more freedom to roam, but can be tricky to control, especially if they’re a puller. Not ideal for busy areas or training sessions.

✅ Slip Lead – A leash and collar in one! Useful for quick outings or shelter/rescue dogs, but it tightens when pulled—so definitely not for everyday use.

Specialty Leashes:

🌟 Hands-Free Leash – Perfect for running or walking while carrying coffee (aka, the essentials). Worn around your waist or across your body for a more relaxed walk.

🌟 Double Leash – Walking two dogs at once? This keeps them from getting tangled (or at least makes it slightly less chaotic).

🌟 Traffic Leash – A short leash (1-2 ft) for keeping your dog close in crowded areas. Great for city walks or reactive dogs who need extra control.

🚨 A Quick PSA: Not Every Leash is for Every Dog!

❌ Retractable leashes can be dangerous in high-traffic areas (or if your dog likes to sprint after squirrels).

❌ Chain leashes might seem tough, but they can be heavy and not super comfortable for you or your pup.

❌ Thin leashes aren’t great for strong pullers—look for something with a sturdy clip and good grip!

What’s your go-to leash? Drop your favorite suggestion in the comments—we are always looking for new gear to try! ⬇️🐾

02/25/2025

With the Best Friends Conference behind us, we’re on to the next phase of our California adventure! Our Director and Manager are beginning a tour of California’s shelters to assist with fire relief and learn more about emergency disaster planning. With tornado season coming up in Oklahoma, it’s so important to be prepared to help those in our community impacted by natural disasters.

Our first stop has a special place in Second Chance’s heart: Helen Woodward Animal Center ! Over the years we’ve been lucky to transfer many Second Chance Animal Rescue pups to their facility, and getting to see it ourselves made us even more thankful for their partnership in saving lives. ❤️

We couldn’t be more impressed by their impeccable care and devotion to the pets in their care! The Helen Woodward campus is truly beautiful, and has wonderful programs including robust educational opportunities, a no-cost mobile veterinary unit, AniMeals pet food pantry, therapeutic horse riding, and pet encounter therapy with trained therapy dogs and other animals. They also offer services such as a companion animal hospital, specialty equine hospital, pet boarding at Club Pet, dog training, and a lovely thrift shop!

Thanks so much Helen Woodward Animal Center for all you do, and keep up the great work! 🐾

02/24/2025

Do you let your dog sleep on the bed? Why or why not? 🛏️🐶💤

02/23/2025

THANK YOU SERGEANT THOMAS BLYTHE 🙏🙏 for your compassion and aid in helping Chica. What an absolutely awful situation especially so late at night in such terrible weather!

02/22/2025

🌟 Wrapping up an incredible time at the Best Friends National Conference in Palm Springs! 🌴 We connected with amazing organizations, explored life-saving strategies, and deep-dived into conflict resolution, de-escalation tactics, and branding for a stronger impact.

Every conversation, every session, and every shared idea brings us closer to a future where we . 📣 Who’s ready to ?

02/22/2025

Run! 🏃‍♀️ Don’t walk and find your new best friend at OKC Animal Welfare 🐾

🥳🥳Today is the day to help us CLEAR THE SHELTER!!

‼️‼️ALL DOGS and PUPPIES are FREE to adopt -- TODAY ONLY‼️‼️

We currently have 1️⃣6️⃣9️⃣ adorable faces ready to meet YOU!

👇🏼You can view all of our adoptable dogs 👇🏼
https://www.okc.gov/departments/animal-welfare/programs-and-services/adoptions/pets-available-for-adoption

🐾All of our adoptable animals are spayed/neutered, microchipped and up to date on age appropriate vaccinations.

📍 Adoptions start at noon and end at 5pm. Help us !!

02/21/2025

We made it! For over 35 years, our facility has been a no-kill haven where every healthy or treatable dog and cat gets a fur-ever chance at a better life. What does that mean? It means our community believes every whisker and wag deserves to be saved—focusing on pet adoption, spay/neuter, trap-neuter-vaccinate-return, and other support programs rather than chasing numbers. We’re proud to represent a no-kill program right here in Oklahoma, where we’re all about saving lives one purr and wag at a time!

02/21/2025

“Be the change you want to see" -Mahatma Gandhi

This information is from the US Humane Society. We can change this. Please adopt.

02/21/2025

02/20/2025

Our management team has landed safely at the Best Friends Conference in sunny Palm Springs, California! They’re already unleashing some paw-some ideas—from the latest in neonatal kitten care (we’re talking purr-fect beginnings for fur babies) to data-driven solutions that are the cat’s meow for post-adoption support, and tail-wagging strategies to help big dogs thrive. We’re all about raising the woof in pet care!

02/20/2025

Our friends at Oklahoma Humane Society are hiring!!!

By joining our team, you could work for Oklahoma’s largest animal welfare nonprofit and save animal lives right in Oklahoma City. We are a mission-focused group of individuals who are working to see a day when every adoptable animal finds a home. You can browse our available jobs and careers below...

02/19/2025

New Hampshire House Bill 593-FN is very interesting! What do you think? Would this work in Oklahoma?