The Second Chance® Fund

Able, a 15-year-old bay horse, was found at death’s door. Two women were on a trail ride when they passed a man who told them his horse had collapsed “for no reason” a few miles ahead. The women continued on and soon made a shocking discovery: An emaciated horse was lying flat on his side, still saddled and tied to a log. Oozing sores were open all the way to the bone on his withers. Flies and bees were swarming his vulnerable body, and his shoeless hoofs were worn down to a level that caused extreme pain for him to stand and walk. His condition was so horrific the women thought he was dead. Then they heard him softly nicker, as if pleading for help. The two managed to bring him water from a nearby creek, but couldn’t coax him up. With no cell phone service on the remote trail, they were forced to leave the poor horse and go for help. Amazingly, he survived while they headed back down the trail to contact the Forest Service. When the women came back to assist him, they provided some soft “boots” (similar to gel pads) and a pain killer. He eventually managed to walk six miles out of the woods! That’s how he got the name “Able.” The two women were able to identify the man they’d encountered on the trail, and three additional horses owned by the man and his son were found in similarly poor condition in a makeshift pen. All four horses were moved to the Bitter Root Humane Association, and a Second Chance Fund grant from American Humane helped cover the cost of their medical treatment. The horses have since recovered. Best of all, Able was recently adopted by one of the very same compassionate women who rescued him on the trail! Meanwhile, the horses’ former owners were convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to time in jail.

In October 2008, Fayette County Animal Rescue received a call from a local resident stating that there were dead and malnourished animals on the property of a person who had previously been convicted of animal cruelty. The story was all too true: The remains of four dead horses were discovered, along with three emaciated horses and multiple dogs living in raised cages or tied up without food or water. In addition, three 2-month-old kittens -- inseparable brothers Formosa and Kama, and female Berclair -- were found huddled in a dirty, dilapidated rabbit hutch with only hunks of bread and filthy water for nourishment. All of the rescued animals received veterinary care -- provided with the help of a Second Chance Grant -- and today, most have been adopted or are awaiting a new family. Happily, Formosa and Kama were adopted to the same home where they can play and snuggle together.

When Ashley, the wife of a U.S. serviceman stationed at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, found an emaciated dog, she didn’t know what to do. Even though “Apollo,” a Labrador/pit bull mix, was starving, covered in cuts and suffering from heartworm, Ashley sensed that he was especially friendly and sweet. She first called the local animal control agency, but when no one arrived within two-and-a-half hours, she ended up working with a local shelter to resolve the situation. The couple and their baby daughter arranged to become the suffering dog’s foster family, and they plan to adopt Apollo permanently. Meanwhile, American Humane provided a Second Chance Fund grant to the shelter so that Apollo’s medical care would be covered. Apollo has gained a significant amount of weight and is responding well to his heartworm treatment. He truly loves his new family, and shows his gratitude every day with wags, hugs and kisses.

Molly, a sweet 1-year-old black Labrador retriever, was hit by a car and suffered the painful and crippling dislocation of one of her hips. Even worse, her owners sought no vet care and forced Molly to live outdoors in the frigid cold with no shelter. Her untreated injury severely impeded her comfort and mobility over the next two months, causing a strain in her shoulder, limping and ongoing respiratory distress because of the way she had to position herself when lying down. Fortunately, a Good Samaritan noticed Molly’s pain and outdoor living conditions. She contacted Molly’s owners and convinced them to give Molly to her. She then took Molly to Safe Harbor Lab Rescue -- which received a Second Chance Fund grant from American Humane Association to cover the cost of Molly’s surgery. An orthopedic surgeon was able to alleviate the poor dog’s pain and restore mobility. Molly’s gentle Lab temperament has always been evident -- despite the terrible neglect she experienced. She has recovered and was adopted into a loving new home.

When he was just 9 months old, Flounder was cruelly dumped over the fence of Animal Relief and Rescue Fellowship, a shelter in Mississippi. Shelter workers almost didn’t notice him; he was curled up in a tarp, virtually hairless and so thin he looked like a walking skeleton. Clearly, he had never been properly cared for or loved. Tragically, his beautiful eyes were completely lifeless. With the support of a Second Chance Fund grant from American Humane Association, the shelter was able to cover Flounder’s medical treatment and ready him for adoption. You wouldn’t recognize him today! His fur is full and lustrous, and he is now a healthy weight. Best of all, his zest for life has returned under the compassionate care of a new adoptive “mom.”