Our current segment of Pointing About Town finds The Marquis with Second Chance Sheltering Network, Inc (Second Chance). This all volunteer cat rescue is near and dear to our hearts as four (4) of our extended fur family members were given a “Second Chance” at an amazing life because of this organization.

Second Chance Sheltering Network, Inc, is a 501c(3) charity organization that is a no-kill, all volunteer foster based rescue who specializes in stray, abandoned, and abused cats. They were incorporated in 1994 by its founder, Helen Terwilliger. Next year, they celebrate their 30th anniversary of helping Western New York’s feline population. A truly successful “tail” of a small but mighty organization powered by its roughly thirty (30) volunteer members and ten (10) or so foster families.

Additionally, Second Chance has three (3) off-site locations where you can visit the many cats that are in their care at any given time. PetSmart on Transit Road in Clarence and Amelia Drive in Orchard Park are their suburban locations around town. In the city of Buffalo, Buckminster’s Cat Cafe on Niagara Street houses only Second Chance available kitties. You can enjoy a cup of tea or a sandwich and watch the kittens frolick and jump around in the beautiful cat cove. They are closing in on their 700th adoption since opening in 2019. It is such a beautiful space with a summer courtyard to simultaneously enjoy fine weather and cat shenanigans.

On a very personal note, Second Chance became a part of our family back in 2014 when a litter of barn kittens were taken in for placement. One of those became our first extended Second Chance family member, Ariel. She was later joined by Percy, and then Henrietta & Hobson. Percy’s Mom was found under a porch in the City’s Fruit Belt and she was placed in a foster home where she gave birth starting a new journey for herself and her litter. Henrietta and Hobson were located living with their siblings in an abandoned building of the Richardson Olmsted Campus on Forest Avenue. Their mother found her way in through a broken glass window and was feeding them birds in one of the dilapidated bathrooms. Through the efforts of the trappers at Second Chance, all siblings were rescued. By the time they finally trapped elusive Mom, she was on her way to having her second litter, all in the matter of a month or so. They all were spayed or neutered and found loving homes, including Mom, thanks to the heroic efforts of the Second Chance Volunteer family.

Second Chance recently added some lovely promotional items, such as sweatshirts and t-shirts, that are for purchase on their website at https://secondchanceshelteringnetwork.com. Proceeds go towards the cost of supplies and veterinary care for their kitties.

If you adopt from Second Chance, you may be eligible for a discount on veterinary care at their participating area Veterinary Facilities that work with the organization. Besides adopting one of their cats in rescue, you can donate, foster, or volunteer. More information on each of these can be found on their website. Donations may be tax deductible and we encourage you to contact your circle of trust accounting advisor to confirm your contribution’s eligibility.

Second Chance also works with partners to Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) feral cats. There are some cats that likely will not make the transition to an indoor pet, so efforts with TNR are critical to maintaining as few community cats as possible.

Make it a Point to visit their off-site locations or website if you find yourself wanting to add a feline companion to your family! It is because of truly selfless organizations like Second Chance that our community is a better place for all of us, whether 2 footed or 4 footed! Donate, Adopt, Foster, or Volunteer and help Second Chance continue its success well through its 30th anniversary!

Scroll through the photos to see our family members, Henrietta & Hobson, in their before rescue and after rescue photos. The transition will warm your heart!