IF YOU FIND IT HARD TO THINK ABOUT LIFE WITHOUT YOUR PET, IMAGINE YOUR PET’S LIFE WITHOUT YOU.

Thousands of companion animals are euthanized in U.S. animal shelters each year simply because their human caregivers died or became ill and made no arrangements for the continuous care of their pets. What will happen to your pets if they outlive you?

Ensure lifetime care for your pets.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2nd Chance 4 Pets: Out in our communities

(To see what we have been up to recently, please click on the link above)

About 2nd Chance 4 Pets

2nd Chance 4 Pets’ mission is to protect our animal companions and prevent them from becoming orphaned due to their owner’s death or disability. Our goal is to educate and inform the public about available solutions to pet owners and put a stop to unplanned, unwanted euthanasia of their pets.

Who we are

2nd Chance 4 Pets is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization staffed by volunteers and located in Los Gatos, California. We work throughout the state and across the nation to provide pet owners with comprehensive information about lifetime care solutions to ensure that their pets will always be cared for. We are committed to providing assistance to pet owners in making lifetime care decisions for their pets.

Based on the overwhelming response and requests for assistance we have received from pet owners, animal rescue groups, shelters, hospices and veterinarians, our programs have made a significant impact on preventing unnecessary euthanizing. We are providing pet owners with peace of mind while reducing the financial and emotional strain on already overburdened animal shelters and rescue organizations.

Background about euthanasia

In the United States, there are 4 to 5 million abandoned and orphaned pets euthanized each year. In California alone, 750,000 to one million dogs and cats are destroyed— costing the state’s tax payers over $50 million annually. More than 500,000 of those pets euthanized in the U.S. are because owners did not appropriately plan for the lifetime care of their pets.

2nd Chance 4 Pets: we can help

We are committed to providing you with the information you need to ensure your pets will always be cared for.

About our founder

As an 18-year animal shelter volunteer Amy Shever has been deeply affected by the many healthy animal companions euthanized each year simply because their owners had died or become disabled and left no arrangements for their continued care. Amy felt compelled to find a solution that would save these helpless animals from the same tragic misfortune— 2nd Chance 4 Pets was the answer.

Amy is a founding member of Tri-Valley Animal Rescue in Pleasanton, California. She also founded PetGuardian LLC (www.petguardian.com), an affiliate of Best Friends Animal Society, which provides affordable and comprehensive estate planning for pet owners. Amy holds a Bachelor’s in Marketing and Communication and a Master’s in Education and Training. Her most profound education has come from her animal-filled life.

Meet Two of Our Advisory Board Members: Peggy Hoyt and Cathie Myers

Peggy Hoyt and her law partner, Randy Bryan, own and operate Hoyt & Bryan, LLC in Oviedo, Florida. Her law firm limits its practice to estate planning and administration for individuals, married couples and life alliance partners, including special needs planning, pet planning, elder law and guardianships. Peggy is the author of a one-of-a kind book called All My Children Wear Fur Coats – How to Leave a Legacy for Your Pet available by visiting www.legacyforyourpet.com. Peggy was recently featured on CNN. Peggy and Candace Pollock are co-authors of a recently released book, Special People Special, Special Planning – Creating a Safe Legal Haven for Families with Special Needs also available through www.specialpeoplespecialplanning.com. Peggy’s passion is her pets, so when she is not working on building her law practice, writing or speaking, she is spending time "playing" with her wild mustang horses; Reno and Tahoe, and her Premarin rescue, Sierra; her dogs, Kira, Corkie, Tiger and Fiona; and her cats, Beijing, Bangle, Cuddles, Tommy, Shamu and Spook.

Peggy has kindly volunteered her time to serve as an advisory board member for 2nd Chance 4 Pets. Peggy will assist us in helping to educate pet owners about their options such as how to make legal arrangements to leave your home to an animal care panel and have someone selected to live in your home and care for your pets upon your death or disability (see article Coming in the Next Issue)

Cathie Myers oversees the internship program at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and organizes educational booths at teacher conferences and local events. She designed an "Animal Care and Kindness" class that she teaches in local schools; facilitates "How to Start a Sanctuary" workshops at Best Friends; and presents the humane education component of the workshops. In addition, Cathie coordinates the various youth groups that come to the sanctuary to perform service work. Cathie has more than 18 years of experience in early childhood education; she has worked as the assistant director of a childcare center, as a preschool and kindergarten teacher, and as a mentor teacher. In her own education, she has focused on nature, science, the environment and early childhood education.

Cathie and her husband, Clay, have three dogs and two cats at home. Cathie has agreed to assist 2nd Chance 4 Pets as an advisory board member and support us in our efforts to develop appropriate education for children about lifetime care for our animal companions.