Safeguarding & Second Chances for pet owners in crisis!

Our Mission

Keeping families together. Giving shelter dogs a second chance. Protecting seniors who need us most… No dog should lose their home to hardship.

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How We Help

At Second Leash Foundation, we keep dogs out of shelters and in loving homes by supporting both families in crisis and dogs who have nowhere else to go.

When hardship strikes, job loss, housing instability, medical emergencies, or senior pet needs… we step in with emergency food, urgent veterinary care, temporary crisis boarding, and support for senior dogs at risk of surrender.

For dogs who have already entered the shelter system, we offer adoption assistance and essential care to help them find safe, permanent homes. Every one of our programs is designed to prevent unnecessary surrender, reduce shelter overcrowding, and ensure that every dog—young, old, sick, or scared—has the chance to stay with their family or find a new one that will love them for life.

Get Support

If you’re going through a difficult time and need help caring for your dog, you’re in the right place.


Second Leash Foundation provides short-term, emergency support to keep dogs safe, fed, healthy, and in the homes of the families who love them. There’s no judgment, only compassion and help when life becomes overwhelming.

We support individuals and families experiencing:

  • Job loss or reduced income

  • Eviction, housing instability, or forced relocation

  • Medical emergencies or hospitalization

  • Domestic violence or crisis situations

  • Loss of food assistance

  • Natural disasters or emergency displacement

  • Any temporary hardship impacting pet care

Get help with:

  • Emergency pet food

  • Urgent veterinary assistance

  • Temporary crisis boarding and foster support

  • Senior dog care assistance

  • Adoption support for shelter dogs

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, you can still apply. We review each case with compassion.

Our Programs

  • Emergency Pet Food Support

    Short-term pet food assistance for households experiencing financial crisis.

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  • Urgent Veterinary Aid

    Small grants paid directly to veterinarians for urgent medical care.
    (We do not pay owners directly.)

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  • Temporary Crisis Boarding

    Short-term safe boarding/foster placement during hospitalization, eviction, or emergency.

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  • Senior Guardian Support

    Help with vet care, medications, and food for families caring for senior dogs.

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  • Adoption Assistance for Shelter Dogs

    Adoption fee support for families bringing home a shelter dog.

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