Last modified: Tuesday, March 4, 2008 12:50 PM PST 2nd Chance Pet Adoption offers cats and dogs the opportunity to be placed into a good home no matter how long it takes thanks to its no-kill policy. Unfortunately, because space is at a premium at the current building, some animals have to be turned away, which could lead to them being euthanized. Giving pets a chance By Brielle Kennington Argus Observer 2nd Chance Pet Adoption believes every dog or cat deserves a good home. The belief that sets them apart from some other animal shelters is its no-kill policy. 2nd Chance is a national organization that privately runs centers throughout the United States. All the centers accept as many animals as their buildings and budgets allow and will let them live out their lives in the centers if need be. The local 2nd Chance, situated in Fruitland, has a 1200-square-foot building, and it feeds and cares for the animals with a mere $3,000 a month. It opened four years ago thanks to a collaborate effort from members of the community. Christine O’mara is currently the 2nd Chance Pet Adoption manager and has loved helping the cats and dogs for the past two years. Since O’mara is the only paid employee, the center relies heavily on volunteers to help take care of the animals. Currently there are plenty of cats and dogs to take care of including 40 cats and 20 dogs. “It is hard work, but it’s rewarding work,” O’mara said. Working at 2nd Chance includes taking the dogs out, cleaning kennels, scooping cat litter and giving lots of love and attention. O’mara does all of those things starting at 8 a.m. each morning and working through 6 p.m., sometimes longer. She said she has lived in the area for nine years but has worked with 2nd Chance for two. Since she works so closely with all the animals, O’mara said she knows each animal personally and can match an animal with a family depending on both the family’s and animal’s needs. She said some weeks are slower than others, but the turnover is relative good. When an animal does find a good home it is bittersweet for O’mara. “I get sad when they go, but I’m happy to see them get a home,” O’mara said. Along with finding the animals good homes, 2nd Chance also provides other services for animals. For example, if a family cannot afford to feed a pet they can go to 2nd Chance and get food to feed their dog or cat. 2nd Chance also works with petfinder.com so people outside of the Treasure Valley can search for a specific dog or cat to suit their needs. Another service that many are familiar with is the 2nd Chance animal van. The van brings animals to vet appointments along with community events in an effort to get more of the animals into good homes. “It’s a never-ending process, but I would do anything to save them,” O’mara said. Another never-ending aspect of 2nd Chance is its goal for growth. For the past two years 2nd Chance Pet Adoption President Barb Hutchinson has been trying to get funding for a new building. The building would be a substantial upgrade from its current size to an impressive 6500-square-foot building. The larger building would allow 2nd Chance to admit and care for any dog or cat needing a home. Currently, with space at a premium, 2nd Chance the small building must turn some animals away. When that happens, they either have to go to another shelter, where they could be euthanized, or the families have to find another place for them to live. Not only would the new building help animals, it would help inmates as well. Hutchinson is hoping to team with the Snake River Correctional Institute to allow the inmates to volunteer. She said she believes it would be a good opportunity for the inmates and the animals. Though it is a nice thought, 2nd Chance does not have enough funding yet to accomplish those goals. 2nd Chance officials are hoping to present plans for a new building to municipalities in April. Hutchinson said she has been working specifically with Malheur County and the city of Ontario on the idea, in hopes of turning it into a reality within the next year.