More room to help more animals: Second Chance announces major Worcester expansion

Second Chance Animal Services has purchased a Park Avenue property five times larger than its current Worcester location, with plans for an expanded veterinary hospital and community resource center

For families struggling to afford veterinary care, getting a sick or injured pet the help it needs can sometimes come down to something painfully simple: Is there an appointment available? Can they afford it? Can they even get there?

Second Chance Animal Services is planning a major Worcester expansion designed to make the answers to those questions a little easier.

The nonprofit animal welfare organization has purchased the former Plywood Plus property at 600 Park Ave., where it plans to create an expanded Community Veterinary Hospital and resource center serving pets and the people who care for them.

The new property is approximately five times larger than Second Chance’s current Worcester location at 831 Main St. and is expected to open by the end of 2027, according to the organization’s announcement.

The veterinary hospital itself is planned to be about three times larger than the existing Worcester hospital, giving Second Chance room for more veterinarians, appointments, surgeries, preventive care and treatment.

“We work to keep pets in their homes whenever possible, and access to care is critical to making that happen,” Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato said in the announcement. “A larger facility means more veterinarians, more appointments, more surgeries, and more support for our community.”

That philosophy — helping animals by helping the people who love them — has become an increasingly important part of animal welfare work. For some families, the barrier to keeping a beloved pet isn’t a lack of commitment. It’s the cost of medical care, transportation, access to services or a sudden financial crisis.

Second Chance has operated its Worcester Community Veterinary Hospital since 2017, providing full-service veterinary care at affordable prices. Worcester is one of four Community Veterinary Hospitals operated by the East Brookfield-based organization.

But the plans for 600 Park Ave. go well beyond building a bigger animal hospital.

Second Chance plans to add a community thrift shop, offering affordable goods to local families while raising money to support the organization’s animal welfare programs.

The Worcester property will also become a hub for expanded mobile veterinary services, including Second Chance’s Community Vaccine Clinics and its Homebound to the Rescue program, which helps bring care to pets whose owners have difficulty getting them to a veterinary hospital.

“This expansion gives us an opportunity to rethink what access to care can look like,” Blancato said in the announcement. “We want to make it easier for families to get the help they need, whether that means veterinary care for their pet, access to affordable resources or a connection to another community service.”

There is plenty of work to do before the doors open.

Second Chance has set a $1.2 million fundraising goal to help pay for construction, renovations, medical equipment and other costs. The organization is also putting out a call to contractors, tradespeople, construction companies, suppliers and vendors that may be able to donate or discount labor, materials, supplies or expertise.

Sponsorship opportunities, including the chance to sponsor rooms and other spaces in the new hospital, are also planned.

“This is an opportunity for local contractors and businesses to make a lasting difference right here in Worcester,” Chief Development Officer Lindsay McCormack said in the release. “Every donated service, material and hour of expertise helps us get closer to opening our doors and serving more pets and families.”

For Second Chance, the bigger building ultimately comes down to a bigger reach: more animals receiving care, more families getting help before they face impossible decisions and more resources brought directly into communities that need them.

“Helping pets starts with helping the people who love them,” McCormack said in the release. “This new facility will give us the room and resources to do more, reach more people and create a stronger network of support for pets and families across our community.”

Pack Spotlight: Fenway Bark

Where a family's passion for caring didn't stop with children—it simply found four legs

By Charlene Arsenault

Some businesses are built around a product. Fenway Bark was built around a philosophy.

For more than 30 years, the Cunha family operated childcare centers, creating safe, enriching places where children could learn, grow, and thrive. When they decided to open a dog daycare, they didn't leave that philosophy behind—they simply adapted it for four-legged family members.

"We realized dogs deserve that same level of care," said Tara Cunha, director of operations at Fenway Bark. "It was never just about supervision—it was about creating a safe, enriching environment where children could learn, grow, build confidence, and have fun."

That same approach now defines Fenway Bark.

Instead of simply providing a place for dogs to spend the day, the Clinton-based business focuses on enrichment, structured play, socialization, and individualized attention. Dogs participate in activities ranging from scent games and puzzles to themed experiences and group lessons designed to build confidence and good manners.

"We don't believe dogs should spend eight hours simply running around a room," Cunha said. "Just like people, dogs need a balance of physical exercise, mental stimulation, social interaction, rest, and individual attention."

That commitment extends to every interaction. Fenway Bark's Canine Coaches are Fear Free Certified, giving them specialized training to recognize signs of stress and help every dog feel safe, comfortable, and confident.

"Our goal isn't just for dogs to leave tired," Cunha said. "It's for them to leave happy, confident, and excited to come back."

Tara Cunha, Fenway Bark's director of operations

That philosophy is one reason Fenway Bark has become a longtime supporter of Pet Rock Fest.

"Pet Rock Fest represents everything we believe in—bringing together animal lovers, supporting local rescue organizations, and celebrating the incredible bond between people and their pets," Cunha said. "It's more than just a fun event. It raises awareness and much-needed funds for animals in need while giving local businesses, rescues, and pet professionals the opportunity to come together for a common cause."

For the Fenway Bark team, being involved also means giving back to the community that has supported them since the beginning.

"We love meeting new families, reconnecting with our existing clients outside of daycare, and introducing people to our enrichment-based approach to dog care," Cunha said. "Most importantly, it's just a great day. Seeing thousands of people come together with their dogs, learning from one another, supporting rescues, and celebrating everything we love about our pets reminds us why we do what we do."

At its heart, Fenway Bark's mission is simple.

"We're family-owned, and we treat every dog like they're part of our own family," Cunha said. "When you leave your pup with us, you're placing your trust in us, and we take that responsibility seriously."

We're grateful to have Fenway Bark as part of the Pet Rock Fest family and thankful for its continued commitment to enriching the lives of dogs—and the people who love them.

Second Chance Animal Services receives $150,000 ASPCA grant for mobile veterinary unit

The new Community Support Vehicle brings low-cost preventive and basic veterinary care directly to pets and families facing transportation and financial barriers

By Charlene Arsenault

Ready to hit the road: The new Second Chance Community Support Vehicle, parked outside the North Brookfield hospital. The mobile unit was made possible by a grant from the ASPCA to help bring veterinary care to pets and families in need.

Second Chance Animal Services has received a $150,000 grant from the ASPCA to help purchase a mobile veterinary unit that will expand access to care for pets and families across the region.

The new Community Support Vehicle will allow Second Chance veterinary teams to bring preventive and basic care directly into communities, reaching pet owners who may have difficulty traveling to a veterinary hospital or affording traditional services.

The vehicle will be used at low-cost vaccine clinics across Massachusetts and will also support the organization’s Homebound to the Rescue program, which provides low-cost or no-cost veterinary care in senior and low-income communities.

“Access to veterinary care should never depend on a family’s ability to travel or overcome transportation barriers,” said Sheryl Blancato, chief executive officer of Second Chance Animal Services. “We are incredibly grateful to the ASPCA for this generous investment.”

Blancato said the vehicle will allow Second Chance to provide basic care on the road while connecting animals that need more advanced treatment with the organization’s hospitals.

“Together, these services help keep pets healthy, with the families who love them, and out of shelters,” she said.

Second Chance has provided community-based veterinary outreach for more than 16 years. The organization said the new vehicle is expected to triple its capacity to bring clinics into underserved neighborhoods and help pet owners before a lack of care becomes a crisis.

That early intervention can be especially important for seniors, people with disabilities and low-income families who may deeply love their pets but struggle to reach or pay for veterinary services. By bringing care closer to home, Second Chance hopes to prevent unnecessary pet surrenders and keep more animals with the people who love them.

“Lack of access to affordable veterinary care is among the top reasons families are forced to make the heartbreaking decision to relinquish their pet to a shelter,” said Karen Walsh, vice president of animal relocation at the ASPCA.

Walsh said the ASPCA was honored to support Second Chance’s work expanding veterinary access and helping animals remain healthy and in loving homes.

The ASPCA has provided more than $250 million in grant funding to animal shelters, rescue groups, government agencies and other organizations nationwide since 2001.

More information about Second Chance Animal Services is available at secondchanceanimals.org.