The Second Chance Humane Society Pet Column has offered a lot of information over the years on how to best assure that your pet is returned to you if lost or wandering but we are experiencing that sometimes those who “find” a stray animal aren’t always doing the best thing to help get the animal back home. Recently in this area, in two separate occasions, a “found” animal has ended up on the other side of the state causing undue stress for the pet and greater obstacles for getting the pet safely home.

If you visit the Second Chance Humane Society Shelter today you will not find the image of traditional shelter of yesteryear where sad eyes peer through rusty bars and frenzied barking rings throughout. Rather you will see a clean and orderly (albeit very small with tight quarters for the animals) environment with soothing music and generally content animals. You will see animals like me attended to lovingly and respectfully by professional and compassionate staff and volunteers.

Homeless pets always arrive at Second Chance with a trail of mystery and intrigue tailing behind them. Is there a heartbroken parent out there looking for this sweet little dog? Is there a child sitting at home waiting for this friendly cat to return? Did the family move and the pet went out looking for them? Was this bright eyed but tired floppy eared dog abandoned or was he scared by a thunder storm and jumped his fence?

My sister Maribelle and I have confiscated the Shelter computer to write our own Pet Column this week. We are seeking your aid readers. We are just two of too many homeless kittens here at Second Chance looking for a new home. They take very good care of us here and shower us with affection but a shelter is no place for a growing, energetic, social, and adventurous kitten.