Welcome to Second Chance Humane Society, located in Southwest Colorado and home to Ouray, San Miguel and Montrose County's lost or abandoned lovable pets. Since 1994 we have been saving lives through our shelter services while developing effective education programs and events. Come meet our cats and dogs and find out how you can get involved — also come visit us at one of our Thrift Shops which support our life saving programs and services!
In order to keep our visitors, volunteers and staff safe we are scheduling appointments only to visit with pets at the shelter or in foster care.
OR
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRI-COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAMS:
Pet Pantry
Community Medical Program
Pet ID Program
In order to keep our visitors, volunteers and staff safe we are scheduling appointments only to visit with pets at the shelter or in foster care.
OR
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRI-COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAMS:
Pet Pantry
Community Medical Program
Pet ID Program
We're Here to Help
If you need help with providing food, wellness care or foster care for your pets call us at 970.626.2273
Second Chance is committed to keeping our community's pets together with their families.
Click Here for a virtual tour of our tri-county programs and services!
Events & Media
Living Better Together
To support families in keeping their pets happy and healthy for their lifetime we (with Dr. Shari Depauw, pictured above left) are offering low cost veterinary services for pets of low-income families.
- Free Medical Exams
- Spay/Neuter - starting at $40
- Vaccinations starting at $8
- Dental Care starting at $150
- Micro-chipping - $15
- End of life care
- And a variety of other medical services at similarly low costs (bloodwork, diagnostics & medical treatments)
- Call for pricing on pets over 70 lbs or in heat.
Second Chance Shelter - 177 County Rd 10, Ridgway - No emergency care provided at this time.
Call 970.626.2273 for eligibility requirements and an appointment.
Walk-In Mobile Clinics in Nucla - Upcoming Clinic Date TBA: Nucla Fire Department
Try our Low Cost Pet Behavior Services
Puppy Socialization and Skills (8 to 20 week old puppies) Learn methods for safely socializing as well as important basic skills. Time for monitored play included .
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Basic Manners (5 months and older)
Learn calmly greeting strangers, sit, lie down, come, stay, walking nicely on a loose leash, and proper focus with the distraction of other dogs in the area .
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Private Sessions
One on one sessions addressing fearfulness, anxiety, aggression toward other dogs or people, resource guarding, house training issues, destructive chewing, multiple dog household conflicts, and more...
Location: Indoor training center at Second Chance Shelter in Ridgway, limited socially distanced class size - call to register today!
Trainer: Krissi Goetz (photo above), Founder of Animal Adoption Center’s Training and Behavior Program in 2006
Angels Wings Memorial Garden
Promoting the human-animal bond is one of the most important things we do here at Second Chance. We believe in the power of unconditional love we share with our pets, and are forever grateful for each one of these furry family members who enrich our lives, even long after they are gone.
Purchase a Memorial Gift
Visit the Gardens
Check us Out on Animal Planet's Dr. Jeff!
1.3 million people across the nation were able to take a look at some of Second Chance Humane Society’s outreach services. The most watched series on the Animal Planet Channel, Dr. Jeff Rocky Mountain Vet, partnered with Second Chance to provide free spay-neuter and medical clinics in Nucla and Ridgway.
Watch our Ridgway Shelter episode
Watch our Nucla outreach episode (about 22 minutes in)
Virtual Bow Wow Film Festival & Auction!
Second Chance kicked off a Successful new Virtual Bow Wow Film Festival & Auction in 2020 and will be back in 2021!
Enjoy the Bow Wow Film Festival & Auction "Safer-From-Home"-Style.
- Bow Wow Film Festival celebrates, educates & inspires all things doggie via the art of short film! Online Auction runs concurrent with the Festival
- Bid on art, jewelry, self-care and adventure packages, sporting goods, birthday parties and so much more!
- All from the comfort of your home anytime you choose!
- Only $16 covers your entire household.
- Your ticket purchase supports our life-saving animal welfare programs and services.
Second Chance In the News
Second Chance received some great media coverage of our programs and services.
Read "On the Way to a Forever Home" in Shelter Magazine
And "Must Love Dogs" in Telluride Style Magazine
Equine Assisted Therapy Program
This program has been placed on hold due to the pandemic but we will revisit it in 2021.
Stay tuned for details...
Paws for Art
Paws for Art is a touring sale of the best artwork donations to our Thrift Shops. This allows art collectors, or those just looking for something new for their homes, a better opportunity to view these amazing pieces. It also allows us to get better prices for these donations - which go directly toward our life saving animal welfare programs and services.
Contact us if you are interested in hosting an event at your business or home...
Giving Great Art & Homeless Pets a Second Chance!
Furry Flicks & Fashion
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Bow Wow Film Festival - which celebrates, educates & inspires all things doggie via the art of short film!
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Furry Fashion Show - starring Second Chance shelter dogs modeling the latest fashion trends from Chow Down Pet Supplies
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Stellar silent & live auctions
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Second annual amateur photo contest
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Yappy Hour with Nibbles & Cash Bar
Your support of this fundraiser promotes our mission of Connecting Pets, People & Community While Saving Lives!
The Pet Column
Children & Pet Loss – Pt 2
Hi my name is Daisy. I am following up on last week’s Second Chance Pet Column on helping children cope with the loss of a pet. This week I guide you in what to say (or not say) when discussing a pet’s death with a child.
Children & Pet Loss
A recent study of the mental health impacts on children from the death of a family pet is showing that this experience can effect children more than we have realized. For many parents this may not be news as the bonds children form with pets resemble secure human relationships in terms of providing affection, protection, and reassurance. But how do we help children cope with the loss of a pet?
Dog Lingo
Greetings, human readers! It’s me, Olive. I’ve just arrived at Second Chance and am just about the cutest thing going with my little werewolf hairdo and big smile. How could any creature that starts out this endearing ever harm a human?
Good question. Most people will tell you, “My dog would never bite”, but that’s simply not true. All dogs will bite, given enough stressors - just like all people, given enough stress, will lose it if one more icky thing happens.
Furry Best Friend’s Day
Are you in the hate or love category regarding Valentine’s Day? The expectations, the commercialism, the pressure, the loneliness, the expense…just thinking about it makes me want to retch a hair ball. But to all the dear readers of the Second Chance Pet Column, I have the solution.
Job Opportunities
Our Thrift Shops
Ridgway Shop
309 Sherman Street (HWY 62)
PO Box 2096 (mailing)
Ridgway, CO 81432
(970) 626-3233 | phone
(888) 751-0520 | fax
Mon - Sat: 10 - 5pm, Sun: 12 - 5pm
Telluride Shop
335 W. Colorado Avenue (Main Street)
Telluride, CO 81435
(970) 728-1100 | phone
(888) 751-0520 | fax
Daily: 10am - 5pm
Animal Resource Center
Ridgway Thrift
Telluride Thrift
Shelter Hours
Open Tuesday - Saturday
Animal Resource Center
11 am - 6 pm
Cat Castle
11 am - 6 pm
Dog Den
11 am - 5:45 pm