Ready to adopt a dog or a cat?

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 Community programs and services.

Come meet our homeless 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!

Human Animal Bond

We Believe Pets & People Live Better Together

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Adopt a dog

Adopt Love & Kisses into Your Life...

Meet our dogs
Adopt a Cat

Adopt Purrs & Cuddles Into Your Life...

Meet our cats
Community Services

Explore our Community Services & Outreach Programs

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Get Involved

Discover the Many Rewards of Volunteering

Volunteeer
Events

We host fun and mission-driven events all year round!

Upcoming Events
Make a Difference

Support Second Chances with a donation today...

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About us

Upcoming Events

We Believe

Pets & People Live Better Together

Services we offer

Sign up for updates

Our Mission

Connecting Pets, People & Community While Saving Lives

We're Here to Help.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR TRI-COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAMS:

Pet Pantry
Community Medical Program
Pet ID Program

If you need help with providing food, medical care or behavioral training for your pets call us at 970.626.2273

Second Chance is committed to keeping our community's pets together with their families.

Take a virtual tour of our tri-county programs and services and all that we do with your support - Click Here!

Events & Media

Expanded medical care services coming soon!

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.

Walk-In Mobile Clinics in Nucla - Upcoming Clinic Date TBA: Nucla Fire Department

Now Open: Friday - Sunday noon- 4 PM or by appointment!

Paws for Art Gallery & More

Our Paws for Art Gallery...& More is our latest fund-generating program supporting our animal welfare programs and services through the sale of donated art, antiques and other unique quality items that are getting their second chance. Consider making a donation of art or come by our Gallery to find great deals!

Learn to raise and train your dog using force-free, reward-based methods. Registration required .

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 .
••
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 .
••
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!

Honoring the Everlasting Bond

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

In the Media

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)

In the media

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

Power of the Human - Animal Bond

Equine Assisted Therapy Program

This program has been placed on hold due to the pandemic but we will revisit it in 2022.

Stay tuned for details...

The Pet Column

The Story of Shay Shay…The Eyes Have It

Sometimes you think someone is right for you, but you end up going in a completely different direction. This happens in both romance and pet adoptions.

When Janie and Steve Goldberg of Telluride lost their beloved DeeDee, The One- Eyed Dog, they were devastated. Steve wanted to wait to bring another canine family member into their home, but Janie thought it might help to heal their hearts to adopt another dog sooner rather than later.

Walking peacefully along a path with your best friend; you are enjoying the fresh air, your dog is sniffing the grass and greeting other dogs. This is what every human hopes for when you venture out for a walk. Sometimes, it doesn’t quite work out. Walking a dog can be one of life’s greatest joys, but it also can be stressful, anxiety-inducing, and downright infuriating if your dog is not well trained on a leash.

I saw last week’s pet column, “Why Cats are the Best Pets”, and I was confused. Why would anyone question the superiority of canine companionship? When you see all the funny, playful, adorable, loyal dogs here at Second Chance, you might want to adopt them all! Here are just a few of countless reasons why a dog is the very best pet.

Loyalty. Dogs are there for you no matter what you’re going through (unlike a cat or a person). A dog will love you unconditionally. We’re good listeners and will never judge you for confessing your embarrassing secrets. Dogs are there for you.

When you are adding a pet to your family, you might be deciding between a dog or a cat. The choice is obvious- go feline. I have many attractive, playful, loving, and loyal friends here at Second Chance who would be perfect. Why are cats the best? Here are just a few reasons.

Cats are great lap warmers. Whether you’re working at home, reading a good book, looking out the window, lounging on the patio- a cat will be happy sitting right there on your lap. We are champion nappers- most of us sleep up to 16 hours a day!