Local animal shelter extends confidential pet boarding to veterans needing med services

An animal advocacy group based in Central Massachusetts that offers residents trapped in violent domestic situations confidential boarding for pets is expanding that service to embrace veterans who may need medical services.

The group, Second Chance Animal Services, operates four community veterinary hospitals in North Brookfield, Springfield, Southbridge and Worcester. The hospital in Worcester is temporarily shuttered due to damage caused by an electrical fire last month. The group also operates an adoption center in East Brookfield.

The organization announced expansion of its confidential boarding services last month and has made the program available to veterans who are looking at inpatient hospital stays for medical or mental health needs.

“Project Keep Me is a great program,” said Sheryl Blancato, founder and CEO of Second Chance Animal Services of the boarding service. “Say someone has the option of going to a relative’s home but that relative can’t take their pet,” she said. While people trapped in dangerous situations need to leave the situation as soon as possible, many are reluctant to leave pets behind. The group offers a place for their pets for up to 90 days.

Since its launch, Project Keep Me has provided temporary housing for pets of domestic violence survivors, allowing individuals to prioritize their safety while knowing their pets are well cared for, Blancato said. She believes extending the service to veterans undergoing inpatient care will offer peace of mind to those seeking accommodations for their pets during critical treatment periods.

“This is excellent,” said Dr. Joe Robinson, veterans services director for the city of Worcester. Robinson said one of his clients just made use of the service recently, allowing the organization to board his three cats as he sought stable housing. While the client has yet to find a permanent place to live, they are assured their animals are safe and well cared for.

“We have had situations where veterans will not enter shelters because of their animals,” Robinson said. “Many veterans have mental health issues, trust issues. Their animals show them unconditional love. Many will not eat until their animals eat first.”

He called it a “fabulous concept” and will make sure that the veterans community in Central Massachusetts is made aware of the service.

“I have a soft spot for veterans. My father was a veteran, my husband is a veteran as well,” Blancato said. The pets are either boarded or placed with a foster family for the duration. “Expanding the program to include veterans means we can help keep veterans and their pets together, allowing them to focus on healing and recovery.”

The temporary arrangement recognizes the importance of pets as a source of comfort and companionship, especially during recovery from medical issues or from the trauma of being involved in a violent relationship.

Second Chance works with groups that advocate for domestic violence victims and now will partner with groups that provide services for veterans. The program boards animals until clients find secure housing for themselves that can also accommodate a pet. Pets enrolled in the program receive temporary housing, food and medical care as needed, with support extending up to 90 days.

Blancato noted that emergency housing resources often cannot accommodate pets, which can trap individuals in dangerous situations. Second Chance developed Project Keep Me to break cycles of fear and supports both survivors of domestic violence and, as of this fall, veterans seeking inpatient treatment.

“Veterans who need inpatient treatment are often unable to access the resources they need because they have no safe place to board their pets,” Blancato said. “We’re committed to making sure that neither survivors nor veterans have to choose between their own health and the safety of their beloved pets.”

Supporters of domestic violence victims report numerous instances of people staying in dangerous situations because they are reluctant to leave a pet. Animals can be used to manipulate people by being held hostage or injured.

“We don’t want that to happen or have victims stay in dangerous situations to protect their pets,” Blancato said. “We want to help them get out and get the pet out of those situations.”

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Second Chance Animal Services extends pet boarding to veterans

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