HOW WE BEGAN

On September 24, 2009 my beautiful son Bryan died.  Bryan had complications following a back surgery for spinal stenosis.  I was blessed to be able to hold Bryan's hand as he left this life and began anew in Heaven.

Bryan had infantile cerebral palsy and each day my world evolved around my son.  After his death, I felt useless.  My time had been devoted to Bryan and now the time only made the pain of his death that much more severe. 

It was suggested that I find something to do to keep busy, maybe volunteer somewhere.  I have always loved dogs and been able to bond with them so I began to volunteer at shelters and rescues.  I learned a lot during that time....I learned about things I thought were awesome and I also learned about things I thought were awful.  I knew where life would take me now.  I had found a place where my soul could heal and I could honor my son and my self by helping the dogs.

I came home to my husband after a day of volunteering and announced "we are starting a dog rescue."  "Where?" Rick asked.  "In our basement!"  

And that is how Second Chance Dog Rescue began!

• Every dog deserves a second chance.
• We are a 501(c)3 and as such will continue to work as a nonprofit with no financial benefit to us on a personal level.
• We are a no kill rescue ensuring that no dog will be euthanized unless they are aggressive beyond training or their health is such that they are suffering or untreatable.
• We will work on the premise that the rescue’s first responsibility is to the dogs and then to the volunteers and the public.
• Dogs are not regarded as adoptable or unadoptable and will be accepted on individual need and our ability to meet that need.
• We will work with an open environment, disclosing our records of our intakes and outcomes as well as our financial situation.  We will exercise full transparency.
• We promote dog owners to surrender their dog to a rescue when they are no longer able to care for that dog for whatever reason.  We do this free of charge and without shaming.
• We will not exploit a dog’s history for gain.
• We will work as a rescue and will not purchase dogs be it from individuals or sales such as auctions.
• We will keep our focus on the dogs rather than the situations they came from or the individuals in their past.

OUR BELIEFS AND VALUES

HOW WE ARE DIFFERENT

We believe in and practice honesty and transparency.

We provide open housing for dogs that are not dog aggressive or sick.

We work in our home state of Iowa knowing that the dogs here are often left in need as many dogs are being transported to Iowa from our states and even other countries.

We only ask for what we need and we let you know when the need has been met.

We assist breeder released and owner surrendered dogs without shaming the previous owners.

We have 15 day full refund policy with our adoptions.

All our dogs get dental care, if needed, before leaving the rescue.