Second Chance Boxer Rescue might have aimed at helping a specific breed when it first started, but founder Bill Gray doesn’t discriminate.
In fact, one of the organization’s most heartbreaking success stories involves a Dalmatian mix. Named Circles, Second Chance got a call from a Lakeland Veterinarian about an abused puppy. He was thrown into a wall, breaking his back. The canine couldn’t walk. When animal-lovers all over the country heard of Circles’ plight, they donated to help get him an expensive surgery, so he could walk once again. Now, he runs in circles.
“It really is nothing short of a miracle,” Gray said.
Circles will be touting his exuberant personality at the first Doggie Carnival & Fair, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the rescue’s Plant City headquarters, 6106 W. Knights Griffin Road. A lure course, costume contest, music, food, vendors and more will be on site. Dogma Pet Rescue, Lost Angels Animal Rescue, Cloud Nine Animal Rescue and FoHCas also will be available with adoption materials and potential new best friends.
Although based in Plant City, Second Chance helps boxers and other breeds throughout the state. Gray doesn’t operate his rescue like a kennel. Instead, he travels around the state or picks up dogs from veterinary offices and immediately finds the dogs a foster home.
“Foster homes save lives,” Gray said.
For those with major medical health issues or emotional behavior problems, Gray himself will nurse them back to optimum levelness before fostering or adopting them out.
“You never know what kind of issues the dogs might have,” Gray said.
Gray wanted to start a boxer rescue after working at another rescue for purebred boxers. Many times, he would get a call about a boxer and, upon visiting, it would be a mixed-breed boxer. Because the rescue was focused solely on purebreds, he had to leave the mixed dogs behind.
So, he split off to create his own rescue that would include mixed boxer breeds. But before long, he was accepting other breeds, as well. He couldn’t leave an animal in need. In fact, the organization even has a cat in its lineup.
“You have your business set up, Facebook page, vets, fosters, and then, a Chihuahua shows up at the door,” Gray said. “It’s a slippery slope, and we’ve fallen off the slope. We’ve jumped off the slope.”
The rescue relies heavily on volunteers and the foster network Gray has built up all over the state for years. The adoption process is stringent. In addition to the initial application, potential adopters must undergo home visits, phone interviews and background checks.
“People have to jump through hoops to adopt from us,” Gray said. “These dogs are our family.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
DOGGIE CARNIVAL AND FAIR
WHEN: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22
WHERE: 6106 W. Knights Griffin Road
INFORMATION: A lure course, costume contest, music, food, vendors and more will be on site. Dogma Pet Rescue, Lost Angels Animal Rescue, Cloud Nine Animal Rescue and FoHCas will be available with adoption materials and potential new best friends. Proceeds benefit Second Chance Boxer Rescue.
WEBSITE: saveaboxer.org
LURE COURSE
Lure coursing is a sport for dogs where the dogs chase a mechanically operated lure that mimics an animal such as a rabbit. Many lure course are restricted to dogs of purebred sighthound breeds. The Doggie Carnival will have a lure course, but it will be open for all dogs.
“It is a blast,” said Second Chance Boxer Rescue founder Bill Gray. “The dogs look like they’re having so much fun they’re screaming while chasing the lure.”
The lure course is expected to be one of the highlights of the carnival. The cost is just a $5 donation which will go to Second Chance Boxer Rescue.