Putting Our Best Paws Forward: Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue

Here at Doggie Dailies, we believe there is no better feeling than helping those in need. That's why every quarter we pick a new charity to donate a portion of our proceeds to!

We’re now in the fourth quarter of 2020 (October - December) and this quarter we're excited to be donating to Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue of Oakland, California.

About Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue

Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue is a non-profit, 100% foster-based animal rescue that serves in the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 1993, Hopalong is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming neglected and homeless animals, and to eliminating the euthanasia of adoptable animals. 

In its 27 years of operation, Hopalong has transformed from a one-woman effort into the largest, all-foster animal rescue in the bay area with 620 foster homes, 580 volunteers and over 39,000 shelter animals rescued to date. In addition to their rescue efforts, Hopalong provides spay/neutering services, animal advocacy and humane education in schools, and community outreach programs on the benefits of spay/neutering and the critical need for animal adoption. 

After all these years, it remains committed to educating the public and providing dogs with medical care and safe shelter until they can be placed with their forever family!

Hop to Help Others

In March 1993, Helen Hill, a dedicated volunteer at the Oakland Animal Shelter, came across a story about an old cat who had been hit by a car. While the cat survived the accident, his front paw didn’t heal properly, causing him to hop a long. Helen fell in love with the aptly named Hopalong and adopted him into her home. 

Knowing how many other animals were in need of second chances, Helen started Hopalong Animal Rescue. Built with the help of a strong group of volunteers, Hopalong officially became a non-profit organization in 1996, and formalized their volunteer and foster care programs. 

Around the same time, Deb Kraus and Kerry Morf founded Second Chance Rescue out of their homes. They would travel to shelters with high euthanasia rates, rescue high risk dogs, and work with their volunteers to find them forever homes. By 2003, Second Chance Rescue had saved over 5,000 dogs and puppies. 

After years of working together, Hopalong and Second Chance knew they could help more animals by merging their efforts and resources. In 2006, Hopalong Animal Rescue and Second Chance Rescue formally merged into one organization, providing the infrastructure and resources needed to save more animals.

Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue has grown from two small individual efforts into a strong, highly effective animal welfare organization that offers rescue, placement, prevention, and outreach programs throughout the Bay Area, as well as Sonoma and Napa counties.

From Foster to Forever Homes

Hopalong is a 100% foster animal rescue! It is the largest foster program in the Bay Area with 620 foster homes and 580 volunteers. Each year they rescue and adopt out over 1,600 animals.  

With the help of partners at area shelters, Hopalong identifies and rescues animals at risk of immediate euthanasia from over 20 shelters across the bay area and central California. Once the high risk animals have been removed from the shelter, they are placed in a foster home within 24 hours.

On average, rescued animals spend about three weeks in their foster home before being adopted. 

The transition to a foster home provides the rescued animals time to decompress from the stress of a shelter, to feel safe and secure, and to allow their personality to resurface. Foster parents gain valuable information about the personality and temperament of the rescue, and provide basic training to make sure they are ready for their forever home. 

Hopalong works tirelessly to ensure that each animal is placed in a home that fits their personality and needs. Because of their comprehensive foster program and rigorous screening of adopters, the organization has one of the lowest rescue return rates in the state of California at just 2%.

Emergency Relief Response

Hopalong has emerged as a leader in emergency relief response because of the size and strength of their foster program, volunteer networks and veterinary partnerships. Their vast networks allow them to respond immediately and on a large scale. 

Over the years, Hopalong has responded to countless forest fires in California, hurricane relief efforts in coastal states, and animal hoarding cases. These emergency response efforts include evacuating animals to safe locations, providing medical care for injured animals, and ensuring safe shelter until animals can be reunited with their families or placed with their forever family.

In 2018, Hopalong responded to numerous forest fires across California, launching an overnight, three-phase response and saving well over a hundred animals. Additionally, they provided life saving, urgent medical treatment locally around the fire zones. They were able to provide a response nearly 8 times the average of most animal rescue groups because of their vast foster network. 

There are a few ways you can help... 

Of course, you can make a donation to Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue. Any amount you can afford to give will help pups in need! You can also lend a helping paw by donating items from Hopalong’s Amazon Wishlist. There are tons of needed items at all price ranges that will help out in a big way. 

Hopalong also has fostering opportunities. Their foster network is the most crucial part of their operation and they are always looking for new, great fosters. If you are in the Bay Area and interested in becoming a foster, learn more about their program and fill out an application!

Ready for a new family member? Hopalong has many adorable, deserving cats and dogs available for adoption. If you live in or near the San Francisco Bay Area and are interested in adding a furry family member to your home, take a look at all the loveable animals available for adoption. All adoptable animals are up to date on shots, spayed/neutered, and micro-chipped. 

Not able to foster or adopt? Help Hopalong spread its message and mission with your friends. Share their information on Facebook and Instagram to let your friends know about this amazing organization.

There are so many ways to support the Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue. Visit their website for a full list of ways that you can help. 

To learn more about Hopalong & Second Chance Animal Rescue or to assist them in their mission, visit their website, ‘Like’ them on Facebook, or ‘Follow’ them on Instagram.