Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Paddison.
Julie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Second Chance Pet Adoptions was founded in 1987 by Cheri Sowter, Judy Benrud, and Deborah Ruggero, three women who simply couldn’t ignore the growing number of homeless cats and dogs in the Triangle. They began by taking stray animals into their own homes, relying on compassion, volunteers, and community support to give each animal a second chance.
Nearly four decades later, Second Chance has grown into the oldest no-kill animal rescue organization in Wake County, saving more than 22,000 animals while remaining true to its original mission: finding loving homes for healthy and treatable cats and dogs and promoting responsible pet ownership to reduce future generations of homeless animals.
Today, our work extends far beyond adoption. In addition to rescuing and rehoming animals, we invest in community outreach, foster care, transport, and spay/neuter initiatives that address the root causes of pet homelessness. Since 2022 alone, we’ve helped fund spay/neuter surgeries for nearly 6,800 animals, working alongside veterinary and rescue partners throughout central North Carolina to create lasting change.
What began with three women opening their homes has become a community-wide movement powered by dedicated staff, volunteers, fosters, donors, and adopters – all working toward the same vision: a day when every healthy and treatable cat and dog has a loving home.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but that’s true for almost every organization that has been serving its community for nearly 40 years. Animal welfare is constantly evolving, and so are the challenges.
Like many shelters and rescues, we’ve weathered economic downturns, changing adoption trends, veterinary staffing shortages, rising medical costs, and the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand for affordable veterinary care and spay/neuter services has grown significantly, while the number of available veterinary professionals has struggled to keep pace. Increased costs and limited access to veterinary care have also made it more difficult for some families to keep their pets, resulting in more owner surrenders.
We also care for animals who may appear healthy when they arrive, only to discover they have significant medical needs. We’ve treated everything from puppies with parvovirus to kittens with ringworm, providing the specialized care and precautions they need to recover. Many of the animals we rescue also require behavioral support, patience, medical and social rehabilitation before they’re ready to find their forever homes.
Through it all, Second Chance has continued to adapt. We’ve expanded our foster network, strengthened community partnerships, invested in programs that prevent homelessness before it starts, and increased our focus on spay/neuter initiatives. Rather than simply responding to the problem, we’re working to address its root causes.
One thing that has never changed is our commitment to the animals we rescue. Once a cat or dog enters Second Chance, they become family for life. If an adoption doesn’t work out – whether it’s months or years later – we welcome that animal back into our program. That lifelong commitment is part of what makes Second Chance so special.
The challenges have made us stronger, more innovative, and even more committed to our mission. Every obstacle has reinforced why our work matters and why the support of our community is so important. After nearly four decades, we’re not just rescuing animals – we’re helping create a future where fewer animals need rescuing in the first place. While we’re dedicated to changing the lives of animals, we’ve learned that those animals often change human lives in the most amazing ways.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Second Chance Pet Adoptions is the oldest no-kill animal rescue organization in Wake County, and for nearly 40 years we’ve believed that every healthy and treatable animal deserves a second chance. While we’re best known for rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding loving homes for cats and dogs, our mission extends far beyond adoption.
We specialize in giving animals the time and care they need to thrive. Some are adopted within days, while others require months of medical treatment, behavioral rehabilitation, or foster care before they’re ready for a forever home. We don’t put a time limit on hope.
Every cat and dog adopted from Second Chance receives comprehensive veterinary care before going home. Each animal is spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped, dewormed, and treated with flea and tick prevention, giving adopters the confidence that their newest family member has received an excellent start. We also offer free nail trims for cats after adoption, one of the many ways we continue supporting our adopters.
One thing that sets us apart is our adoption center. Unlike many rescues that operate entirely through foster homes, we have a physical facility where visitors can meet many of our adoptable animals. Most of our cats stay with us at Second Chance until they are adopted. Cats in hospice care and kittens younger than 16 weeks remain in foster homes, where they receive the individualized care they need. Most of our dogs also stay with foster families, but we maintain a dedicated dog wing with kennels and an indoor playroom for dogs that benefit from more structured daily care, behavioral support, or additional medical attention.
What truly sets Second Chance apart is our lifelong commitment to every animal we adopt. Once a cat or dog becomes part of the Second Chance family, they are family for life. If circumstances change – whether it’s months or many years later – we welcome that animal back into our program. We believe adopting a pet is a lifelong commitment, and we’re committed for life as well.
We’re equally proud of our work beyond our adoption center. We invest in affordable spay/neuter initiatives, community outreach, transport programs, and partnerships with shelters and rescue organizations throughout central North Carolina. By addressing the root causes of pet homelessness, we’re helping create a future where fewer animals need rescuing.
More than anything, we’re proud of the community that makes this work possible. Thousands of volunteers, fosters, adopters, donors, veterinarians, and partners have helped save more than 22,000 animals since 1987. Together, we’ve built more than an animal rescue—we’ve built a community united by compassion.
We want readers to know that when they support Second Chance, they’re doing much more than helping one animal. They’re helping keep families together, providing lifesaving medical care, preventing future homelessness through spay and neuter programs, and giving thousands of cats and dogs the opportunity to experience the love and security of a forever home. Every adoption changes two lives – the animal’s and the person’s – and that’s what makes our work so meaningful.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Animal rescue isn’t easy. Every day brings new challenges – medical emergencies, difficult decisions, limited resources, and animals who need far more than a quick fix. What has allowed Second Chance to thrive for nearly 40 years is our unwavering commitment to finding solutions rather than accepting obstacles.
That perseverance is fueled by compassion and kindness. We believe every healthy and treatable animal deserves a chance, and we don’t give up when the road is difficult. Whether it’s caring for an animal with complex medical needs, helping a fearful dog learn to trust again, or supporting an adopter years after an adoption, we’re committed for the long haul.
Our success also comes from the incredible community that stands beside us. Staff, volunteers, foster families, donors, adopters, and veterinary partners all share the same belief: that every animal matters. Together, we’ve built a culture where perseverance, collaboration, kindness, and compassion create life-changing outcomes for both animals and the people who love them.
Pricing:
- A monthly donation of just $10 will make a meaningful difference, helping us continue our mission of rescuing, caring for, and finding loving homes for animals in need.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://secondchancenc.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secondchancencpets/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=second%20chance%20pet%20adoptions
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2235305/admin/dashboard/
