By Nathan Max
GOLDEN HILL — Jason Cordoba hears a lot of reasons why people can no longer care for their dogs.
Some are more legitimate than others.
There are the military families going on deployment who can’t take the animals with them. There are the families and individuals whose homes are being foreclosed and have to move into animal-unfriendly apartments. There are those who realize they can’t handle the responsibility.
Then there is the person whose dog didn’t match the décor.
“Our initial reaction is disappointment,” Cordoba said. “But quickly afterward, we have sympathy for the dog.”
Cordoba, 31, is one of three co-founders of a Golden Hill-based nonprofit that in less than three years has grown into one of the region’s most successful organizations when it comes to taking in and finding new homes for unwanted dogs. Since its debut in October 2008, Second Chance Dog Rescue has placed approximately 2,600 canines into permanent new homes.
The organization operates throughout San Diego County and Baja California and averages more than 100 placements a month. One-fifth of Second Chance’s dogs are owner surrenders, 60 percent come straight from animal shelters, 15 percent come from Mexico and the rest, about 5 percent, are taken out of hoarders’ homes, Cordoba said.
“Those dogs would have all, most likely, been put to sleep,” Cordoba said.
Cordoba, a New Mexico native who moved to San Diego in 2004, met 64-year-old Sandra Simpson and 38-year-old Maria Blake while the three volunteered for a rescue organization in Mexico. That organization, however, only served Mexico, so the three pooled their talents to create an effort that serves both sides of the border.
Simpson, an English immigrant who works in real estate, brought the skills of a frugal professional who has been self-employed for four decades. Blake, an executive, provides the know-how of a manager accustomed to leading staff. Cordoba, who works with software in his day job, is the tech guy.
Together, they lead a staff of 300 volunteers. Nobody in the organization, the founders included, gets paid, Cordoba said.
Second Chance has no facility where dogs are maintained. The nonprofit is headquartered out of Simpson’s home, but all rescued dogs are sent to one of 250 foster families from Rosarito to Encinitas. The families then report the dogs’ personality traits so Second Chance can match them with suitable owners.
All new owners have a two-week trial period in which they can return their newly adopted pet.
Adoption fees are $175 per animal, and that revenue is necessary to pay for medical expenses. Second Chance spends between $12,000 to $14,000 a month on veterinarian bills.
A large percentage of that is paid for spaying and neutering, but Second Chance also frequently pays for procedures that cost more than $2,000.
For those wishing to adopt, Second Chance holds several events throughout the county every month. A complete list can be found at www.secondchancedogrescue.org.
“We make so many people happy with good placements,” Cordoba said. “There are so many young boys without a father, and their mothers come to us and say ‘my son needs a best friend.’ We build these relationships.
“Dogs can cure depression and loneliness, because they have nothing but unconditional love to give. They don’t judge you.”
courtesy of: www.signonsandiego.com
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