Fund-raising fun run to continue thanks to two new organizers

A pack of elated dogs waited at the starting line, while Renee Abshere and Shaunett Street helped register 60 animal lovers at Second Chance Pet Rescue’s annual fun run/walk last June. The two friends joined in on the scenic romp through Farragut State Park and made a vow to return this year.

Second Chance Pet Rescue is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers who open their homes to animals in need of foster care. They target adoptable pets, some of which escape euthanasia by getting this second chance. The fun run has been the group’s primary fund-raiser for seven years.

Abshere and Street learned that volunteer exhaustion was threatening to cancel that tradition. It would have meant some disappointed doggies. Water bowls are set along the forested course, dogfights are a rarity, and impromptu after-parties include a splash in the waters of Lake Pend Oreille. Abshere and Street decided that the Second Chance fun run deserved another chance.

“We believe so much in what they’re doing,” Abshere said.

Neither woman was a member of the organization. They have several dogs apiece and couldn’t take in more. Coordinating the event was something they felt they could do.

“We’re goal-setters,” said Street.

With clipboards and lists, the two self-professed Type A personalities set to find sponsors. They collected more than $1,000 since March, while maintaining their own full-time jobs, pet and family responsibilities. Weeks of phone calls led to prizes for fun run participants. They gathered 100 items including coupons for free grooming, vet discounts, gym memberships, and human and animal food. Della Munnich, a local artist who specializes in pet portraits, promised one-of-a kind artwork for a raffle. She will grant the winner a painting of a pet.

“Everybody was so generous with donations,” Abshere said.

Registration forms were mailed out encouraging participants to register early. The first 100 to sign up are guaranteed a prize. About 80 have registered so far, which is already about 20 more than participated at the run last year.

“We wanted everybody to feel appreciated,” Street said.

Second Chance board members wanted their new organizers to feel the same and invited them to join their board.

“Those two are the shot of fresh air that we needed,” Second Chance President Angie Brainard said. “They’re organized, enthusiastic, animal lovers.”

Nearly 30 animals currently await adoption from Second Chance foster homes. Money raised goes toward food, medical care and spay or neutering for every pet brought into the rescue.

“We’re both passionate about dogs,” Street said. “We’re fairly new to the organization, but we sure believe in it. We want this to be the most successful event yet.”