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Second Chance Pet Adoptions - Giving homeless pets a second chance at life

Second Chance Pet Adoptions Blog Announcement

Look who's back for a fourth year at Spring Fling! Second Chance Pet Adoptions is the oldest no-kill animal rescue organization in Raleigh serving Wake County and the surrounding areas. Since their inception in 1987, Second Chance Pet Adoptions has helped nearly 23,000 dogs and cats find their forever homes.


Second Chance's mission is to champion homeless cats and dogs that are healthy and treatable in the quest to find their forever home, and to engage with other organizations and communities to promote responsible pet ownership with the goal of reducing future generations of homeless animals.

Second Chance Pet Adoptions Adopt Becky & Buckley
Adopt Suzy!

Second Chance started like most rescues do, with a small group that wanted to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets in their community. In the beginning, they were completely foster based but in 2004 the program and support had grown so much, they were able to open a cageless, no-kill facility to house cats. They became of the few rescues in the area that has a place you can go to visit adoptable cats.


Second Chance had a great year in 2025! They expanded their footprint by 40%, adding additional square footage to expand their dog program and give valuable space back to the cats in their program (who didn't love having to share space with the dogs!). They added several staff members and increased the number of dog and cat adoptions over 2024 too.


They also worked to reduce the heartbreaking animal homelessness problem in our state by dedicating funds to provide 1,650 spay/neuter surgeries to residents in rural communities in our state for whom access to these procedures is difficult due to access and/or prohibitive cost.


We are thrilled to have Second Chance Pet Adoptions joining us again this year! When asked what they love about Spring Fling this is what they said:


"We LOVE this event! It's such a great way to bring together the community - rescue organizations, small businesses, animal lovers. There is something for everyone!"

You can learn more about Second Chance, the work they do, and see all their adoptable animals on their website. Make sure to follow them on their socials, Facebook and Instagram, to keep up with their activities, events, and all their adorable adoptable dogs and cats!





More Second Chance Adoptables!

(available as of 4/7/26)



You can vote for Goosey, the stunning 40-lb Siberian Husky full of energy, love, and personality seen above, in the Spring Fling Rescue Photo Contest going on now! Click like/love on his photo in the contest photo album on Facebook before 10pm on Monday, April 27th to help Second Chance win 500lbs of VICTOR Super Premium Pet Food! Click here to vote for Goosey and Second Chance: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18YEHmnnMX/


Visit Second Chance Pet Adoptions at

Unleashed's 13th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:

 
 
 

The Maggie Society - Canine Rescue, Rehab, & Education


The Maggie Society Logo Banner

The Maggie Society is back for another Spring Fling! Recognized as a 501C3 nonprofit in August of 2016, this group has been dedicated to rescuing homeless, neglected, or abandoned dogs and helping find them loving, permanent homes. You might recognize this group if you shop at our Cary store! The Maggie Society regularly holds adoption events there and you can find them in front of the store with adorable, adoptable dogs.


Upcoming Maggie Society Meet and Greets at Unleashed of Cary: 2066 Kildaire Farm Rd. Cary, NC 27518!

  • 6/27 from 12-3 pm

  • 7/25 from 12-3 pm

  • 9-19 from 12-3pm

  • 11/21 from 12-3pm


Check out the Unleashed events calendar to see potentially more dates that they will be there!


The Maggie Society is a foster-based group which means that their dogs live in foster homes where they learn valuable social skills and house manners while they prepare for their next chapter as a beloved family member. Other dedicated volunteers stay busy doing transport drives up the coast to get dogs to their fur-ever homes with The Maggie Society’s northern rescue partners. Volunteers are the driving force behind this group’s rescue, rehabilitation, and education efforts!


In addition to their adoption program, The Maggie Society works to educate the community about responsible pet ownership to help reduce the number of homeless dogs in need. They teach their community the importance of spaying and neutering, proper vetting, positive behavior training, good nutrition, and how owners can provide their dogs a quality life with good mental, emotional, and physical health.


Adoptable Dogs from The Maggie Society (as of 4/7/26)



You can vote for Bud Flanagan in the Rescue Photo Contest going on now! Click like/love on his photo in the contest photo album on Facebook before 10pm on Monday, April 27th to help the Maggie Society win 500lbs of VICTOR Super Premium Pet Food! Click here to vote for Bud Flanagan and the Maggie Society: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18YEHmnnMX/


Looking for something to do after Spring Fling? Check out Maggiepalooza!


The Maggie Society’s largest annual fundraising event, hosted at the award-winning Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Historic Downtown Wilson, Maggiepalooza features adoptable dogs, pawtraits, delicious food trucks, refreshing pawgaritas, live music, and a variety of market vendors. It’s a fun-filled day packed with activities and plenty of opportunities to support rescue dogs in need.

Maggiepalooza

Saturday, May 2

8am-12pm

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park

301 Goldsboro St. S Wilson, NC 27893


You can keep up with The Maggie Society, and their other adoptable dogs on their website or find more information on their Facebook or Instagram!


Stop by The Maggie Society's booth at

Unleashed's 13th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:

 
 
 

Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption - Where Pets are Family


Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption Logo Banner

Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA) is back at Spring Fling this year! Their dedication to helping animals in need makes them a perfect addition to this year's rescue lineup.


CARA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, volunteer-run organization that depends entirely on individual and corporate donations, as well as fundraising proceeds, to carry out its mission. They do not receive any funding from government agencies or national animal welfare organizations. The rescue is fortunate to have a compassionate and dedicated team of volunteers, board members, and supporters who make their life-saving work possible.


MISSION:

"To promote responsible pet ownership through humane education, and to provide shelter and care to domestic companion animals until a loving, responsible home can be found, or lost pets are reunited with their guardians."

Dr. Ron Myres and Pat Sprouse

The beginning of CARA started shortly after Dr. Ron Myres, DVM, opened his veterinary practice in Sanford, NC in 1977. One of Dr. Myres’ first clients was Pat Sprouse, who became close friends with Ron and his wife, Gail.


Sitting around a dinner table, they joined forces with Sissy and Poly Cohen and Diane and Rodney Harrill to form a team of caring people devoted to finding a solution to the growing population of homeless animals in Lee County.


Carolina Animal Rescue and Adopt's brick and mortar rescue building where it all began

Their collective efforts would later result in the beginning of the San-Lee Humane Society in the early 1980's, a facility that eventually became Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption (CARA) in 2003. As one would expect, the number of homeless animals were more than they could handle effectively without a facility.


CARA continues to find loving forever homes for animals and is committed to a no-kill philosophy. It takes the dedication, generosity, caring and support of the community to allow CARA to do what it does. Since 2003 CARA has found homes for thousands of dogs and cats. Animals have been rehomed as far north as Vermont and as far south as Florida.

CARA has hosted countless community groups at the shelter as well as given humane education presentations at local schools and organizations.


"Adopt a pet today and find out what unconditional love is all about."

Adoptable Highlight: Sonny!



A brown Cane Corso Mastiff mix wearing a St. Patrick's day themed bandana smiling for the camera

Sonny is a Cane Corso Mastiff mix looking for his forever home!


"I am a sweet pup who loves being with my people, although no children in the home please. I need an owner with experience, and I need an active home. I would love to have a big fenced in back yard please. I just want a place to be able to live out the rest of my amazing life in relaxation and full of love."


Learn more about Sonny on Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption's website!






Rescue Highlights!




More Adoptable Pets!

( available as of 4/10/26)

From top to bottom, left to right meet: Squirrel, SugarPlum, Jack Skeleton, and Catniss! Click on their picture to learn more about them!


See more adoptable dogs and cats and learn more about Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption on their website, plus, be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with their adoptable pups and events!


Find the Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption booth at Spring Fling to browse their collection of rescue merchandise, leashes, collars, and raffle basket!


Visit Carolina Animal Rescue and Adoption at

Unleashed's 13th Annual Spring Fling Dog & Cat Fundraiser

Sunday, April 26, 2026

12-6 pm

Koka Booth Amphitheatre


Stay up to date on all things Spring Fling 2026:

 
 
 
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