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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:

 
 
 

Wake County Animal Center: The County's only Open-Admission Shelter

Wake County Animal Center will be at Spring Fling!

Wake County residents will surely recognize this next non-profit attendee! The Wake County Animal Center has been joining since the beginning of Spring Fling, and we are thrilled to welcome them back again! We asked their team why the love Spring Fling and this is what they said:

"As far as I'm concerned, this is the biggest animal event of the year!"
WCAC Adopt Capone

Wake County Animal Center is our open admission (the only one in Wake County), county shelter that receives all the stray and abandoned pets in Wake County. They also take owner surrendered pets and as an open admission shelter, they have to take any animal that comes through the doors. This means that sometimes they end up with animals other than dogs and cats, like chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even birds or reptiles on occasion!


WCAC work with fosters, volunteers and rescues to re-home thousands of pets each year. They also have an adoption center, which welcomes visitors to come and look at the pets on their adoption floor (during adoption floor hours.)


The Wake County Animal Center has operated out of their current facility off New Bern Avenue in Raleigh since 1996. Prior to that, the Animal Center was located on Rogers Lane in Raleigh. By 2029, WCAC hopes to move into a brand-new facility off Auburn Knightdale Road.


They recently received approval from the County Manager's Office and the County Commissioners for their new building. In 2025, they grew their Volunteer Program from ~16,000 hours per year to over 28,000 hours. WCAC continues their lifesaving efforts with help from their fosters, volunteers, donors, and community members.


Meet Capone!

(Professional Goofball & Boss of Good Boys)


Fuhgeddaboudit-Capone is here, and he's running this operation with charm, snacks, and a whole lot of love. Don't let his name fool you-this guy isn't looking to run the streets; he's

looking to run your sofa!

WCAC Adoptable Capone
Adopt Capone!

This lovely gentleman is equal parts couch potato and adventure buddy. He loves long walks around the neighborhood to "check his territory", followed by extended naps where he supervises the household from the couch. Occasionally, he gets so pumped to go out on a walk that he will take matters into his own paws and pick up his leash to remind you that it's time to go!


Capone is extremely loving and will happily soak up all the pets, cuddles, and praise you're willing to give. He's a total foodie and firmly believes snacks are a basic human right (and should be shared). He can be a tiny bit stubborn when he's decided his way is the better way. But honestly, it just adds to his charm. Learn more on Capone's adoptable profile!



WCAC offers tours of the Animal Center for anyone interested in learning more about who they are, where they are, and what they do. They also cannot save the lives they save without fosters, volunteers, and donations - thank you for your support! Learn more about tours, fostering, and volunteering on their website!


You can also follow along on WCAC's Facebook and Instagram!


Visit the Wake County Animal Center team in-person 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:


 
 
 

RUFF - Rescue ur Forever Friend!

Rescue Ur Forever Friend Blog

Rescue Ur Forever Friend (RUFF) is returning to Spring Fling! RUFF is an all-volunteer, foster based, nonprofit rescue dedicated to reducing the homeless population of pets, through foster care, medical treatment and adoption into forever homes. RUFF envisions a community where every pet finds a loving and permanent home, is spayed or neutered, and is treated with respect and compassion.

RUFF love

RUFF's Mission is to improve the quality of life of homeless pets by providing a safe refuge through excellent foster and medical care until their permanent homes are secured, ensuring a long lifetime of safety, love and companionship. RUFF also encourages responsible pet ownership through education, advocacy, programs and services.


At RUFF, they believe every animal deserves a second chance at love. They are a foster-based, all-volunteer rescue in Triangle, powered entirely by people who give their time, hearts, and homes to save lives. Because RUFF's dogs live in foster families, they receive real love, real structure, and real healing while they wait for their forever homes.


RUFF isn't just rescuing pets; they are building a compassionate community that believes every tail wag matters. From late-night transports to joyful adoption days, it truly takes a village, and they are so proud of theirs. Every adoption is a celebration, every foster is a hero, and every volunteer is part of the heartbeat of this mission.


When you support RUFF, you’re not just helping an animal, you’re giving hope, love, and a fresh start. If you have thought about fostering, come talk to them, they would love to share more. RUFF had 65 dogs adopted this past year. Help them rescue even more by fostering!


Meet Peach!

RUFF Peaches Valentines
Adopt Peach!

(available as of 4/11/26)


"Hi there! My name is Peach, or Peaches, or Peachie. You can call me any of them. I'm a big girl (95lbs) but I don't know I am that large (I still think I'm a puppy). Like my fruity name, I’m sweet, full of personality, and a little zesty too! I’m a happy, playful, and cuddly girl who loves adventures,

walks, and curling up in your lap or by your feet for snuggles.


I’m looking for a loving home with adults or older kids who can appreciate my playful, affectionate personality. My foster mom says I’m a joy to care for, and she has experience with dogs like me, so she knows just how to make me feel comfortable and secure."


Learn more about this pretty lady or apply to adopt on Peach's profile!



See all of RUFF's available pets here: Animal Browse


Learn more about how to adopt, donate, and more on their website and keep up with their current events on Facebook  and Instagram.


RUFF has a monthly Meet and Greet at Unleashed of Cary on the first Saturday of every month! Their next one will be on May 2nd from 10:00am - 1:00pm. Check out the Unleashed calendar of events to stay up-to-date with our schedule!


Visit RUFF and browse their rescue merch, handmade items, and raffle baskets 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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