Second Chance Animal Adoption, formed in 1998, is entering one of its healthiest periods in years — despite coming dangerously close to shutting down just 12 months ago, according to board members.  

When the organization was created, animal control in Boundary County was handled by law enforcement, and the city's animal shelter was overwhelmed with lost, abandoned, and homeless animals. SCAA stepped in to help fill that gap. 

Today, the nonprofit’s leadership includes shelter staffer Liliana Brinkman; board president Stephanie Chase; board members Jennifer Kelson and Liz Cada; and treasurer Amy Bliss. 

“Financially, we were struggling,” Chase said. 

“Struggling is a nice word,” Cada said. “It was going to go under.” 

“We just kind of found it all out in a matter of a couple days,” Chase said. “That was really stressful, because all of a sudden, these employees who needed their paychecks, (we) were calling them saying, ‘You can't come in tomorrow. We've got to completely cut back.’ That created a lot of tension. And then we slowly, slowly, slowly, started getting our feet under us.” 

“We're doing so much better now,” Kelson said. 

The organization’s thrift store, which funds the shelter’s operations, has played a major role in the turnaround. In the past, it operated far fewer hours. 

“They were open for two days for a little while,” Cada said. “Then they went to three, and then it stayed there for a very long time. So, over the course of probably eight months, we've worked our way up to what's going to happen next week, which will be six days a week.” 

Bliss said thrift store sales in October were up 67% after expanding to a five-day schedule. Donations have also increased, thanks in part to a new drop-off shed outside the front door. 

“We’re getting better product out,” Kelson said. “We're getting a lot more donations ever since we got the donation shed up.” 

The additional revenue directly supports the dogs and cats that come through SCAA’s doors. One new practice has been a source of comfort for dogs at the facility.  

“We've implemented that all the dogs go to bed with a bed blanket and a peanut butter,” Brinkman said. 

The dogs are also now going outside more than ever, and they’re also being posted on Facebook much more. 

“There has been definitely a lot of trying to get them more exposure,” Brinkman said. “Right now, we adopt out animals pretty quickly.” 

“We are very thankful for the community, because when we need help, we put it out there and we get help,” Kelson said. 

Looking ahead, the board hopes to expand the thrift store’s footprint.  

“At some point, we would like to extend into the back so that there’s more space, actually usable floor space for selling items,” Cada said. 

From Dec. 2 to Dec. 20 the thrift store will be hosting a “Kids Shop for Free” event. Last year, over 100 children were provided gifts to give to their family at no cost. Money raised above and beyond the cost of the event will go towards helping SCAA’s animals.