About Us – Second Chance Rescue

Second Chance Rescue has been saving the lives of animals for over 30 years. From providing adoption and rehabilitation services, to focusing on caring for sanctuary animals—those mostly made up of seniors. Second Chance Rescue cares for over 100 animals every day and most have extreme medical issues. Our animals live a life as if they were in a home, as we don’t use cages and spend hours daily showing the care and love they deserve.

The only way we can care for these precious animals is from generous support from people like you. Thousands of dollars are spent monthly for healthy food, hay and other necessities. Veterinarian care and emergencies exceed far beyond that at times.

Second Chance Rescue will keep everyone updated on our active Facebook page as to what is happening and if we need special assistance for a particular animal we will also let you know through Facebook, our e-newsletter or even with a special GoFundMe page.

Second Chance Rescue is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are 100% tax deductible.

A letter from founder Debi Root…

I started Second Chance Rescue when I was 19. My heart couldn’t take the fact that innocent animals were killed each day just because they had no safe place to go and nowhere to call home. I continued to build the rescue and was able to save many more animals and continue to do that to this day. In those 30+ years, we were able to rescue and adopt over 25,000 animals into forever homes—and still fight on!

In 2015, I was diagnosed with cancer and although I fought and won that battle, over the next two years, I adopted everyone that was adoptable at the rescue and kept the ones that no one wanted. I was able to make things more manageable for myself by doing that. I am, and have always been a hands on kind of rescue girl!

I so appreciate the volunteers and friends who have helped, but I always have personally cared for the animals because I believe I need them as much as they need me. In 2017, I found out that I was cancer free!

In March of 2018, we purchased land in South Carolina and were able to build a new sanctuary. I moved every one from Florida to South Carolina personally to be sure they were safe and unafraid. I brought the horses, donkeys, goats, pigs, chickens, roosters, dogs, cats, birds and turtles! They are all here and very happy! We are full now again because we just helped another sanctuary up north and took several pigs, these pigs needed to be in a warmer climate and have round the clock care.

We are still a work in progress and continue to make things better for them any chance we get. I have two wonderful girls that help, but I am still able to personally care for and love each and every animal each day. I believe with all my heart, that I was put on this earth to do what I am doing. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Although, we are now a sanctuary and full, I will never turn my back on an animal that needs me and has no other alternative. That being said, I spend a great deal of time sharing, networking, transporting—whatever it takes to place an animal who is looking for a forever home. Thank you for believing in what I do each day to save lives and for the continued support!