Second Chance Animal Adoption and the Community That Built It
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 12
More than two decades of care, commitment, and second chances in Boundary County
By Like Media Team
Second Chance Animal Adoption (SCAA) has become a constant presence in Boundary County by responding to need with steady, hands-on care. Founded in 1998 by Kate Turner, Alice Miller, and nine other community members, the organization began in cooperation with then–Chief of Police Dave Kramer after witnessing the conditions at the Bonners Ferry City holding pens, where animals were often euthanized due to limited space and the lack of indoor shelter.
In the early years, Alice and her husband built kennels inside their large barn to temporarily house dogs for the city pound. Over time, community support and determination made something more permanent possible. In 2010, SCAA built Boundary County’s only non-kill shelter, later adding a separate building for cats. Today, Second Chance Animal Adoption continues to serve as a place of safety for abandoned, lost, homeless, and abused animals while supporting residents who are doing their best to care for their pets.
That support often shows up in quiet, practical ways. Donated pet food from partners such as Chewy, Tractor Supply, and community members helps feed animals in SCAA’s care, with additional food made available through the thrift store. The system is organized to allow quiet, no-questions-asked support based on available resources.
The thrift store plays a critical role in keeping SCAA operational, providing the funding needed for staffing, maintenance, veterinary care, and daily shelter needs in a small community with limited public support.
“It’s important that our community understands SCAA is both a thrift store and a shelter,” says Liz Cada, secretary of the organization. “They are not two separate entities. Without the thrift store, there could be no shelter.”
SCAA’s impact extends beyond adoption numbers. Staff work closely with local veterinary clinics and Better Together Animal Alliance to help animals, even when space or resources are limited. In many cases, animals recovering from injury, illness, or trauma are cared for in staff members’ homes.
“Many times we’ve taken in dogs that were set to be euthanized for no good reason,” says Vice President Jennifer Kelson. “We’ve been able to step in, care for them, and find loving homes because every dog deserves that chance.”
Animals at the shelter are treated with the understanding that healing takes time. Dogs spend their days outdoors and are brought inside to shared living spaces during colder weather. Cats and dogs receive daily interaction in calm, home-like environments designed to reduce fear and rebuild trust.
Running a shelter comes with ongoing challenges. Limited space, financial constraints, and outdated technology require creativity and constant collaboration. Volunteers support both the shelter and thrift store, foster volunteers open their homes when capacity is stretched, and community members often help cover emergency veterinary costs when needs are shared.
SCAA continues to look ahead, with goals that include maintaining healthy animals, improving shelter visibility, upgrading technology, and eventually expanding to help more animals across Boundary County.
SCAA remains open through the combined efforts of volunteers, foster homes, thrift store support, and donations that fund daily operations and veterinary care. Each contribution directly supports the animals in their care and reinforces a community-wide commitment to giving every animal a safe place and a second chance.
Second Chance Animal Adoption
6651 Lincoln St., Bonners Ferry, ID
208.267.7504
You can also support the shelter by liking, following, and sharing their posts on social media. The simple act of sharing posts can mean so much.
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