Help Keep Second Chance Mushers Rescue Moving Forward!

Caring for 37 rescued northern-breed dogs is a full-time responsibility, and unfortunately, several unexpected expenses have come up at once. I’m asking for a little extra help to get through these challenges and keep moving forward.

🚌 Thomas, Our School Bus

Thomas is currently not starting, and I suspect his three large batteries may need to be replaced. Unfortunately, these aren’t batteries I can easily replace myself.

If I cannot get Thomas running, the tow bill alone to transport him to a repair shop in Gaylord, Michigan, will be approximately $650. That doesn’t include replacement batteries, labor, or any additional repairs.

🚤 The Malagator, Our 1989 Pontoon

After nearly two years of not being able to enjoy the Malagator, I finally attempted to take him out on Torch Lake, only to encounter electrical and starting problems.

The boat now needs repairs and proper winterization before Michigan’s freezing temperatures arrive. I want to avoid further damage that could lead to even more expensive repairs next spring.

🐾 Identification Collars for the Dogs

All of the dogs wear Fi GPS collars, but those collars periodically need to be removed for charging. During that time, I want everyone to have a separate collar with permanent identification.

Traditional dangling identification tags simply don’t work here. They constantly fall off or get lost. I’m hoping to purchase collars with identification built directly into them so the dogs are never without identification.

The estimated cost for these collars is approximately $700.

❤️ Why I’m Asking for Help

I also want to explain something that has been incredibly difficult for me.

Since the beginning of September, I had been working 15½-hour on-call shifts without realizing that my employer was paying me only $2 an hour during the portions of those shifts when I wasn’t actively seeing patients.

I was working more than 80 hours a week, giving up much of my time to be available for patients, believing I was earning enough to keep up with my financial responsibilities.

Unfortunately, when I received my paycheck, I realized just how little I had actually earned. Despite working those long hours, I had fallen behind financially.

That has been absolutely devastating.

I sincerely apologize for getting behind on things. I was working incredibly hard, and I truly believed I was doing what I needed to do to support myself and the sanctuary. I have since made the difficult decision to return to the hospital full-time so I can earn a more dependable income.

Between the ongoing expenses of caring for 37 dogs, veterinary bills, food, utilities, and now these unexpected repairs, I am doing everything I can to catch up.

🐾 Any Additional Funds Will Help Cover Veterinary Care

If this fundraiser raises more than what is needed for the immediate repairs and identification collars, every additional dollar will go toward completing the remaining annual veterinary appointments for 15 dogs.

These appointments are essential to keeping everyone healthy and include routine examinations, annual bloodwork, heartworm testing, and necessary vaccinations.

With 37 dogs depending on me, veterinary expenses add up quickly, and getting everyone caught up on their annual care remains one of my biggest priorities.

Every donation, no matter the amount, makes a difference.

I never take your generosity for granted. Thank you for supporting Second Chance Mushers Rescue, believing in what I do, and helping me continue providing a safe and loving home for these incredible dogs.

Repair Thomas and Malagator

Team Members