Ended up adopting the foster and still keep in touch now and then with the organization Fostered again through them afterwards since the first experience was great never felt like there was no support and they provided everything read more

06/02/2026- A feral cat was brought to a pet hospital (Stanton Pet Hospital, 8591 Katella Ave, Stanton, CA) due to breathing issues. His exam and treatment were being covered by a third-party person or organization (Hilary Strauss/ Second Chances). During the check in, hospital staff were informed of the possible cause for the cat's issues. He had possibly ingested water from a bowl that was covered in mold. The cat was dropped off under the impression that he would be treated and returned to the primary person (feeder). The cat was sedated while an x-ray was completed. He was determined to have fluid in his lungs or abdomen. The hospital and the agent for the third party (Hilary Strauss) made the decision to euthanize the cat while he was sedated. This decision was made without any signs of suffering or distress, positive results of an incurable condition, or the inclusion of the primary who delivered the cat for treatment and signed all his paperwork. An effort was made to obtain all documents related to this incident, and those requests were initially denied. The hospital finally provided the patient sign in papers, and results from the x-ray. The sign in sheet had been amended by the hospital's office manager (Sylvia Hernandez) and there were no copies of results from any exams or blood work. read more

If I could give ZERO I would. I sent them email and received auto response. sent them application form and heard nothing. Called Petco for time they would set up for adoption event and was told 1 hour after they open 10AM. Went to event Saturday June 8 at 10. Was told by Second chance all the dogs would arrive at 11AM. We stayed for the hour and was then told the dogs I wanted would not be there for another 2 weeks, by Second Chance Manager. She then lied to me and said their web site said this, I questioned her and then she said the site says soon. She lied again and said she sent me an email with questions never received, though I did receive auto response email. All of the volunteers acted like they didn't want to be there and treated us extremely rude. Not a place I would want to get a pet from. Think twice And do your homework. read more

For those who left bad reviews it was mostly due to not being approved. Second Chance screens their applications very carefully with the safety of the cats. I adopted 3 cats from Second Chance. They are very communicative and courteous. read more

It has been 1.5 years since my fiancé and I adopted 2 kittens (sisters: Sox and Shadow but we renamed them to Nova and Luna) through Second Chance Pet Adoptions. After finding our girls through Pet Finder, which then led me to Second Chance, I submitted our application and we got a response back with our approval almost immediately. Katy was our primary point of contact who facilitated the whole process of meeting our girls and picking them up. She was fantastic and so lovely to work with. Just wanted to say thank you for giving us the brightest lights because I can't imagine our lives without our girls! They bring us an endless amount of joy! Thank you Katy and thank you to everyone at Second Chance! read more

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Alot of "angry people" on here because they either dump their pet and now want to adopt again for whatever reason (i wouldn't leave my cat for any reason, in fact I feel my cat would help me mentally thru the bad times in going thru..why would I dump it..Especially with someone who is a physical abuser smh) The truth is they put a lot of time and effort into these cats and they promise to give them the best homes...All these volunteer give so much of their time and its so lame that they get so much negativity.. My experience was wonderful. They were so kind and helpful with me. I filled out application and talked to them for like 30 mins and then i adopted my beautiful Valentina "aka the queen of my heart" The adoption fee at the current time was 130.00 I believe... and includes Spay/neuter and all shots. I def will come back to get my next cat here. They actually care about these babies. read more

Second Chance Pet Adoptions - Queen Valentina - Pet Adoption Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

SECOND CHANCE DOESN'T GIVE SECOND CHANCES...... (long read) My review is for the unprofessional and hurtful experience I had with this "Rescue" organization....please hear me out, as they would not. 2 years ago, prior to the pandemic, I adopted a cat through Second Chance with absolutely no issues or bumps at all. All of my adoption information that I provided was not checked or referenced and neither was my payment counted, just taken and put into a charity box. A few months after that, my job was dissolved due to COVID-19 and finances became very tight, but we still had the cats. I then was faced with a horrible situation (Physical abuse) in my 10 year marriage, and I needed to leave immediately. My ex and I agreed that he would keep our newly adopted cat and I was to keep my 10-year-old tabby. Well, being the cruel person my ex was to me, it was no surprise to hear he returned the cat without telling me, back to the Second Chance rescue as they had requested if we for some reason could not keep the cat. Fast forward 2 years later and I am out of my abusive marriage, I have an excellent steady job and have doubled my income! I left the victim relationship and became a victor! I decided to reach back out to Second Chance to adopt again and I filled out an application for a young cat with special needs. Since my Tabby at home has special needs with a Kidney diet, I thought we would be the perfect match! I was assumed approved and arrangements were made to visit with the Foster Mom. I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CAT!! The Foster stated that she had never seen a connection and was so glad this little girl would be getting the lifetime treatment and care she desperately needed, as she was returned before due to health and no longer was getting visitors of interest. I heard back the day of from the Foster that she had spoken with Hillary, and that the kitty would be ready to be picked up and I was "All set" to come get her from her house. The rescue location in HB had an outbreak of Ringworm and didn't want any cats there. I was ecstatic! I then received a call from Second Chance several hours later that day, rudely stating they remember my ex-husband "returning" the previous cat and decided to intimidate me and interview me on his behavior-a person I have absolutely no connection with anymore. I received an email late Sunday night with no body or explanation, just a letter attached of denial with a right to refuse any explanation and that none would be given. I was devastated that they would confidently tell me that all was approved, set up an in-person interview with the foster, allow me to attach to the cat with special needs, tell me I was all set to pick her up later that day, call and intimidate me about my ex-husbands behavior, and then send me a PDF of denial with no explanation. That's just savage!!! I may be at a much more remarkable place in my life, and their organization is named Second Chance, but Second Chances they do not give.... such disappointment with a non-profit with lots and lots of kitties who need homes, and a management staff who feels they can deny anyone without reason. From here going forward, Second Chance has given me the infinite consequence of and labeled me as "not an acceptable person to adopt to due to their criteria." I am so sad and confused of the cruelty. I put my life in a better place and I would've the same for this cat. Good luck to all who apply. read more

Both my boyfriend and I are accountants and could've given a cat a very happy life, and was more then willing to make changes, yet without talking/consulting with us, they chose to immediately send a rejection. They mentioned they could not give a reason for the denial due to the well-being of the cat, but it is still confusing why that is the case. This gives the impression, they either don't want to adopt out the cats or they have very subjective criterias on how they evaluate you. I would have given a higher rating even if they rejected my application had the shelter explained why we were denied or suggested other cats that may have been better fit for us. However, they still deserve a 2 stars as they reply quickly. read more

My apologies for the long read... We wanted to get a kitten, and I wanted to go through a rescue. I filled out the two page application, and we went to the PetCo location in HB, as it directed online, to see what cats they had available. They won't let you in to view the cats, but you can see them through the glass windows. They explained that it is a COVID thing, so, understandable. The rescue cleaning crew happened to be there, and took a photo of our application and emailed it over to the adoption coordinator and told us that she would be in touch. I received an email later that night, thanking me for my application and asking for a photo of my back patio space. I sent the photo, even though I had indicated in my application that this was going to be an indoors cat. Less than 24 hours later, I received another email letting me know that my adoption application was denied, but that they couldn't tell me why, for the well-being of the animals. I can only assume that it was because she felt that we were going to let the cat have free access to an outdoor patio. The adoption coordinator never made any contact with me, either in person or via phone. We are a family of three that would have provided a loving and safe home for a kitten, and if they had a concern about the access to the back patio, they could have just asked me if I planned on having the cat out there, and I would have said no. I understand that they want the cats to go to good homes, but the process of evaluating what makes a good home seems to be made on assumptions, instead of taking the time to actually vet a potential owner. The only positive thing that I can report from my interaction with this rescue is that at least they let me know quickly, instead of dragging it out over 5-7 days, as it mentions on their website that it could take that long for your application to be evaluated. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. This place is very rude and harrassed my mother and I over Facebook because they are making false claims that my mom was a horrible pet owner who had lost 5 cats to horrible ends which is the farthest from the truth. We never said that we had lost 5 cats nor had we ever had 5 cats we told her that we had 2 cats and that they were indoor/outdoor cats and that one died of cancer and the other one died of old age. It was very upsetting to my mother and I that she was spreading lies about us we even have proof of it and are planning on suing her for slander. read more

worst shelter ever! they denied me because i'm a student. i told them i'm financially supported be my family but they still denied me. i feel offended! they discriminate towards student!!! read more

Just got denied for an adoption by this entity. Have been a cat owner for over 30 years and all have lived healthy and happy lives. Wanted to adopt a kitten, filled out app and was immediately denied!!! No reason given!!! Not sure what their requirements are, but I guess they'd rather have kittens in foster homes or sheltered in cages, rather than allowing qualified cat lovers to adopt them. News flash Second Chance...You cannot dictate how people raise their pets. Most people that go through the process of adoption will love their pets...Stop assuming the worse from everyone!!!! read more

This is an excellent pet rescue. They screen potential adopters very carefully because some people are just not good pet owners and they want the animals they place to have excellent, safe, healthy and long term forever homes. Some people don't understand that a cat can live to be 18 or even longer and that adopting a cat is a commitment - not just a thing to be returned or tossed out in the neighborhood when you move or your landlord says you cannot have a pet. Second Chance believes, and rightly so, that pets are part of the family and the owners of the animal(s) work to stay with their pets and give them a loving life. The negative reviews on this board are clearly from people who the organization believed did not fit their criteria. There are many places to adopt a pet if you are not approved. The "kill" shelter in the county and city of Orange, California will adopt to anyone. If you are denied, don't put these volunteers down - they save 100s of animals per year, giving their time for free! Just go rescue a pet somewhere else - a kill shelter is a great idea - you will save a life. read more