Love & Second Chances is on a mission to help death-row, abused, and neglected dogs find forever homes. This Pleasanton-based nonprofit operates two rescue programs. Locally it operates a Northern California all-breed rescue program made possible by foster volunteers.

"We don't discriminate by breed, age, or special needs," says Melody Chen, who founded Love & Second Chances in 2012. "As long as we're capable of helping out, we'll never say no."

Love & Second Chances also operates an international program that matches neglected dogs from abroad with Americans seeking a pet for adoption. That allows the organization to rescue special needs dogs all over the world. The local and international programs complement each other and make it possible for Love & Second Chances to save many dogs that would otherwise die. All adoption fees for the international rescues go directly to a medical savings fund, which allows Love & Second Chances to rescue and sponsor more dogs locally.

"The main difference with our rescue is our international program," notes Chen. "We rescue dogs from meat traders and slaughterhouses. Those are things a lot of people are very shocked to find out about."

Love & Second Chances has received many glowing reviews from happy pet owners who have found joy through adopting rather than purchasing a pet. As one individual wrote, "We adopted our youngest rescue pup from Love & Second Chances. We had a terrific experience and couldn't be happier with our little love bug! Have only heard good things from other adopters."

As a nonprofit, Love & Second Chances depends on donations and a host of volunteers to fulfill its mission. One key component of the program are the volunteers who foster rescues in their homes while a new forever home is sought. Chen acts as a "doggie matchmaker" between rescue animals and those who wish to adopt.

It is not only the rescued dogs who benefit from the services offered by Love & Second Chances. "Many of our adopters note that adopting a dog has helped them complete their family or helped them with anxiety or their health," says Chen. That makes sense. According to a Harvard Medical School Health Report, research shows that having a dog can improve human health in many ways. Dog ownership in particular helps humans be calmer, less isolated, and more physically active. Petting a dog can even reduce the petter's blood pressure and heart rate while also having a positive effect on the dog, according to the report.

Chen became an independent rescuer in her early 20s. She started by rescuing one or two dogs at a time off a shelter's euthanasia list and fostering them until she could find a loving home for them. Early on she had no rescue support: she had to take care of everything herself, including out of pocket expenses. "It wasn't until I started independently rescuing did I realize how much was needed to get a dog ready and prepared for a loving home," notes Chen. "It was a learning experience but one well worth the sweat and tears."

After two years as an independent rescuer, Chen had developed a support network that eventually spanned the globe and gave birth to Love & Second Chances. Today her organization helps rescue the type of neglected dogs that left her heartbroken during a childhood in Taiwan. Love & Second Chances has found loving homes for abandoned dogs, neglected dogs, animals from high-kill shelters, and dogs with special needs.

"No one said it would be easy, they only said it would be worth it," says Chen.

For more information about Love & Second Chances, please visit lovesecondchances.org.

Love & Second Chances also has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LoveSecondChances and an Instagram account at www.instagram.com/lovesecondchances.