Temporary foster care
Dogs receive safe, loving care while their owners work through a temporary crisis.
Official website of Second Leash
No one should have to choose between getting help and keeping their dog.
Second Leash is an Arkansas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing temporary foster care for dogs when their owners face incarceration, treatment, hospitalization, housing instability, domestic violence, or another temporary crisis.
Official organization information
Secondleash.us is the official website of Second Leash.
Second Leash is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our Employer Identification Number is 33-3031631. Second Leash was founded and is led by Brandie Self, Founder and Executive Director.
Official organizational email: bself@secondleash.us
Our mission
More Than Rescue — We’re Preservation.
Many rescue organizations do incredible work finding abandoned or homeless animals permanent homes. We deeply respect that mission. Our mission is different. The dogs who come into our care are not unwanted. They are deeply loved. They belong to people experiencing difficult, temporary circumstances who simply need time, support, and a safe solution for their pets. That’s where we step in. Second Leash works to: prevent unnecessary shelter surrender, reduce overcrowding in shelters, protect the human-animal bond, support individuals working toward recovery and rebuilding their lives and create safe, loving foster placements until reunion becomes possible. Every foster home becomes a bridge between crisis and hope.
Ownership stays intact
Our goal is reunification. Owners do not surrender their dogs for adoption simply because they need help.
Healing without heartbreak
People can pursue treatment, reentry, medical care, or stability knowing their dog is not being left behind.
Who we serve
A safety net for people and pets
Second Leash is based in Searcy, Arkansas, serves communities statewide, and considers nationwide placements when safe foster capacity and transportation make it possible.
TemporaryCare designed for reunification
FlexiblePlacements considered case by case
StatewideArkansas service focus
NationwideWhen resources allow
Choose your path
How will you help keep a family together?
Learn about our work
See how temporary fostering works, who we help, and why preventing surrender matters.
Open your home
Provide a safe, temporary place for a dog while their person works toward stability.
Fund a safe stay
Help cover food, veterinary care, supplies, transportation, and the practical costs of reunification.
Trust and transparency
A mission-first nonprofit
Second Leash is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations support our charitable mission and may be tax-deductible as allowed by law.
- Official website: secondleash.us
- EIN: 33-3031631
- Founder and Executive Director: Brandie Self
- Official email: bself@secondleash.us
- Clear program and donation information
- No sale or transfer of a dog without proper authority
- Privacy-minded communication and placement practices
Because hard times should not mean permanent goodbyes.
Help us give more dogs a safe place to land—and more people the chance to come back for them.