Our Story
Born from compassion, built by community
How We Started
Second Chance Pet Pantry was founded in 2021 by a small group of Tooele County residents who kept seeing the same heartbreaking pattern: families facing financial hardship forced to surrender beloved pets simply because they couldn't afford food or basic supplies. They believed no family should have to make that choice.
What began as a few boxes of donated kibble in a garage has grown into a full-service nonprofit pantry serving hundreds of families and thousands of animals across Tooele County every year. We are 100% volunteer-run and donation-funded — every dollar and every bag of food goes directly to the animals and families who need it most.
We are proud to serve not just urban households but also the farming and rural communities of Tooele County, where working animals — horses, livestock guardian dogs, barn cats — are essential partners in daily life. When a farm family struggles, their animals struggle too. We're here for all of them.
We Serve All of Tooele County — Including Its Farms
Tooele County is home to ranchers, farmers, and rural families whose working animals are as essential as any household pet. Livestock guardian dogs, barn cats, horses, and farm animals all deserve care — and when a farm family faces hardship, those animals are often the first to go without.
Our rural outreach program, led by Tom Whitfield, coordinates large-animal supply donations with regional feed stores and delivers directly to farms when needed. If you're a rural family in Tooele County, we are here for you and every animal on your property.
Mission, Vision & Values
To keep pets and animals with the families who love them by providing food, supplies, and compassionate support to households experiencing financial hardship in Tooele County, Utah.
A Tooele County where no animal goes hungry and no family is forced to surrender a pet due to financial hardship.
We serve every family with dignity and respect, no questions asked about how they got here.
We are neighbors helping neighbors — rooted in Tooele County and accountable to the people we serve.
Every donation is used transparently and directly for the animals and families in our care.
We serve pets of all kinds — dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, horses, livestock, and more.
We honor the trust of our donors by maximizing every resource and minimizing waste.
We collaborate with local vets, shelters, food banks, and businesses to multiply our impact.
Who We Serve
Any Tooele County resident experiencing financial hardship is welcome — no income verification, no judgment.
Families in Crisis
Job loss, medical bills, or unexpected hardship — we help families keep their pets through tough times.
Seniors on Fixed Incomes
Companion animals are vital to senior wellbeing. We ensure cost is never a barrier to that bond.
Farm & Rural Households
Working dogs, barn cats, horses, and livestock — rural families and their animals are fully welcome.
Single-Parent Households
Pets provide stability and comfort for children. We help single parents maintain that for their kids.
Veterans & Disabled Residents
Service animals and emotional support animals are a lifeline. We prioritize their care.
Anyone Who Needs Help
If you live in Tooele County and need help feeding your animals, we are here. No barriers.
Our Leadership Team
100% volunteer-led. Every one of us is a Tooele County neighbor who believes animals and families deserve better.
Sarah has lived in Tooele County her whole life. After volunteering at the county shelter for years, she co-founded Second Chance Pet Pantry to address the root cause of surrenders: financial hardship. She manages day-to-day operations and donor relations.
David brings 15 years of logistics experience to the pantry. He oversees inventory, distribution events, and our network of drop-off locations across the county. He shares his home with three rescue dogs.
Karen recruits, trains, and schedules our 60+ active volunteers. A retired teacher, she brings warmth and organization to everything she touches. She is also our lead for senior outreach.
James builds and maintains relationships with local businesses, veterinary clinics, and community organizations. His network has brought in dozens of corporate sponsors and in-kind donors.
Maria plans and executes all of our food drives, fundraisers, and community events. Her creativity and energy have made our annual Paws & Pints fundraiser one of Tooele's most anticipated events.
Tom grew up on a ranch in Tooele County and understands the unique needs of rural families. He leads our farm animal program and coordinates large-animal supply donations with regional feed stores.
Join Our Mission
Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply spread the word — you make a difference for animals and families in Tooele County.