Second Chance Animal Services has purchased the former Plywood Plus property on Park Ave., where the nonprofit plans to build a substantially larger veterinary hospital and community resource center aimed at expanding access to affordable pet care in Worcester.
The property at 600 Park Ave. is roughly five times the size of Second Chance’s existing Worcester location at 831 Main St., according to an announcement Thursday. The organization expects the new facility to open by the end of 2027 and is seeking to raise $1.2 million toward construction, renovations, medical equipment and other costs.
At the center of the project is an expanded Worcester Community Veterinary Hospital, planned at about three times the size of the nonprofit’s current hospital. Second Chance said the added space would allow it to hire more veterinarians and increase the number of appointments, surgeries, preventive services and treatments it can provide.
“We work to keep pets in their homes whenever possible, and access to care is critical to making that happen,” CEO Sheryl Blancato said in the announcement. “A larger facility means more veterinarians, more appointments, more surgeries, and more support for our community.”
Second Chance has operated its Worcester hospital at 831 Main St. since August 2017. It is one of four Community Veterinary Hospitals run by the East Brookfield-based nonprofit, which offers full-service veterinary care at reduced prices as part of its animal welfare mission.
The Park Avenue project would expand that mission beyond the exam room.
Plans include a community thrift shop intended to provide affordable goods to area residents while generating revenue for Second Chance. The new property is also expected to become a base for an expansion of the organization’s mobile services, including Community Vaccine Clinics and Homebound to the Rescue, a program that brings veterinary care to pets whose owners cannot easily travel to a hospital.
Second Chance describes the model as a “hub-and-spoke” approach, with the larger Worcester hospital serving as a central location supporting services delivered in neighborhoods and communities where veterinary care may be harder to access.
“This expansion gives us an opportunity to rethink what access to care can look like,” Blancato said in the announcement. “We want to make it easier for families to get the help they need, whether that means veterinary care for their pet, access to affordable resources or a connection to another community service.”
Before that can happen, however, the former Plywood Plus property will require significant work.
Second Chance is seeking help from contractors, tradespeople, construction companies, suppliers and other local businesses willing to provide donated or discounted labor, materials, supplies and professional services.
The organization is also soliciting donations and sponsorships as it works toward its $1.2 million fundraising goal. Sponsorship opportunities will include individual rooms and spaces within the new hospital.
“This is an opportunity for local contractors and businesses to make a lasting difference right here in Worcester,” Chief Development Officer Lindsay McCormack said in the release. “Every donated service, material and hour of expertise helps us get closer to opening our doors and serving more pets and families.”
