Volunteers, Board & Staff
The Second Chance SPCA Board is responsible for leadership, governance, and oversight of operations at the shelter. Unlike advisory boards, our board is a “working board” and its members are involved in many of the day to day tasks at the shelter. Board members possess extensive professional experience, with executive leadership accomplishments in business, government, philanthropy, or the non-profit sector. All are chosen for personal qualities of integrity and credibility, and for a passion for improving the lives of homeless pets. The Board meets monthly, and without remuneration. Terms are for one year and are renewable.
For Professional operations, Second Chance has two permanent full time staff members, the Director of Operations and the Assistant manager in addition to our invaluable part time cleaning staff that works so diligently to provide care and upkeep of our shelter and its residents.
Moka Anderson
President
Moka has been involved in animal rescue in the North Texas area for over twenty-five years. She joined the Board in early 2006 and has served in the positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Volunteer Director. Her passion for animals stems from childhood where in addition to dogs, cats, and horses, her pets also included a rescued skunk, duck, and rabbits.
Moka is a graduate of the University of Arkansas and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University. She worked for the FDIC for thirty-three years. Moka also serves as the Chair of the City of McKinney’s Animal Services Facility Advisory Board. Moka lives in McKinney with her husband and rescue dogs Willy and Fraser. Fraser is a proud alum of Second Chance
Anne Bracken
Founder
Anne has been in animal rescue for 17 years. She volunteered for a shelter that closed its doors, and that concerned her enough to start a new shelter to fulfill the need to rescue pets from municipal shelters and keep them safe in a no-kill shelter. That was in 2006, and her efforts have resulted in the startup of Second Chance and the rescue of thousands of dogs and cats.
Anne is a graduate from Missouri State University and has Masters Degrees from the University of Oklahoma and University of Texas – Dallas. She served as President of Second Chance SPCA for 10 years, bringing her passion and insight to discussions.
Anne and her husband are proud parents to three dogs adopted from Second Chance. Hattie the bowlegged schnauzer, Lucy Lu the beagle/chihuahua/dachshund mix and DeDe, a bichon with a defective heart that does not slow her down one bit.
Lara Haji-Avedikian
Vice-President
Lara moved to Dallas from Massachusetts in June of 2017 and shortly started working with Second Chance SPCA. Her previous role as Director of Operations for 2 years of Second Chance gave her the skills and experience to help lead the shelter as Co – Vice President. She worked with animals from a young age of 15 and has since then expanded her knowledge of animal care. Her passion for animals led her to adopt a dog (pictured below) from New Hampshire named King Henry & she even adopted a SCSPCA alumni, Haley. When you visit the shelter, you can usually find Lara cuddling with a kitty or in a dogs outdoor area giving them some love.
Kelly Jensen
Director of Volunteers
As Director of Volunteers, I will respond to your emails, set up orientations for new volunteers, schedule volunteers for special events, or communicate any shelter news. I’ve been a volunteer since July 2009 working with Second Chance as a volunteer, past shift leader, and current board member. I have so many sweet memories of so many of our fur babies that have graced our shelter. In 2016, I was rescued by my own sweet Evee when she joined our family! We’ve also had remarkable volunteers that continually amaze me with their huge hearts and ability to show such love and kindness to our fur babies – so many that had one last chance and that was Second Chance.
Kathy Johnstone
Treasurer
Kathy joined SCSPCA in February 2020. She’s a native of the Texas panhandle and is a Texas Tech University graduate. Over 27 years with the FDIC and FHLBB, Kathy worked primarily in Texas, with several stops in New York, Oklahoma, and Washington DC. Her husband Stephen, a native of Jacksonville, Fla, is also an FDIC retiree. He’s invaluable as the numbers man with QuickBooks, offering support with bookkeeping and analysis. Both are dog lovers but have discovered the serious charm of cats/kits through Second Chance. Over their 30+ years in Plano, they’ve adopted shelter dogs and brought in two pooches, Scooter and Winnie, who were abandoned and made their way right to the street where they live. Winnie, their small mixed breed terrier, has been with them since 2013, and has magical healing powers. They have one son, Walter, who lives/works in Austin. They’re proud to be part of Second Chance and the lifesaving services it provides.
Di Wike
Secretary
Being an animal lover her whole life, Di enjoys volunteering with Second Chance SPCA by taking care of all the dogs, large and small. Walking them, playing with them and cleaning up after them.
Di Wike is a retired Purchasing professional that has also been responsible for negotiating contracts and managing large projects. She volunteered for 10 years with DFW Sheltie Rescue organization. Sometimes, you have to bring some home, so she and her husband have adopted 4 rescued Shelties. They also have a rescued parrot.
Since retirement, Di has volunteered with This Side Up Family, an organization that focuses on strong families, and Second Chance SPCA. Di is a stickler for records, and has a lot of experience in organizing things, and keeping notes on meetings and communicating the status of projects to everyone involved. Considering her previous experience, this position fits her well.
Erin
Director of operations
Erin has worked with animals for around 6 years. She has experience as a veterinary technician with domestic, wild, and exotic animals. She has worked with organizations such as North Texas Wildlife Center and Big Cat Rescue. Erin began volunteering at Second Chance in 2018 while she was finishing school. Erin graduated from UT Dallas with her Bachelors in Biochemistry in 2022 and began working for Second Chance shortly after.
Erin has one rescue dog of her own, a Cairn Terrier named Toast.
At Second Chance, Erin can often be found loving on pets or trying to find them great homes.
Michael King
Assistant Director
Michael has been a volunteer at Second Chance SPCA since 2022. Originally from the England, UK, Michael has background in the legal sector, but along with his passion for animals has gained experience working with domestic animals. Michael and his wife have two cats named Clyde and Neith. Michael hopes to help many of Second Chance’s animals find new, loving homes.