Hi all,This is a feeler posting to see what type of response we receive.I work with HALO Animal Rescue in Phoenix. We are a 501(c)3 non profit that is racing toward saving 10,000 dogs and cats this year. We have recently taken over all of the adoption functions at the Maricopa Animal Care and Control shelter in Phoenix.Maricopa County is the second largest open intake shelter system in the US with over 96,000 pets entering the shelter system each year. Unfortunately, the euthanasia rate here is over %50.We are exploring new innovative ways to save more pets each year.One of the unique situations here is that we have LOTS of small dogs in our rescue and shelter system. Many more than we can find homes for.On the other hand, many cities and rescues around the Country have very few small dogs and many willing adopters.We have relationships with rescues around the country who will take many of our small dogs. The issue is transportation - how to get the dogs relocated in a cost effective way.Here is the idea - RVer's, depending on your route, space and willingness, would transport 1-5 small dogs at a time from Phoenix to a prearranged destination in the Northwest, Rocky Mountain region, Midwest or Northeast.All of the dogs would be provided a crate, leash and food. They will be sterilized, vaccinated for bordatella, rabies, 4 in 1 and be micro chipped.Your responsibility would be to provide safe and loving care and transportation for the dogs. Feeding, potty breaks and delivery to the destination rescue.We would love to hear your feedback on this idea!Thanks,Mark P.Volunteer Adoption CounselorHALO Animal Rescue

I would jump on this opportunity to help if I wasn't already committed to the job I have. You are doing a wonderful job and should be commended for your efforts to save more lives. Hope all goes well for you.

Sounds like a great plan. Here's hoping you get plenty of volunteers.

I think having an inexperienced person transport up to 5 rescue dogs could be a recipe for disaster. I can't tell you how many e-mails fly through my account regarding rescue dogs lost at rest stops, by volunteer transporters. Collars are not tight enough and dogs back out of them -- some dogs don't even have collars on them when they are lost. Most rescue dogs have been through a lot, by the time they get to rescue. Many are very skittish and if they do break away from an inexperienced handler, it is difficult to impossible to get them back.Taking on responsibility for 5 dogs of unknown backgrounds is a lot to ask of someone. If the person has pets of their own, it's unknown how the animals will get along in the MH. Or if the rescue dogs may expose the transporter's own pets to some illness that hasn't surfaced yet.You say they are speutered, vaccinated, microchipped -- what about worming? Grooming? Fleas? Heartworm tested? I know I've gotten dogs from shelters who were neutered and not bathed. I don't understand why a shelter would risk surgery on filthy dogs infested with fleas, but it has happened to me in the past.I've transported many, many rescue dogs. Many get stressed and sick in a vehicle. 5 dogs can make a huge mess. I kept the back of my SUV covered in tarps, to save the carpet.In theory, the idea sounds good, but it's a lot for anyone to think about before stepping up to the plate. I know how many messes I've cleaned out of my car after a short trip home from the shelter or to the vet and back. If I were going some place and one dog needed a ride, I might offer, if the dog was cleaned up and healthy. But to take on 5, I wouldn't do it in my MH. If the dog has fleas, and you get them in your coach....I never got involved in long transports - always felt there were more than enough dogs in my own area that needed help. One time, I strayed from my standard procedures, and agreed to accept a dog from SC that needed surgery for untreated glaucoma. A volunteer pulled him from the shelter, and he was groomed and had surgery before transport. The volunteer paid to put him on a paid transport comign north. What a disaster. This transport had crates stacked with no trays. The dog I got was about a week post-op. The transport removed his e-collar, he was thrown in a crate and other dogs urinated and defecated on top of him from above.I tried it once, and never, ever again will I do that.I'm a firm believer in rescue and hope you don't take my thoughts the wrong way. A lot of times people mean well, and offer to do something and they really have no idea what they are getting in to.I do wish you well in your mission.

Raindove, Thanks for your comments, it sounds like you have had quite the experiences in the rescue community!Many of your concerns can be overcome prior to shipping a dog. For example, flea and tick bathes, harness collars, vet health certificates, etc.Investigation of HALO would uncover a highly effective, responsible and professionally run rescue. This is exactly why Maricopa County chose them to take over the adoption functions for the large county shelter. We take ownership/possession and health responsibility for all animals prior to adoption.Currently we have a relationship with Dog Is My CoPilot and fly as many as 20 dogs at a time on a small private plane. This method is effective, but costly.The bottom line is - every dog we move out of Phoenix is a life saved because it opens up room in our rescue. We would like to build long term relationships with transporters and this will only happen if we make it as smooth and professional as possible.

I travel with four rescues as it is and I would be more than happy to transport as many as possible to get them a Home! I cant walk into a Shelter anyplace without feeling depressed so finding homes for as many "babies" as possible is a wonderful thing. I appauld your devotion to this...Bless you!

Would you help transport small rescued dogs? | Good Sam Community

rockhillmanor
Explorer
May 21, 2013
Halo's intentions and track record are to be commended but you need to seek legal advice on interstate transportation.

In this instance where one dog is NOT be transported to a designated adopted family, but 'many dogs' at one time going from one county shelter to another involves permits/license by the Dept of Ag. You are asking private citizens to put themselves in harms way of breaking the law should they get stopped for transporting multiple animals across state lines with out a license.

You state that you are transporting dogs to other 'county' shelters in several areas of the US. This is exactly the practice that reared it's head in California. Making strays a commodity and illegal interstate transportation of animals.

Local city and county, and donation funds go into 'local' shelters to cover the expenses of taking care of the dogs IN THAT AREA. Shipping stray and unwanted dogs in from other states is wrong. Local citizens do not want to see their hard earned money from taxes and donations going for dogs that are NOT from their area.

Expand your adoption efforts locally. The strays came from your county and need to stay in that county within the system. You NEED to read the laws regarding transporting dogs across state lines if you intend to keep your 501 status. btw advertising on a forum your intentions is most likely not the best move either. Google all the cases of non-profits that have been convicted of interstate transportation of their dogs.
AZPops
Explorer
May 19, 2013
Deleted Post ...
happybooker1
Explorer
May 19, 2013
This sounds great & I would volunteer in a heartbeat but all my traveling is done in Texas.

One thought I had. Is it possible to use harnesses on the dogs instead of or in addition to collars? They couldn't back out of a harness at rest stops.
Bonefish
Explorer
May 15, 2013
I have transported dogs for a program called "Pet Peace of Mind" with the hospice I volunteer for. If a patient has a pet the family does not want we find homes. It also provides supplies and vet care for the patients pet until time comes to place. We also take the pet to the vet if no one can for the patient.

In Odessa, TX "A Ride To Freedom" transports dogs to new families. I have them on my facebook page and see many times they need to transport a dog. A pliot even takes some of them to new owners. It is really great work they do, many times they will rescue a dog from the animal shelter to find a home. The other thing this place will tag team as to how far one can travel with the dog.

With any dog your own or rescue needing to go to a home the kennel is used. The answer to your question is yes I would do it. I already have with hospice patient dogs & cats.

Sharon
xteacher
Explorer
May 14, 2013
I applaud your efforts, but I think transporting 5 dogs at a time is too many for the average pet owner, who probably already has at least one of their own. It might be more appealing if the number transported at a time is reduced to only 2. Five would be really overwhelming to most people, IMO, even if they're perfectly healthy and clean.
silvercorvette
Explorer
May 13, 2013
doxiemom11 wrote:
If we were in the Phoenix area, I would definitely take on 1 or 2 for transport, but would be overwhelmed with more. Also consider that many snowbirds and fulltimers take their time traveling, so what may normally be a 15 hour car trip can be a 10 day transport in a motorhome. Also finding rv parks to stop at along the way that will let you have more than 2 dogs could be a problem...

I have 2 dogs of my own so my limit would probably be one more. I would not mind sleeping at a rest stop or two if there was a problem with then camp ground rules. My concerns are how well my dogs would get along with the other dogs and how far off the interstate I will have to go
silvercorvette
Explorer
May 13, 2013
I am sending you a PM
doxiemom11
Explorer II
May 01, 2013
If we were in the Phoenix area, I would definitely take on 1 or 2 for transport, but would be overwhelmed with more. Also consider that many snowbirds and fulltimers take their time traveling, so what may normally be a 15 hour car trip can be a 10 day transport in a motorhome. Also finding rv parks to stop at along the way that will let you have more than 2 dogs could be a problem...
MarkP
Explorer
May 01, 2013
raindove wrote:

Mark, May I ask... is this HALO group taking up the slack from Castoff Cockers? If I remember correctly Diana was active in Maricopa County. When she passed I was told that the dogs would be placed and then the rescue disbanded. I think she was affiliated with that Dog is my CoPilot, too.

Edit: Code2High had some good points. An orientation for potential transporters would be excellent.... explaining how to handle the rescue dogs and precautions to take when exercising them. Also cleaning supplies, incontinence pads etc.... things to make clean up easier for the transporter. Just explaining rescue dog behaviors to transporters and what can happen -- being prepared can avert problems. Better than going in to it thinking the dogs are like any other household pet and being shocked when something happens.

The County has around 200 approved rescues that can pull animals from the public shelter. I know there is a Cocker rescue here, but not sure of those involved. HALO doesn't end up with as many purebreds because the purebred rescues will pull those dogs and adopt them, or put them in foster homes.

HALO is the safety net, we take everything left in the public shelter, that we have room for. Currently we have over 300 dogs and 100 cats awaiting adoption. I think we had nearly 600 adoptions in April!

The idea of having training/orientation for transporters is great! I will start working on that.
raindove
Explorer
May 01, 2013
MarkP wrote:
Raindove, Thanks for your comments, it sounds like you have had quite the experiences in the rescue community!

Currently we have a relationship with Dog Is My CoPilot and fly as many as 20 dogs at a time on a small private plane. This method is effective, but costly.

Thanks for not taking offense to my comments. Not trying to be a nay-sayer -- just trying to share some experiences.

Mark, May I ask... is this HALO group taking up the slack from Castoff Cockers? If I remember correctly Diana was active in Maricopa County. When she passed I was told that the dogs would be placed and then the rescue disbanded. I think she was affiliated with that Dog is my CoPilot, too.

Edit: Code2High had some good points. An orientation for potential transporters would be excellent.... explaining how to handle the rescue dogs and precautions to take when exercising them. Also cleaning supplies, incontinence pads etc.... things to make clean up easier for the transporter. Just explaining rescue dog behaviors to transporters and what can happen -- being prepared can avert problems. Better than going in to it thinking the dogs are like any other household pet and being shocked when something happens.