Would you help transport small rescued dogs?
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...
Forum Discussion
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.
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.
