Would you help transport small rescued dogs?

Francesca Knowles wrote:

But for next year:

A low-tech blizzard of handouts in the Phoenix area begining in early spring might bring a surprising number of responses from folks willing to bring some pet pilgrims along when they go back home in the spring.

Exactly what I'm planning! This feedback is very helpful!

Sounds like a great idea- too bad you didn't start posting six months ago, when all the snowbirds were headed south. Now they've all gone north again!

But for next year:

A low-tech blizzard of handouts in the Phoenix area begining in early spring might bring a surprising number of responses from folks willing to bring some pet pilgrims along when they go back home in the spring.

Capstar... it's a good thing. That's what the greyhounds get before transport.

Also incontinence pads in human sizes. Crates will help a lot. Orienting each volunteer as far as learning to get the dog out of the crate while still secured in the vehicle, would be a good thing. There are many things people don't think of until they happen.

Volunteer transporters may not be perfect and there are always risks. On the other hand a needle in the hand of an animal control officer is guaranteed fatal.

As far as the contagion issue, I think that dogs should be held before transport and after leaving the shelter, for a week or two. Most things are going to surface by then if the dog has picked up a cold. I would not recommend that anyone with a medically fragile dog transport strange dogs, just in case.

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!

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 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.

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

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.