Can
I Catch a Ride? - Transport Bliss
If
you live in the state of Kentucky then you may or may not be aware of
the KY laws regarding animals. If you are aware, then you probably
are also frustrated at how few there are, the fact that many
important factors are overlooked...and you're probably even aware
that most of them are never or at least rarely enforced.
I'm
sure you also know that there are no ordinances for animals which
means you can pretty much do and have whatever you want...which leads
to things like puppy mills, an alarming amount of strays, and of
course overpopulation. What does overpopulation do? Well that leads
to high kill animal shelters...they are simply so overwhelmed in this
area that they do not have the room or resources to care for the
amount of animals they must take in day after day.
So,
if overpopulation is such a problem in this area then how is it that
several shelters in the area have extremely low euthanasia rates?
Well, thankfully there are shelter directors, volunteers, and rescues
in our area that help and do everything they can for animals..but at
the end of the day it still isn't enough.
Thankfully,
there are states with lots of animal laws and ordinances that help!
Some states have a law that you can only have 2 pets per household
and that both MUST be
SPAYED OR NEUTERED.
(In case you aren't
sure...spay/neuter is where said animal is “fixed” so that they
are unable to reproduce. We've mentioned this in other blogs and will
likely have a full blown spay/neuter blog coming up soon)What?!
In many cases I would be like “I don't need any form of government
telling me what to do” ---but this is actually a REALLY,
REALLY good thing! These states
don't have high kill shelters, they don't have hoarders, no puppy
mills, not thousands of strays living on the street. But how does
that help animals in KY??---A LOT
actually! There are wonderful people out there every single day
working with rescues in other states to help pull from the high kill
shelters here in Kentucky..fosters are set up, adoptions arrangements
are made (YES! Many
of these dogs have adopters waiting before they ever leave the
shelter!), vetting is handled...the whole process is really amazing
and a TRUE blessing to animals in our area. But as anything goes...it
takes a TEAM to
make it all happen. Do you like how big I made the word team?? There
is a reason for that!!
Steps
we take to find homes for the homeless...
STEP
1: So here is how it works...a
VOLUNTEER (that's
right..we don't get paid for this!) works with rescues to find room
for dogs in the high kill shelters here. I'm talking photos,
crossposting, phone calls, plea emails..you name it! The rescues find
fosters/adopters and then agree on what they can take at the time and
BAM the ball starts
rolling.
STEP
2: Then we must figure out how
to get dogs from point A to point B. Many times this includes hours
of travel for the animal involved. Often a wonderful VOLUNTEER
will then work on transport.
Often, there will be many LEGS to a transport. For example:
*8:00am
– animals leave shelter in Hazard, KY (just an example!)
*9:00am
– animals arrive in London, KY for second leg of transport
*10:00am
– animals arrive in Lexington, KY for third leg of transport
*11:20am
– animals arrive in Louisville, KY for fourth leg of transport
*Animals
are transported to rescue in Illinois
See
how that works? Everyone only drives around an hour and TADA
animals
are SAFE!
The
volunteer works to fill all the legs of transport long before the
plan is carried out.
Step
3: Transport
legs are filled! (This is a very hard task often). Transport takes
place.
That
Sounds Easy! I wouldn't mind doing that!
Transport
is soooo important and it only takes a small amount of your time! It
is an absolute blessing to helps these animals find their way to safe
and loving homes! I can't tell you how rewarding it is to do the
transport and then actually watch the rest of their journey through
posts on the rescues pages! LOVE IT!
So
how do I get started??
Easy!
You
can contact us at woofpacked@gmail.com
or visit our facebook page! You can also look up an amazing
organization called Mobile Mutts.org that does transports like this
regularly! And of course pay attention to other rescues &
shelters that will post asking for transport help.
What
do I need in order to transport?
Here
is a good list! I'm always remembering things when I do transports to
add to the list!
- A vehicle...haha..guess that one is a no brainer!
- Leashes so that you can transfer animals from difference vehicles. (Please be very careful here. Some dogs scare very easily and may try to run. Just be prepared!)
- Crates or pet carriers...some dogs aren't great car riders. And sometimes you'll transport puppies..and they tend to get a little car sick. It's a great idea to have a pet carrier with puppy pads or an old towel inside.(Often the shelter/rescue will help provide carriers if needed....and sometimes even gas money.)
- Extra towels/rags for clean up if necessary.
- Sanitary wipes
- Wear old clothes but also take an extra change of clothes with you (just trust me on this one!)
- A phone for communication purposes – make sure to have contact information for both people you are meeting! Choose drop off areas that are away from a main road, with plenty of room. You just never know when you may get a runner.
- Notebook to track your mileage (If transporting for a registered non profit 501c3 then every transport you make can be turned in on your taxes!)
- Make sure to do a headcount and that you have all animals that they told you would be there. Rescues/shelters should give you an exact number and should not stray for that. They should also NOT feed the animals prior to transport because of car sickness..
I'm
sure there is more that I am forgetting but you'll learn as you go
what extra you'll need to bring with you!
Today...Woof
Pack Educational League transported 15 puppies and two momma dogs to
the third leg of transport...we had a lot of fun and of course I even
got some puppy snuggles out of the deal!!
If
you have ANY questions about this or any other blog please contact us
by facebook or email us at woofpacked@gmail.com!
JOIN
US FOR SOME TRANSPORT FUN TODAY!!
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