Nominated by last week's guest blogger Barking From The Bayou!
Transporting Shelter Pets To New Lives
I've been volunteering at my county shelter for about 6 years. For the most part, I am an Adoption Counselor at the shelter and at special adoption events. I also foster and attend events to help educate the public about the free and low cost services the shelter offers to the community. Recently however, I had the opportunity to participate in a different kind of activity at the shelter.
Recently, the shelter has begun partnering with other shelters across the country on shelter Transport initiatives. This is where animals in one shelter can be transported to a shelter in another state/city to help increase the odds of being adopted into loving homes. For example, here in Phoenix we have a huge abundance of Chihuahuas and other small dogs. In some areas of Pennsylvania and Missouri however, they actually have a need for small adoptable dogs! They don't have enough small dogs for all the people in their community who want to adopt them - imagine that?!
Transport is a significant effort. The partnering shelter sends staff to our shelter to look at the dogs we have for adoption and select those they feel would be a good fit for potential adopters in their community. The dogs are then health assessed, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and prepared for their long journey. They are transported, mainly by bus, to the other shelter. It's a long trip for both the drivers and the dogs.
For a recent Transport, volunteers were asked to help out and I signed up. Our role was twofold:
> First, we had to get all the selected dogs out, one kennel at a time, to exercise them and let them burn off some energy before their long trip the next morning.
> Secondly, we functioned as "runners", bringing all the dogs from their kennels into the Veterinary area for vaccinations and health screening, and back again.
It was so interesting for me. I had never been inside the "Operating Suite", where they do all the spay/neuters, health assessments, and medical treatment. I hadn't worked with the Veterinarians or Vet Techs before either. The whole process went rapidly and ran like a well oiled machine. It was great to see everyone's cooperation and passion for these dogs and this process. I was happy to be helping out with an initiative that will save more lives, sending more dogs off to find loving homes! It was definitely something I'd like to help out with again.
There are some people who express concern about shelter Transport, questioning if bringing in dogs from other shelters might impact the ability of the existing shelter dogs to be adopted; in other words, bringing in more "competition" for existing dogs to find homes. It's an interesting question, I don't know enough to provide an answer. As shelter Transport gains popularity and more analysis on it's impact are done, we'll be able to better assess the impacts and effectiveness of shelter Transport.
What are your thoughts on shelter Transport? Do you think it's a good idea? Please leave us a comment, we always want to hear from you!
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| I took a selfie with one of the adorable Chihuahuas to be transported to the Humane Society in Missouri |
Recently, the shelter has begun partnering with other shelters across the country on shelter Transport initiatives. This is where animals in one shelter can be transported to a shelter in another state/city to help increase the odds of being adopted into loving homes. For example, here in Phoenix we have a huge abundance of Chihuahuas and other small dogs. In some areas of Pennsylvania and Missouri however, they actually have a need for small adoptable dogs! They don't have enough small dogs for all the people in their community who want to adopt them - imagine that?!
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| These little dogs are waiting their turn to be health assessed and vaccinated |
Transport is a significant effort. The partnering shelter sends staff to our shelter to look at the dogs we have for adoption and select those they feel would be a good fit for potential adopters in their community. The dogs are then health assessed, vaccinated, spayed/neutered, and prepared for their long journey. They are transported, mainly by bus, to the other shelter. It's a long trip for both the drivers and the dogs.
For a recent Transport, volunteers were asked to help out and I signed up. Our role was twofold:
> First, we had to get all the selected dogs out, one kennel at a time, to exercise them and let them burn off some energy before their long trip the next morning.
> Secondly, we functioned as "runners", bringing all the dogs from their kennels into the Veterinary area for vaccinations and health screening, and back again.
It was so interesting for me. I had never been inside the "Operating Suite", where they do all the spay/neuters, health assessments, and medical treatment. I hadn't worked with the Veterinarians or Vet Techs before either. The whole process went rapidly and ran like a well oiled machine. It was great to see everyone's cooperation and passion for these dogs and this process. I was happy to be helping out with an initiative that will save more lives, sending more dogs off to find loving homes! It was definitely something I'd like to help out with again.
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| More little dogs in the Transport group. The Doxie wearing the cone in front was so feisty! |
What are your thoughts on shelter Transport? Do you think it's a good idea? Please leave us a comment, we always want to hear from you!
Dogs Luv Us And We Luv Them!
Continuing to give something back on 'Share It Sunday'
We all share and we grow together.
Pop over and say hello and make a new friend.
We all share and we grow together.
Pop over and say hello and make a new friend.
From the author Molly The Wally
Love comes in so many different "packages!" God bless them all....
ReplyDeleteHailey had people as loving help bring her from Ohio to Ottawa. What a wonderful way to spend time.
ReplyDeleteI think transport is a great idea. I have seen Shelties I would like to rescue but they were too far away if there was transport maybe I'd have another furkid by now.
ReplyDeleteTransport can be a very good idea. I know of a few programs that transport animals from rescues in the South to shelters in the North where there are stricter spay/neuter laws and therefore, less animals in their shelters. It gives the transported animals a better chance at a forever home and frees up space at the shelters in the South so that we might be able to rescue more. Much love, The Scottie Mom.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that Molly. That type of transport is such a wonderful idea and surely will be a big help.
ReplyDeleteI'm not an expert. but it sounds like a good idea... and if it helps to find new homes for more pups, I like this idea. many thanks for sharing, Molly, have a super sunday :o)
ReplyDeleteeasy rider
Anything's worth trying if a dog gets a loving home out of it. I used to walk dogs at the rescue kennels near here but had to stop, I found it quite upsetting to be honest and wanted to take them home! Rescue centres are such stressful places for dogs - ours encourages fostering, I'm not sure how the dog must feel when he is returned to the kennels after two weeks, but it does ease kennel stress for them. Betty
ReplyDeleteThis is a Super one.... we love that the shelter is willing to transport to where homes are available.
ReplyDeletegreat post,thanks for sharing this one Molly,xx Speedy
ReplyDeletei am glad it increases the chances of some dogs to get adopted. yes, i think bigger dogs are harder to place, and sadly, many of them may not be adopted.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and loving 2 legger..we bet she gets tons of puppy kisses every day
ReplyDeleteHugs madi your bfff
Thank you for the work you do. There is no greater work than to unite dogs and loving owners
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of transport. Every adoptable critter deserves a chance for a loving home.
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
All we know is that ever'body deserves a furever home!
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Sounds like a good plan.
ReplyDeleteFor a number of years my Lee and her Half Pence were transporters. Yep we picked them up from another person and transported them down through Kentucky where another transporter picked them up. One we fell in love with and would have taken it if only it had a home at the other end. Most of our transports were going to their forever homes ~ we hope. Oh the one we wanted to keep was a thee legged Scot he was born without one of his back paws. I think he wanted us also. We always picked up and dropped off at Cracker Barrels restaurants along the interstate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a friend
Sweet William The Scot
Being from MO I am aware that our local shelters have primarily larger dogs. It is rare to find a doxie at the pound. I think this is a wonderful idea. molly thanks for sharing this withus.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful share it Sunday Molly!!!
ReplyDeleteSmileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Cheers for you and your rescue work. I know there are dogs in the shelters who are not very adoptable, my Stella was one, medium to large size, black fur, she had been there for three months. I'm glad I took her home. I know your Transport is going to make a big difference to lots of dogs.
ReplyDeleteJo, Stella and Zkhat, all three rescues!
I love the idea of transorting, especially if it could mean a home for a shelter pet.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, you are a hero!
ReplyDeleteI think its a great idea. It happens up here in Canada a fair bit. The shelters I have been involved with in Alberta and BC try hard to make sure that all the animals have a fair chance at being adopted and will transfer between shelters to ensure that. It can be tough on the volunteers as it is a huge amount of work.
ReplyDeleteKudos!
Nellie;s Mom
We think it is a terrific idea! My sister's golden was a Katrina dog...they had so many without homes after that disaster. Thank you for doing all you do for Rescue!
ReplyDeletei really love it, nice work Lost and found
ReplyDeleteGreat share it Sunday post! LOVE that blog, the author and her pets!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Interesting post. I am not sure how I feel about transport.
ReplyDeleteMolly, thank you so much for including me in one of your Sunday Shares, I am so honored! I loved reading all the comments too, thank you to everyone for such kind, thoughtful comments! A giant Thank You to M. K. Clinton of Barking From the Bayou for nominating me!
ReplyDeleteLove & Biscuits,
Cathy from Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
xoxo
We visited California; seems like all the dogs are either small or bulldogs.
ReplyDelete