Transport - A Commitment To Rescue

 

In simple terms, transportation can be thought of as taking something from one place to another, but the volunteers that transport Small Dog Rescue’s precious cargo know that it’s so much more than that. Dogs are connected with people at adoption events, which can lead to them finding a forever home, and the dog also may need transportation to that forever home. So until a teleporter is invented, the dogs rely on volunteers to physically take them places. Volunteers like Barb Stiles and Jennifer Schultz who have taken the dogs to local events, on longer trips out of state, and places in between.



According to Barb, a typical transport involves taking one to four dogs to adoption events. Dogs are also taken to potential adopters’ homes for a visit to assess compatibility. Dogs are also moved from shelters to foster homes which can involve multiple transfers from trucks, trailers, and/or cars.



Other things that are included in the transport process are the paperwork and vet records that must be exchanged, stops for potty breaks and allowing the dogs to stretch their legs for a bit, and also checking on the dogs. Dogs being transported are kept in kennel crates for their safety during the trip, so breaks made along the way are a necessity for their comfort, especially since many of the dogs are taken long distances to get where they need to be. Most dogs handle the trip well, typically taking a snooze for most of it, but once in a while some dogs, just like people, are sensitive to the movement of the car and may get a little uneasy. To make the trip a little more bearable, Jennifer has a special CD with music made specifically to calm the dogs down. “But on the trip, I couldn’t find that CD, so I ended up finding a light rock radio station, and that worked! It was an adventure!”



Transporting is an essential part of any committed rescue organization because it opens up opportunities for both dogs and adopters, increasing chances of finding homes where both the family and the dog live happily ever after.



If you would like to help with transports, you may be interested to know that SDR provides crates for the dogs during the transport. You can also deduct mileage on your taxes. If you'd like to help but can't drive, there may be a gas fund to help out those who are driving.

For more information or to let SDR know you can help, contact info@smalldogsminnesota.org.