Volunteers for Transport and Rescue Articles

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Please use this section as reference only.

If you would like to volunteer "PM" PugPillow.
If you have any questions please feel free to start a new "Topic" under "Rescue Transport"

Thank you

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Posted by PugPillow on: Thu Sep 06, 2007 10:11 am    
 
I posted elsewhere about this but thought it only fair to add a thread in our new Transport section here.

I have recently taken over as Transport Coordinator for Pugalug Rescue and am compiling a list of volunteer drivers who would be called upon on an infrequent basis. The more drivers we have, the less frequent the requirements for any one person to have to drive.

People have been terrific in volunteering so far, but we could still use a lot more drivers, particularly north of Toronto. We are having to rely on other people's transport networks and I'd like to be as self-sufficient as possible ... and even reciprocate by driving some legs for them.

A typical drive would be about an hour one-way. Usually you pick the dog(s) up from one driver and drive them to the meeting spot for the next driver. In most cases, the dogs are crated. You get to meet a lot of terrific dogs and some really great people.

So, think about it. It's a great way to contribute and gives you a wonderful sense of accomplishment and feel-good-ness.

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Posted by PugPillow on: Sun Mar 09, 2008 10:37 pm    
 

PERMISSION TO CROSS POST TO RESPONSIBLE PERSONS.

There are rescuers in Ontario and Quebec that receive weekly calls from local pounds requesting assistance with dogs in need of rescue. Some of these pounds have high rates of euthanasia. Although these rescuers may not have available foster homes, they work with other rescuers to assist these dogs. Once available foster homes are secured, the dogs are pulled from the pounds and boarded until transportation can be arranged. The rescuers pulling the dogs often bear expenses but will not receive the adoption fee. These expenses will continue to escalate until transportation to the receiving rescuers has been arranged.

Other groups are located in rural areas below the poverty line. These rescuers pull adult dogs and litters of pups destined to lives on chains reproducing more. They cannot keep up with the demand so they work with other rescuers to secure foster homes outside the area. Similar to the rescue groups above, these groups absorb the cost of care, transportation, vaccinations, de-worming and vet checks but will not receive the adoption fee. They hold the dogs/pups until transport can be arranged.

In both scenarios above, expenses accumulate while dogs wait to be transported. Mounting costs, limited boarding space and lack of rescue and driver resources may hinder these groups in the rescue process. While transport requests do not specifically indicate that dogs “will be euthanized” if transportation cannot be filled, it is truly a possibility. If these groups cannot move the dogs that are waiting to travel, they cannot rescue more that are waiting in the pounds. Reality is that many Pounds and Humane Societies will euthanize due to space issues. All rescuers depend on drivers to transport dogs to safety. Drivers are an invaluable resource to the entire rescue process. Without them, dogs in our own back yards will be euthanized.

Transports are becoming increasingly difficult to fill. Week after week, the same drivers from Windsor through to Ottawa & Montreal transport dogs to safety. Transports are very time consuming and expensive and as a result, we are truly taxing our current driver resources. We desperately require additional drivers to donate their time and gas in order to continue the process of saving lives. If you know of anyone willing to become a volunteer driver, please ask them to e-mail me as soon as possible at www.northbayhumanesociety.ca

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The Underground Railroad Needs Your Help

Every Saturday, people like you and me get into their vehicles and drive to a predetermined meeting spot, usually a commuter parking lot near the 401 or the parking lot of a fast food restaurant, where they meet someone who has driven an hour to meet them. Both drivers get out of their vehicles, shake hands and share a few brief words. Then they open their back doors or gates and exchange cargo - cargo more valuable than diamonds or gold or drugs. The cargo is rescued dogs. The drivers again shake hands or perhaps hug and the new driver goes on their way to meet another driver in another predetermined meeting place an hour or so down the highway where the scene is repeated. The driver turns around and goes home to get on with the rest of their daily routine. This scene is repeated week in, week out throughout the year, westbound from Ottawa or Montreal or Kingston or Belleville to Toronto or Cambridge or Barrie or London and eastbound in reverse. Most Saturdays, multiple transports are taking place and sometimes on Sundays or through the week.

The volunteer drivers are part of the rescue chain which helps dogs who have been rescued from abusive situations and puppy mills or who have narrowly escaped euthanasia in a shelter. The dogs come from humane societies, temporary foster homes and pet sanctuaries and are headed to foster or adoptive homes where they will get love and medical care to help them start a new and better life.

The unfortunate fact is that the number of dogs needing transport has increased and the number of transporters has not increased commensurately, in part because people are not aware of the need and in part because increased gas prices discourage people from putting extra miles on their vehicle. When transporters are not available, the dogs cannot be rescued and some are doomed to die or languish in shelters.

What I’m asking is that you donate a couple of hours out of your weekend (usually Saturday) to help us help these dogs. You will not be paid for your time nor your gas as rescue organizations are always strapped for funds, but the non-monetary rewards are immeasurable. When the previous driver hands over to you a frightened little pup or a dog who has spent all his or her life in a breeding cage and you look into their eyes and see fear and maybe a glimmer of hope, your heart will melt and you will know you have made a difference in this world. Won’t you give yourself an opportunity to have this experience?

If you would like to help, please email me, Hilary, at pugpillow@gmail.com and we can discuss it. If you would like to try it but not commit to do it regularly, that’s okay. If you would like to come along with me to see what’s involved first, that can be arranged too. Please help us help those who cannot help themselves.

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Posted by PugPillow on: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:23 pm    
 
You will have noticed that every weekend and occasionally during the week there are requests for transports. Usually these involve breeds other than pugs. I have been given permission to post these requests here and have been thrilled by the wonderful and generous responses of "pug people" who fill these requests, usually without any thought of recognition and certainly without financial compensation. Some of these people have actually joined a group called Rescuing Dogs in Canada which posts these requests, along with requests for such things as home visit assistance, etc. Others have been put on Cheryl's mailing lists so they get the notifications directly.

There are two reasons we post for help on this board. The first is that all these dogs, whether pugs or not, need our help in being transported to their foster or forever homes. Sadly, there are not enough people aware of the need, or able or willing to help out. Most rescue organizations don't have sufficient geographic representation to cover transporting all over the place and so ask for outside assistance. We have done the same for our pugs on many occasions. After all, we're all about helping dogs in need, aren't we?

The second reason is more political. Through the initiative of Pugalug volunteers and forum members, we are building goodwill in the rescue community. The rescue world is very small and well-connected and reputation is paramount as people are entrusting us with their beloved animals. Pugalug has been operating as a rescue organization only a little over 2 years (although we were a social club before that) and little by little we have established our presence and credibility. Filling transport requests is a major part of how we and our professionalism become known.

I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who has helped out with transport in the past year and wish you a wonderful holiday season and a healthy, happy, prosperous and meaningful 2008. You are the best!
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Posted by PugPillow on: Tue Apr 08, 2008 6:40 pm    
 

christinelbell wrote:
Hillary....How do I join the Rescuing Dogs in Canada group?


To Subscribe, send an email to:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Resc ... =320538552

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Posted by fourwetnoses on: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:18 pm    
 

I just did a bit of a difficult transfer and it reminded me of a few simple things that if you're just starting out transporting you should know:

1. Bring treats. Different kinds - make sure they are YUMMY treats and bring LOTS. They can do wonders to help a scared dog or worse yet a dog that pulls out of the leash.

2. Bring extra comforters/blankets/towels. Not just to protect your car, but I've had dogs vomit & had to change the linens mid trip, or even to use to cover the head of a scared dog during a transfer.

3. Bring extra leads for the size dog you are transporting. Many uses for an extra sturdy leash.

4. Bring an empty bowl & a bottle of water. Never take anything for granted & you might get stuck on the road due to an accident where there isn't always a rest stop 5 min ahead.

5. Fill the car up with gas, windshield washer fluid, oil, etc. Same as #4 - you never know what could happen.

6. Don't forget a bottle of water for yourself & even a granola bar stuffed in your purse can do wonders if you're on the highway for hours.

7. Make sure your cell phone is fully charged.

8. Plastic bags for accidents or poop 'n scoop during rest breaks.

9. Cash. Applies more to the rural routes but I have been caught in situations where debit just isn't available no matter how much you want that coffee.

10. Map book/back up plan. There have been a couple of times where transports have come to a halt because of road conditions. Make sure you can find an alternate route or know of somewhere you and the dog can stay should you get stuck.

Some of these may seem like common sense & some may seem pretty far fetched but it always helps to prepare for the worst & hope for the best. In my limited time transporting I have run into many of these scenarios personally, some more than once.
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 Posted by PuPillow on: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:41 pm    
 

Great tips. Can I add paper towels for cleanups and plastic bags for poop and scoops?
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Posted by PugPillow on: Sun Feb 03, 2008 12:40 am    
 

Today a beagle-basset cross I was transporting opened the crate door and got his head out. Fortunately the crate was wedged against the back door of my SUV so he couldn't get free and distract the other dogs or my driving (too much). But I as worried he would hurt himself. So to add to the list: make sure the crate door is doubly secured!