My Rescue Transport Debut
On Thursday I was doing some repair work in the kennel at Pets Alive when Kerry, one of the directors walked in and handed me a list of dogs with photos from a kill shelter in the south. They call Pets Alive sometimes when they fill up with dogs – some of their workers try as hard as possible to get the dogs out so they don’t have to be euthanized. Kerry explained that the dogs on this list were out of time and their usual transport service was unavailable. They had priced out other transporters who wanted at least $100 per dog and there were at least 25 dogs in this transport, which was out of the budget. Would I consider driving a rental van about a thousand miles each way down and back? Oh, and there was a second stop – another meetup in a southern city 150 miles away. Time was of the essence – the dogs had to be spoken for by Friday and out by Sunday. I was a little surprised, to say the least, and I probably looked like I was waiting for a punchline – which I was, and it didn’t come. She was serious. I said I’d see what I could do and started making phone calls.
I quickly got a return phone call – two days off, no problem. (Thanks to my employers at Young Frankenstein and my very understanding boss, Simon!) My wonderful roommate, Jen, agreed to watch the dogs for a while, and I was ready to go. I dropped by the office before I left for the day and it was abuzz with activity – Matt, the other director, had secured a rental van at a discount from the local Enterprise, and arrangements were being secured for a hotel and to let the sending organizations know we were on the way.
We needed a second driver, because this was going to have to be quick. The plan was to drive down in a day, stay over at a local hotel, load up the dogs and get back to Pets Alive as quickly as possible. The van was going to be so packed that stopping for walking/feeding was going to be nearly impossible, so once we started rolling with dogs in the van we had to keep moving. Janet, the Pets Alive medical liaison/vet tech agreed to go as well. Janet was totally up for it and it was wonderful to have someone in the van with medical experience – you never know what you’ll come across with these dogs.
I went back home, packed a bag and turned up the next morning at the sanctuary. We picked up the van and loaded it with as many crates and kennels as we could possibly pack into it. We added some supplies, Janet’s med kit, a few tools, a GPS and off we went, rolling out of Pets Alive at 12:30pm. Driving down was pretty uneventful – a few gas stops and supply stops – and we arrived in a small southern city a thousand miles away at around 2am. We checked into the local Super 8 and got a few hours of sleep before we were in the van and rolling again at 8:15am.
I didn’t know what to expect at the small county shelter when we pulled up – especially whe
n the sign on the door read “Closed for Euthanizing”. The shelter is usually closed weekends and people were coming in just to meet us. I had envisioned a house of horrors, but the workers who came out to meet us were warm and seemed to actually care for their charges, addressing them by name and talking to them affectionately as they led them out to be loaded into the van. I guess I shouldn’t have been that surprised – they did call us so they would not have to kill the dogs, after all. One of the workers’ kids proudly told us about the five dogs they had at home, all rescues from the shelter. The people who work there seem to be stuck in a bad situation and they’re trying to save as many dogs as they can. I’m sure that working for the county and trying to change things can’t be easy.
As we began loading the van, a local guy pulled up… on horseback. Chuck had ridden 40 minutes on Princess for a equine medical clinic taking place across the street. Unfortunately, he had showed up on the wrong day. He had some questions about what we were doing and stuck around, occasionally helping us load up the van. The dogs were generally in good shape and the load went quickly.
We were nearly done when a car pulled into the parking lot, and a woman got out with a dog. A friend didn’t want the dog and so had given it to this woman to find something to do with. After huddling and making sure that no one would come looking for their lost pet, she signed a release and released an adorable, friendly, well-behaved little Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix over to us and we added her to the van load. We get lots of dogs from this particular shelter that are not very much in demand in their area but we can adopt out very quickly, especially small breeds, and this girl will fly out into a great new home.
All the dogs were loaded at this point, so there was only one thing left to do…
Chuck gave Janet a brief ride on Princess, and we were off to the next stop in a city about 150 miles away.
Our ride over was largely uneventful and the dogs were pretty well behaved. We had bought earplugs just in case, but we ended up not needing them. Periodically a dog would bark for a while, then they’d bark themselves out after a few minutes and everyone would settle back down. It’s a good thing they got along because some of them had to share crates in order for everyone to fit. The smell, on the other hand, was something else. Transport tends to be stressful for dogs, and stressed dogs tend to vomit… or poop… or pee… or all three. For the first hour, the smell was nauseating. After the second hour I was snacking on peanuts and drinking energy drinks. After that I didn’t even notice – even had an egg sandwich from a truck stop at around 3 in the morning.
For the second stop we were to meet two independent rescuers at a gas station. These folks identify and pull adoptable dogs from kill shelters and try to get them to better situations. They had some trouble along the way which delayed them, so we waited in the gas station parking lot and they got there around 2:30pm. We loaded up their dogs without incident including one not on our paperwork, a recent addition – a shy, affectionate lab mix and her very young puppies, covered in lice and ticks. Finally the truck was loaded. Before we could get home we needed to stop at a pet shop for some supplies, as one of the young pups wasn’t looking so good. We got what we needed and started off for home as Janet administered subcutaneous fluids using the van’s visor for an IV bottle hanger and fed the little puppy with an eyedropper. It was 4pm when we pulled out of the parking lot for home, with about 900 miles to go and 30 dogs loaded into the back of our full-size cargo van.
It was important that we get home as quickly as we could and stop as little as possible, so we combined our food/gas/dog check stops – they got ice cubes to chew on at the halfway point for hydration, and the puppies got a little food and the nursing mom a full meal. Things were pretty uneventful until somewhere around northern Virginia, where our blower failed and we lost the defroster. That wouldn’t be so bad except that it was pouring rain, as it had been since we left New York, and it was incredibly humid in the truck. We would wipe the windshield with paper towels and it would immediately begin to fog up again. After a few false stops (damnit, if you’re going to call yourself a truckstop, you have to be 24 hours!) and some scary near-blind driving, we pulled into a Flying J and bought anti-fog glass fluid and a DC fan to keep the air moving that we threw on the dash and pressed on.
I’d been driving most of the day with Janet taking over for a few short nap breaks, but around 3am I began to crash hard and Janet took the last leg of the trip. We finally pulled into Pets Alive on Sunday morning at 6:30am, having been driving since 8:15 the previous morning. 22 hours on the road that day, over a thousand miles driven in that time, 2 pickups in 2 different cities in 2 different states, and 30 dogs that would otherwise have been killed safe in NY. A group of staffers was there to help unload the truck, settle the new dogs in, and get them food and water. They will be in medical quarantine for two weeks where they will be observed and then they will be put up for adoption.
And that’s where I’ve been for the past few days.
If you support this sort of work, please consider making a donation to Pets Alive in ANY amount – even small amounts help. There is no way that adoption fees can ever cover an operation like this, especially because Pets Alive makes a commitment that ensures that animals that need medical care get all the care that they need, and every animal that is adopted out is spayed/neutered and microchipped. Your donation is fully tax deductible. I’m a volunteer, so none of your money goes to me! Please also support your local no kill shelter any way you can and if you’re thinking about getting a pet, go there!
“The bottom line is that as long as people believe that killing homeless pets is one of those necessary evils that can never be stopped, then it will never be stopped.”
-Michael Mountain
Please help us stop it today.
John…you are an amazing human being. Even though I barely know you, you have all my respect and adoration.
Wow, good job guys! I had a hard time packing my car for college years ago, I have NO IDEA how you fit 30 dogs in there!!!
Maybe your very nice boss, Simon, would let you put a box in the lobby of your show for donations to pets alive. (can’t hurt to ask, right?)
What an act of kindness demonstrated by John and all those involved and those which made the arrangements possible! If people volunteered as you have exemplified, your employer should be so proud of you and you deserve a badge of honor for your kindness & time. I have never met you but you have all my respect in the world. It makes me want to see you all do so well since you are all so deserving as a cause and an organization! I will do business with these “business supporters” you named without a doubt. Why? They gave from their heart.
Just think of all those you have just saved, that will remain part of you forever!
Getting boxes out among business’s who are animal friendly will help on such a great level. John, Catherine, Chuck for his help, and all those who helped and organized; my heart goes out to you as always and I am certain you can anticipate donations. I know this is trying mission!
And Kerry and Matt you are doing wonderful with your updates. The outreaching kindness of all for one goal is what is significant. Seeing such supporters makes more want to be part of your growth and help you through the “growing pains” and “disheartening times” expressed by Matt a while back! You have my heart and support in so many ways viewing this outreach of love and altruism.
All the lives saved, all I can say is; THANK YOU for your work to better & refine animal welfare for all. Too see how far you have come is such a small period of time is astonishing since it was not long ago you were “wobbling” being on your own.
My very best to each. Through sending e-mails to those who admire such kindness is gathering momentum since I have sent these updates and rescues to every animal person, family, and friend that I know! Such acts of gratefulness and giving causes other volunteers and donors to jump in and help! On all levels : )
You guys are awesome. Just amazing.
HI!!!! when becky told me a volunteer and Janet went down south… i KNEWWWWWWW it was you! who else would do this? what an experience. (and a smelly one)
been too busy with tax season to get up to PA but i will meet the pups NEXT weekend hopefully. (i need my fill)
by the way – saw pix of you rubbing cam’s belly in the play area. 🙂 how adorable!
god Bless you John.
sincerely, Cathy Pahl
I would like to say very very special thank you to John, Janet and Kerry. Although I was out of pocket they day they picked up dogs – 12 of those dogs came from me. It was a quick last minute decision and I had 24 hours to prepare – puppies we were trying to save but had no room for, were pulled from barns, and places where they stayed while we fed them and tried to vet them until a foster home came available for them…it was looking quite grim too when Kerry’s call came,saying an unexpected trip was anticipated.
We threw everything together – what paperwork there was and I made plans for two of my foster mom’s to drive the 3 hour trip to meet John and Janet, very thankful that these poor doomed babies would have their chance after all.
I could never express the depth of my gratitude to Kerry and Pet’s Alive in a manner that truly defines…I do not thank them for myself alone…I am not the one in danger (except to lose my sanity at the injustice of it all) but I thank them for the dogs and puppies that would die if they remained here.
Without a shelter of our own we will never have enough foster homes to save them all – many more die than are saved, but Kerry has allowed us to save more than would have been, by allowing our throw aways to have a place of safety to flee to.
So I thank you, Janet, John and Kerry, everyone at Pet’s Alive – not only from those of us at Circle Of Hope, but from the dogs of our county.
Phyllis
This is just wonderful news that Pets Alive are now doing their own transporting. I have let the transport business and wondered how all of the wonderful dogs were going to make it to Pets Alive. You are all so wonderful. Great Job. Deb D
How can i adopt one????????? I really want a small puppie, we have a very good home with lots of land. I am retired, and home all day. Please let me know.
In His Love
Maria
John, Janet, Kerry, anybody from Pets Alive who does this again, we are not too far off your route in South Jersey and unconditionally offer our home and selves to you for naps, showers, food, walking the puppers, whatever you may need (short of a blower fan. Your dedication and stamina are inspiring! Thanks!
I read your story and feel immense gratitude for the work
you do. Thank you for your devotion to the animals.
No need to thank me. Matt and I get the easy part. We get to see the dogs SAVED and going to good homes. It is the Janet and the Johns of the world that put their own comfort and free time on the line to go and save these dogs and it is the Lisa’s (who send me the mailing about all the dogs about to be put down) and the Phyllis’ that really are making such a difference.
Phyllis is just a private resident in Tennessee that tries to save the dogs she sees roaming all over the streets and the good young dogs about to be put down in local shelters. She gives her own time and money to save them and it is heartbreaking work, because she also looks into the eyes of the ones she can’t save. THAT, my friends is the hardest of all.
..and it is the Rose’s that volunteer their time and their money and our other donors and volunteers that give up their hard earned cash and their free time to come here and tell the dogs and cats that it’s going to be ok and that they’re safe now.
Thank you all for making this possible.
Don’t thank me and Matt though. We get the good side of this. It’s everyone else that deserves the hugs and thanks!
I can only say 2 words-
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Elaine
You guys are fantastic! Way to go, many cheers from us and no doubt from the dogs you saved as well. We can’t wait to visit Pets Alive.
Many hugs and thanks,
Kim & Liz
There is a special place in my heart for all of you wonderful people who go to extreme lenghts to save an animal. You are truly heros on this earth. Thank God for you all!!!!!
Lisa Padavan
Wow, nice to see your story on here about your trip to TN and to take our beautiful needy dogs! (I was one of the delayed rescuers, lol) It was great meeting you and Janet and I cannot wait to get to NY and see for myself your wonderful organization!
I am so sorry your trip had to be so eventful going back to NY!! God Bless.
Just wanted to thank John, Janet and all the wonderful, caring people at PetsAlive for rescueing me. My new owners think that I am pretty special. You guys named me “Sibley.” I am such a good puppy and I fit in really well with my new family. I get to sleep in bed every night with one of the kids, they fight over who gets me each night. I am house trained and follow simple commands. Most of all I love everyone and they love me. My new Vet gave me a clean bill of health, I just need to stay on antibiotics for one more week. My wounds are healing nicely. Since I am so special the Vet gave me July 4th as my birthday. Everyone treats me like a King. I love to play with the other dog in the family but he is still warming up to my bouncey behavior. I and truly a gift from God and all you folks at PetsAlive. Thanks again for saving me! Sincerly SIBLEY
HI folks,
Greetings from Tracy, California. I have a long chain of connections with the Humane Society of San Francisco and SE Idaho, where I grew up. I was forwarded the article about Matchbox 20 cancelling an appearance when they found out it was at a rodeo. They now have a new fan. As do YOU folks. My tears are still coming down to read of your love, respect and dedication to the welfare of God’s creatures. Man is the cruelest animal upon this earth. Why he finds pleasure in the abuse of the defenseless is something I will NEVER understand. Please know that YOU folks also have a new fan……in ME. I will bookmark your site and keep tabs on your adventures. I wish you the best and remember that every purr and every wag of a tail is a happy thank you. You folks are wonderful……..
John, Thank God for people like you.