Transporting

What is a transport?
Let's say a dog is in a kill shelter in Denver. A rescuer in Spokane can take him... if he can get there.

A volunteer called a transport coordinator sets up a transport date, usually on a weekend, breaks the trip into segments (called legs) and sends out a request for drivers. Legs may range from 50-200 miles. Drivers who are available respond to the coordinator. When all the legs are filled, the coordinator collects information (type of vehicle, cell phone numbers, etc...) from each driver, then sends out a final run sheet.

Think of a relay race.

On the morning of the transport, the first driver leaves Denver with the dog. He drives the dog to the first destination. This is the first leg.

Driver #1 hands the dog off to driver #2 who drives the dog to the next destination. Driver #2 drives the dog to the next destination and hands it off to driver #3. This happens over and over until the dog has made it from Denver to Spokane.

If the transport is too long to take place in one day, it must be split into two (usually Saturday and Sunday). In this case, the dog has to be overnighted, usually with one of the drivers.

Transports are voluntary so if you can't drive a particular transport, you are not obligated to. Volunteer only when you are available.

If you would like to become a transporter or overnighter, there are several ways to get started.

Let rescues and shelters in your area know you are available and join a Yahoo group.