Transpor(ng Rescued Animals Secrets to Delivering Our Best Friends to New Beginnings Cathi Eagan, CanINE Express Transport Project Candi Crawford, Best Friends Animal Society, Los Angeles Benefits of Transport Programs Develops strong partnerships that provide opportunifes to share best pracfces in sheltering Builds strong volunteer bases Increases live save rates (a.k.a. noses out ) for sending shelters and adopfons for receiving shelters October 25 28, 2012 1
Benefits of Transport Programs Promotes polifcal acfvism to build and grow city, county and state legislafon related to animal welfare Strengthens partnerships between municipal shelters and private organizafons Steps to Crea(ng a Transport Program 1. Create partnerships. 2. Determine the specifics. 3. Train staff and volunteers. 4. Prepare for transport. 5. Transport animals. 6. Deliver animals. 7. Follow up. October 25 28, 2012 2
Step 1: Create partnerships IdenFfy sending and receiving partners Dedicated website example: www.canineexpress.org Videos showcasing available dogs: hzp://youtu.be/4kybxu- djte IdenFfy community needs Verify receiving agency s standing Figure out funding Who is paying for what? Write contract between agencies Medical, behavior and return policy Step 2: Determine specifics Decide what animals will be selected Breed, size, age, etc. Define individual roles and responsibilifes Determine medical requirements ($70 $150 per dog) Spay/neuter, vaccinafons (DHPP, bordetella, rabies), heartworm tesfng/preventafve, dewormer, flea preventafve, fecal exam Health cerfficate (REQUIRED for most transports) October 25 28, 2012 3
Step 2: Determine specifics Vehicle and driver requirements Establish transport guidelines and protocols Check state companion animal transport laws Van rental or purchase, insurance, gasoline, road tolls TransportaFon needs and requirements Supplies: crates, bedding, zip Fes, bungee cords Hotel and food expenses for drivers Transport laundry Step 3: Train staff and volunteers Dog selecfon (based on criteria from receiving shelter) Verifying dogs availability and dogs history Medical requirements and check Required paperwork and receipts October 25 28, 2012 4
Step 3: Train staff and volunteers Animal handling and safety VerificaFon of idenfficafon and paperwork Placement of dogs in designated areas for holding ConfirmaFon of arrival and health RecruiFng volunteer support: very important Step 4: Prepare for transport Crate arrangement Food and water bowls Blankets and leashes Aircral requirements? Map and direcfons Pre- planned rest areas Volunteers to help at rest areas Emergency plan October 25 28, 2012 5
Prepare vehicles Step 5: Transport animals Don t give food on day of transport (excepfon: puppies) Exercise and socialize animals before transport: pozy break! Select and load dogs into appropriate crates Verify and log dogs ID and paperwork Complete final paperwork and receipts: Everything goes with driver Step 6: Deliver animals Keep receiving shelter posted on esfmated arrival Fme Do medical check Place dogs in designated areas October 25 28, 2012 6
Step 7: Follow up Confirm arrival and health of animals Do documentafon follow- up Maintain contact through adopfon Keep accurate records of transported dogs Evaluate progress Use happy beginnings for promofon Raise funds Making It Happen Local celebrifes Grants (Petco FoundaFon, ASPCA, community foundafons, etc.) Sponsors (individuals and corporate) Locate resources Social media (Facebook, TwiZer, etc.) Radio and TV Print media (shelter newspapers, church bullefns, email lists, etc.) Service clubs (Lions Club, Rotary Club, 4- H, etc.) October 25 28, 2012 7
Transporting Rescued Animals: Secrets to Delivering Our Best Making It Happen Grow project as needs develop SPOT program (Serving Pets Outreach Team) Cans for Canines Runway Dog Program and Badges for Bullies ResidenFal training program Indiana Companion Animal SterilizaFon Fund (Indiana House Bill 1331) L.A. foster program for moms and pups Designated medical funds History of CaNINE Express Transport Project How are these three beings connected? October 25 28, 2012 8
Transporting Rescued Animals: Secrets to Delivering Our Best Special Cases Keep the faith Monkey Ella Jada CanINE Express Transport Partners Program began in 2004: 8,115 lives saved! October 25 28, 2012 9
Best Friends L.A. Pup My Ride Program History Mission: Get dogs out of local shelters to rescues and communifes where there are waifng lists for dogs that would otherwise die in Los Angeles shelters Program started in 2008: 6,589 lives saved and counfng! Weekly transports Dozens of commized volunteers Best Friends L.A. Pup My Ride Program Full- Fme transporter Approximately 120,000 miles to date Averages 6,000 miles/month across 7 states in the western U.S. Transport partners: Oregon Humane Society Utah Humane Society Colorado Humane Society SeaZle Humane Society H.A.R.T. October 25 28, 2012 10
Final Thoughts Wonderful morale booster for all involved Hope for high- intake shelters Lots of work, but the results are extremely rewarding Makes a difference: saves lives! Ques(ons? October 25 28, 2012 11
Candi Crawford Best Friends Animal Society L.A. For More Informa(on Cathi L. Eagan CanINE Express Transport Project Phone: 818-643- 3832 Email: candic@bessriends.org Web: bessriends.org/la Phone: 812-720- 0005 Email: cleagan1950@gmail.com Web: canineexpress.org Thank you for helping to bring about a (me of No More Homeless Pets bessriends.org October 25 28, 2012 12