12 May What is a Transport, and Why Is It a Game Changer?
A “transport” is what happens when a rescue organization in one community that’s overrun with homeless dogs or cats takes a group of these animals, loads them up in a big vehicle, and drives them to another rescue organization, usually in a different part of the country where those animals are in high demand for adoption. Through the wonderful folks at Best Friends Animal Society, we at SHAC have been very fortunate to partner with some highly reputable organizations in the northeast who have a large demand for cats and kittens. During the last six weeks, we have been able to save the lives of 20 cats and kittens by getting them off the streets, getting them healthy, and into forever homes all across New York State and Boston, Massachusetts. They’re even pre-adopted by their new families before they leave Foley, Alabama!
Why do we need your help? Before animals can be advertised for “pre-adoption,” they must have all required tests and vaccines and be deemed healthy for travel. We also have to make sure they don’t have any underlying condition(s) that may surface while on the transport. This means we need fosters — people who can temporarily home a cat, or a few kittens, for two to three weeks — to help us make sure those animals are ready to get on that van!
Right now our transports are limited to cats and kittens once or twice a month, and we plan to expand to dogs and puppies as soon as we can. But it all takes work! And not just fostering — we also need people who can be hands-on the week of the transport helping with data entry, taking photos, verifying medical records, and much more.
If you’re thinking about getting involved, please contact us to learn more about our lifesaving work and how we’re trying to make our communities safer and better for everyone. Or, email us directly at info @ safeharborac.org.