How to Transport Rescue Dogs to Owner

The handsome German shepherd dog sniffed at the air outside his temporary kennel. He had been rescued from a neglectful situation, and had recently been adopted by a loving new family. However, the dog was in foster care on the North Carolina coast, and his new parents were in Michigan. Clearly, it would take some logistics to transport the dog to his new life.

Things You'll Need

  • Papers and vaccination records for the dog
  • AKC breed rescue contact information (if purebred dog)
  • Operation Roger contact information
  • ARF contact information
  • Acme Pet Transport information
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Instructions

    • 1

      Reach out from both ends. See if the rescue group and adoptive family will each extend a "rescue chain" to transport the dog. This chain may include friends, family, and local rescue groups. Each driver will complete a link and hand off the dog to the next driver. The last driver will deliver the dog to his new family.

    • 2

      Call purebred rescue groups. If the dog is a purebred and recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the organization supplies contact information for breed specific rescue groups. Breeds are listed alphabetically on the AKC website, and contact names in many states are available.

    • 3

      Call out the truck drivers. Operation Roger is a registered non-profit organization composed of volunteer truck drivers. These truckers transport rescued pets on the drivers' regional and long haul trips across the country. The animals ride with the drivers and receive attention every step of the way.

    • 4

      Bring on the pilots. Animal Rescue Flights (ARF) is a non-profit network of volunteer pilots who fly rescued animals to their new homes. Depending on the capabilities of the airplane and the pilot, pilots may complete the entire trip or may link up with another pilot for the next leg. The pilots contribute their time and fuel, and there is never a charge to either party.

    • 5

      Log in to a "volunteer driver" network. Acme Pet Transport maintains an online network of volunteer drivers, caretakers, and rescue groups who may be willing to assist in transporting an animal to his new home. "Transport needed" postings are also accepted.