Transports are a necessity in animal rescue. Can you imagine saving a life simply by getting in your car to visit your friends? You can! Animal transports take animals from one shelter or rescue and move them to another or best case scenario, straight to an adoptive family. Moving animals in such a fashion literally saves dogs and cats from euthanasia as many shelters have to euthanize due to space. In transporting animals you can help save them simply by driving safely.
In recent years there have been major strides mades in animal transportation to include such services as Pilots N Paws. Pilots N Paws is a 501(c)(3) that connects pilots willing to transport animals with those who need animals transported. Opening in 2008, Pilots N Paws uses discussion boards to connect rescues and pilots. There are no scheduled flights and pilots who have availability will contact the rescues and shelters directly. Pilots N Paws has transported thousands and thousands of dogs since their opening. If you would like to donate, volunteer or utilize the benefits of Pilots N Paws please contact them here.
The Ruffugees Foundation is starting its own group of transport volunteers in an effort to provide assistance to rescues and shelters in need. Our transport unit will be comprised of volunteers willing to donate their time, car and gas to help move animals. The requirement of the volunteers will be to respond when they have availability for a transport.
There will be two types of transports: extended transports and multi-leg transports. Extended transports are less stressful and safer for animals, which is ideal, however, the ideal choice is not always the realistic choice, so, there will also be multi-leg transports. Multi-leg transports operate in relay style where volunteers will each drive approximately 50 miles or so to meet the next leg of the run. Multi-legs will be used when there is a very extended run or when there are emergency situations where animals need to be moved immediately. All volunteers must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving and criminal history and a passion for animals. If you can help, please sign up here.
The Ruffugees Foundation is also looking for rescues and shelters to assist. If you are a rescue or shelter that needs to move animals from your location to another or have animals that you could intake, but you need them transported we are here to help you. Please submit a request here or send an e-mail to ruffugees@gmail.com.
For more information on animal transports with The Ruffugees Foundation please contact us.
See you on the wild side,
Danielle