After arriving to Georgia, the Caravan will visit the Chattooga shelter in Summerville and entirely empty the facility of its unwanted animals. The media will be on hand. It will be a symbolic event of how things should be...animal shelters sitting empty because every animal has a home of its own. The message will be positive, focusing on the need for spaying and neutering as well as asking people to care for their animals as members of the family versus discarding animals as they might discard unwanted furniture or clothing.

Friday August 21 2009 @ 12:00 PM

We've all been in rescue long enough to know how difficult it can be to coordinate the rescue of just a handful of animals. Animal Rescue Flights in conjunction with Freedom Train Rescue Transports has successfully completed two large scale rescues this year. The first 'Great Escape' moved 30 dogs in one day out of the Anderson, SC, shelter and 'Great Escape II' moved 50 dogs in one day out of that same shelter. The M.O.M.S. Rescue was involved in the transport and placement of 120 animals during its 'Paws for a Cause' program. It will not be easy to entirely empty a shelter but with all the very experienced rescue groups involved, we have faith that it can be done.

The Chattooga shelter typically has a maximum of 40 animals in it on any given day. Preparations that will be completed prior to the Caravan's arrival include temperment testing, vetting, health certificates, and quarantine as necessary for puppies and other dogs identified by the Caravan's volunteer vets. The Georgia SPCA is overseeing all preparations related to the transport of these animals. David York of the Barking Hound Village has dedicated space, kennels, and staff for the one night stay of these Chattooga dogs and cats before they start their journey northward with the Caravan.

Additionally, each individual shelter animal must be accepted by a rescue group prior to the transport. To date, qualified rescues have committed to taking up to 200 shelter dogs and cats. Criteria to be a receiving rescue includes having an established and trusted relationship with at least one of the organizations providing leadership for the Caravan event. All participants are no-kill organizations.

We expect at least 100 dogs and cats to be saved due to the Caravan event in August (from Chattooga and other area shelters), although not all will return with the Caravan that weekend. We expect 30 - 60 to return with the Caravan that weekend. The others will be transported as they are ready by the Freedom Train and Animal Rescue Flights. All drivers have established, trusted relationships with at least one of the organizations providing leadership for the Caravan event, will be experienced with animals, and will receiver refresher training prior to the transport. The overnight on the return will be at a pet-friendly hotel and each Caravan dog will stay in the hotel room with its transporter. All dogs will be harnessed, with their rabies tag attached to their harness. Only adults will walk the dogs at rest stops.

All Caravan shelter animals will receive vetting, spaying/neutering and transport to their new rescue homes through the generous donations of the Barking Hound Village Foundation, the Georgia SPCA, and through individual donations of animal-lovers everywhere. Although we won't need it all, the Caravan has already received commitments for vaccinations for up to 500 shelter animals as well as free spaying and neutering for any animal being saved from the Atlanta metro area.

There will be approximately 15 children traveling with their families to Atlanta with the Caravan. These families are members of The M.O.M.S. rescue and the parents feel the trip will be a positive and educational experience for their children, an event that will hopefully help the children grow into caring, contributing adults. Obviously, great care will be employed to ensure both the animals and the children have safe and positive experiences during the emptying of the Chattooga shelter. Additionally, children will not be able to walk the dogs at any time as to ensure no dog gets loose.

For more information about the 'Georgia Puppy Caravan', please call Karen LaSasso
at 609-665-1224 or email her at kat12242003@yahoo.com.