Riding the information superhighway to a new home

Each weekend, American interstates and highways become an underground railroad for rescued pets.

They’re on "transports," in which volunteers take turns driving part of the way from point A to point B — usually from a shelter to an adoptive home. Sometimes those two points are many states and a few overnight stops away.

But before these lucky dogs (or cats) hit the road, they’ve already taken a ride on the information superhighway. They’ve probably been the subject of a blog or two, and they’ve most likely graced a message board or mailing list. They probably also have their own Web page at PetFinder.com or other rescue Web sites. (How many of us are this popular?)

In the face of today’s huge pet overpopulation problem, the more exposure a pet can get online, the better. And unlike Britney Spears, they don’t mind the attention.

Betty Dorsey of Knoxville, Tenn., said before the Internet, her rescue efforts to place adoptable dogs in new homes relied on word-of-mouth and local newspaper ads.

"It's definitely more efficient... you get so many more dogs adopted (online)," she said. "We've gotten calls from all over New England, as far west as California and even from overseas."

Of course, overseas transports would be pretty stressful on the animals, but it just goes to show the power of a cute picture and a short blurb on a Web page.

A springer spaniel named Freddie got Amelia Hudson of Baton Rouge interested in rescue in 1990 after she rescued the dog from a neglectful owner. That experience led her to other rescue work both for springers and other breeds. She now helps with transports whenever she can.

She credited the Internet with helping her improve her rescue operations, and since 2002 she has rescued 70 springers.

"I had difficulty finding what I considered to be acceptable adoptive families (for my dogs)," she said.

Then she got in contact with national group English Springer Rescue of America. ESRA had "stringent adoption standards" that included online applications, phone screenings, checks of veterinarian care histories and home visits. Now, instead of waiting for a local family, Hudson can network with people across the country that ensure that her dogs are going to good homes, no matter where they are.

And then the transports begin.

I found a transport list for Mia on Yahoo! group gulfcoast_rescue_n_transport. Mia is a 1-year-old pit bull that was taken off the streets in Houston. Because of her breed, authorities there threatened to put her down. But Mia’s finders wanted to get her back to their house near Tampa, Fla. They just needed a little help in doing that.

Because of traffic and other delays, Mia spent all day — from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. — on the road. But she is now in a safe, loving home. It's a wonderful feeling to know that just by driving her from Baton Rouge to Slidell, I made her new life possible. It took less than two hours of my time and about a half tank of gas.

This is low-committment animal rescue, but it is vital nonetheless. It's proof that anyone can get involved with some aspect of animal rescue, regardless of how little time or money is available.

Dorsey said that no matter what type of breed or pet, there's a rescue organization dedicated to it. And all of those organizations can be national with the help of the Internet. You can shop online with companies that donate a portion of their proceeds to rescue, you can donate money or supplies to shelters, you can transport animals or you can spend time volunteering at the local shelter. None of those things require you to take an animal into your home.

But if you do have that opportunity, search for a local shelter or rescue on PetFinder.com. They're always looking for people to foster dogs and cats before they are adopted.

So the next time you see a dog happily riding shotgun down the interstate, know that he or she could be riding to freedom and a new life. All they need are a few good volunteers.

Resources:
Dorsey's all-breed rescue can be found at www.grreatdogrescue.com
English Springer Rescue of American can be found at www.springerrescue.org.
Start your search at www.PetFinder.com or groups.yahoo.com.