I get asked a LOT of questions about transports! Maybe you’ve always wanted to know…

Q:  Do I get paid for this?
A:  No, definitely not. Rescues don’t have money to pay me for this service. It’s about saving the animals, and as much as I’d like to get paid to do this rather than my regular 9-to-5, that’s not realistic.

Q:  Where do I find drivers?
A:  Everywhere! I’ve been doing this for 3 years, so I have a database of about 1800 contacts all across the country. If I’m doing a transport through a new area, I go to http://groups.yahoo.com and start trolling their rescue & transport groups for drivers in the area. I belong to about 300 groups, most of which are focused on a specific region of the country or a specific interstate, or maybe a specific breed of dog. Worst case scenario, I’ll post to Craig’s List in the area where I need a driver and hope that a new driver is borne. Some transport coordinators work closely together and are willing to share contacts and resources as well, and I get a lot of drivers from them too.

Q:  Will I transport any dog for anybody?
A:   No. All receivers are subject to screening prior to my agreeing to send them a dog.

Q:  What does it take to be a driver?
A:   A reliable car, a valid driver’s license, being on-time, and comfort with the care & handling of dogs. It also helps if you are flexible and think fast on your feet, as sometimes things happen during transports that require us to make quick decisions and last-minute changes.

Q:  How do I coordinate transports from GA to WI if I live in CA?
A:   You don’t need to be located in the area you’re transporting. I do everything via Google maps (http://maps.google.com), Yahoo groups, emails and phone calls. The only drawback is that my phone starts ringing at 4 AM on Saturdays. But the transport is usually done by 7 or 8 PM my time, so it balances out.

Q:  Is gas money available for drivers?
A:   Not usually. The rescues are spending their money on the pull fees and fully vetting the dogs prior to adoption. While there are some coordinators who offer gas money out of their own pockets, I can not afford to do that. I also do not collect money to be used for a gas fund because my transport coordinating services are not done through a corporation, it’s just me sitting here at my computer at home.

Keep in mind though, that mileage on transports is considered a donation for the purposes of filing your taxes each year. As long as one party is a 501c3 OR the sender is a municipal shelter, you can claim your mileage for charity. Keep track of your mileage AND the groups for whom you’re driving, then consult your tax professional.

Q:  What vehicle do we use?
A:   Your own.  This is why I ask how many dogs a driver can accommodate and I make sure everyone knows to bring something to protect the inside of their vehicles.