by Joyce Brandon
Joyce is a part of Animal Compassion Team, an animal rescue in Fresno.
I ran into a friend and fellow rescuer at H.O.P.E. Animal Foundation in Fresno yesterday. Linda was busily unloading her transport van with lots of little crates full of a plethora of little dogs. She lined the hall with crates and waited patiently as the H.O.P.E. staff checked each little guy in. The dogs had several things in common: they were adorable, fantastic, and unadoptable in this valley and on their way to new homes in Oregon and Minnesota.
Crates lining the hall at H.O.P.E.
Linda Guthrie is president of Animal Rescue of Fresno (ARF) and for several years now she has been taking the long drive to Oregon to deliver our little valley specials–the Chihuahua mixes. Linda often spends her own resources to save these little cuties. More recently, ARF, ACT and a few other rescues have been working with Compassion Without Borders to fly 20-25 of our little valley Chihuahuas to Minnesota where families are eager to take them home.
Alison Barnes is a wonderful ACT (Animal Compassion Team) volunteer who takes a monthly trip to Sacramento to deliver Chihuahuas to the airport. A recent Face book post from Alison during her last drive: “This is my favorite kind of Friday night…29 Chihuahuas and me headed north!!” What would we ever do without her willingness to take that drive?
Thank God for options like these, but for every lucky Chihuahua able to obtain a ticket out….there are hundreds more losing their lives in valley shelters. Everywhere you look there are little Chihuahua mixes running loose and this is the direct result of irresponsible owners. This is a valley epidemic and we should be ashamed.
On their way to Sacramento airport
Getting these dogs ready for the transport is a lot of work. They have to be vaccinated, they need health certificates in order to fly and they need to be housed and cared for until the date of departure. You can help. Whether offering financial assistance, providing temporary housing, helping with vet runs, or airport transports ACT and ARF could use your help saving these wonderful little dogs.
Peanut-one of the many adoptable Chihuahua mixes available from ACT
While it is great having a hand in getting these dogs to safety, the problem at home remains the same: too many little dogs and not enough homes to be found. Please talk to your neighbors, invite a rescue to speak at your function, spread the word that changes need to be made. How about sponsoring a neighbor’s dog spaying? There are so many ways to make a difference. Won’t you please start today?
If you’d like to help with the small dog transports by donating funds or time please contact ACT or ARF and find out how.
Animal Compassion Team 559-299-6364 info@animalcompassionteam[dot]com
Animal Rescue of Fresno 559-225-5715 info@arf-fresno[dot]com
Check out more animal rescue stories in our Pet Perspective section. Advertise in KRL and 10% of your advertising fees can go to ACT.
Joyce, this once a month adventure is what keeps me going 🙂 it’s so fun to load my car with all those little yapping dogs just to get in the freeway and about 3 exits down the road they are all settled down and sleeping:) we get to te airport and the potty breaks start… All dogs get out to stretch their legs and get an opportunity to relieve themselves… They are all so cute and have their own personality… I feel homered that you quoted me in your article 🙂