The following will help you prepare for your transport. These are a few things to remember when volunteering to drive:
*Safety begins before you even put the dog in your car. Check the collar to make sure it fits. You should be able to fit no more than two fingers under the collar when it is against the dog's neck. It's a good idea to carry extra collars in varying sizes with you in the event that you take on a passenger who has an ill-fitting collar. This is especially true with dogs that are sent directly from shelters. Funding is low at most shelters so they do the best they can in supplying any collar and leash. Extra leashes and a couple of choke chains or slip leads should be part of your "Transport Toolkit" as well. Pay careful attention to those breeds or mixes whose necks are bigger than their heads: Pit Bulls, Bull Dogs, etc. They can easily back out of a poorly fitted collar.
*For the safety of both driver and passenger, the dog should be secured at all times. Like a child, your passenger should not have free reign of the inside of your vehicle while it is in motion. Tethering or crating are mandatory. There should be no time when the dog is not crated or attached to either the vehicle or a human. Before opening doors or windows, double check that the leash hasn't been chewed through and that it is still attached to the dogs collar. There is nothing more heartbreaking than having a dog, stressed and scared due to his new surroundings, bolt from the car and be either unable or unwilling to answer to his/her call name.
*We ask that you hold the feeding and treats to a minimum on transport. Some dogs will get car sick - maybe not in your car or on your leg of the run - but perhaps on a leg or two down the road. A small palm full of kibble or a small treat is fine. In fact, some of the smaller breeds (like Papillons) require some nourishment along the way to keep their blood sugar levels in line. Please ask the driver that you are picking up from if the dog has had any snacks. If so, please don't give them any on your leg of the run and indicate to the driver that you are handing off to that they ate on the prior leg of the run.
*Please make water available at each stop. They may not drink it (they are usually too busy checking out the area), but offer it anyway. When they're thirsty, they'll drink. I find if I offer the water after I have them loaded in my vehicle, they tend to drink. They are less distracted once inside the vehicle.
*Please do not offer the dogs any rawhide or other "chewie" type items or stuffed animals as they may be a choking hazard. We don't want you flying down the highway with a hacking dog in the back seat! Hard rubber items such as Kongs are fine and can be sanitized for use with your next passenger.
*We know that traveling solo is no fun, however, we kindly ask that you do not bring along your own dogs on transport. Transportees are stressed out enough with the changing environments and meeting of new people. So, for the safety and comfort of dogs and drivers alike, please leave your baby at home. Now, having said this, if you simply can not volunteer without your buddy riding shotgun, please alert your coordinator to this so that they can make the call on whether or not to sign you up for the run.
*Keep cellphones charged, on, and with you during transport. Please stay in touch with each other and your coordinator. If you are running late or have hit sluggish traffic or bad weather, put a call into the driver you are to meet up with and to your coordinator. Communication is key in a successful transport!
