These dogs, and more, are getting assistance from ARF-Texas.
Dogs from a hoarding situation in South Central Texas will be making their “Guadalupe Getaway” next weekend when they hit the road for New York with five dedicated humans who are doing everything they can to improve life for these dogs and for all the companion animals in Guadalupe County, Texas.
After months of working with the situation that one of the women of Animal Rescue Foundation, a non-profit in my town, noticed while driving in the rural area of the county, 33 dogs of the dozens who are currently living at a house with no running water or electricity, will be leaving the South and heading for Yankee homes.
ARF has been working with the owner of the dozens of dogs and cats to encourage her to accept assistance with the animals. Some of the dogs have been placed around here and all of the cats (“Even the pregnant ones,” the founder of ARF told me), but our area has a huge overpopulation of dogs and cats and it’s not likely many of these dogs would be adopted.
Rather than give up on finding homes for these dogs, ARF came up with the idea of taking the healthy, adoptable ones North. By working with Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s local group in New York, and a lot of their friends, the dream of giving the dogs a second chance is coming closer to reality.
There’s a lot of work to do to get the dogs ready for the trip. A local veterinarian will be giving them a health check Monday and making sure they are all up-to-date on their vaccinations. ARF is asking for help from other local volunteers to collect bedding, collapsible crates, towels, collars and leashes.
Someone donated a motor home for the trip, but the Guadalupe Getaway won’t get underway until ARF buys tires for the vehicle.
The people of ARF are also asking for assistance from supporters who live along the route they will take from Guadalupe County, Texas to New York. Just five people will be traveling with approximately 33 dogs, so they would love to meet folks who can help walk the dogs on the rest stops along the way.
While rest stops aren’t set in stone yet, the route from Texas starts on I-10 through New Orleans. They’ll head north on I-59 through Mississippi and Alabama, passing through Birmingham, and on to Tennessee. They’ll pass through Chattanooga and Knoxville on I-81, which also takes them through Virgina and into Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania they’ll turn onto I-78 and pass through Harrisburg and Allentown and on into New Jersey before they reach New York.
Anybody who would like to connect with the Guadalupe Getaway dogs and the humans of ARF can leave a comment on this story, or if you want more information, contact my human at rbisha@sbcglobal.net, and she’ll connect you with the expedition. I’ll share info as it comes in on my own blog, Cheshire Kitten Loves Karma while the dogs are traveling.
Of course, an operation like this can use financial support as well. Anybody who would like to donate to make the Guadalupe Getaway possible for these dogs can donate online. ARF-Texas is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, and all donations are fully tax deductible.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hoping we can meet up w/the group when they make it to NJ. What wonderful volunteers to help re-home these pups!
A couple of updates …..
First, the Guadalupe Getaway will pull out of Texas a bit later than planned. June 23 is the new departure date.
Second, 35 dogs passed the health exam and will be heading North!
Here’s a follow up report on the re-homing of dogs rescued in this saga.
Many blessings emerge when animals, who were mistreated by humans, are rescued and adopted by caring people. What follows is only one small example … but it is our story …
August 18, 2012 in Seguin, TX. I met “Kenja” (formerly named “Lady”), a 1 to 2 year old red-heeler/sheperd mix at ARF’s dog adoption event. She slowly approached, sat down right in front of my feet and looked up at me with sad soulful eyes as if to say “PLEASE, be the ONE. Help me stay alive. Take me home.” She uncannily looked like my disability service dog who, after 13 years with me, passed away from stomach cancer in June. I was devastated when he died.
I fell in love with Kenja and knew she was going home with me for a second chance at a first-class life. It’s ironic but she became MY second chance to have and care for a wonderful dog, a faithful quadriped companion at my side always and forever.
After being rescued from her first home(?) she was fostered for about 2 months in her second home (in San Antonio) by an awesome woman named “Carolyn.”
I am her third home and here she shall stay for the rest of her life..
Blessings occurred for both a man and a dog that fateful day in August. My question here is: “Who Rescued Who?”
When anyone tells me they have a rescued dog, I always tell them “Thank you and bless you. You have done a wondrous thing.”
I extend my love, gratitude and support to Pam Burris, Barbara Upper and “Carolyn” for their dedication, determination and tireless efforts to rescue and place dogs in loving homes. I also give kudos to Seguin’s Animal Control department for doing a great, difficult job in spite of limited city resources and community support. Thank you all! God is good. So is dog.
Jacob thank you so much and Kenja is sooo lucky! I am just now finding this article or would have responded much earlier. I love to see you and her walking thru town and wave althou you don’t always see me! God bless you and Kenja and hope to see yall soon!