Transportation Procedures and Agreement

Overview

Transporting dogs is a very rewarding experience however to keep everyone safe there are protocols in place.

These protocols are prescribed to prevent accidents involving transport vehicles, the spread of diseases, and minimize stress on animals. The protocols need to be followed by all people transporting dogs on behalf of Speaking of Dogs Rescue.

The Speaking of Dogs Rescue (SODR) transport coordinator is also a volunteer, just like you.  The coordinator will make you aware, to the best of their ability, of any particular risks involved in transporting the dogs, but SODR assumes that you are aware of the inherent risk involved in handling dogs who are often frightened and sometimes poorly socialized, and that you assume the risk associated with your voluntary participation.  In the event of incident or accident during transport, you agree to hold harmless the transport coordinator, the SODR and any of the other parties involved.

Transport Kit

Here is what the kit should consist of:

  • Slip leads
  • Leashes (have at least 2 to be on the safe side)
  • Collars (different sizes, martingale or ones with metal clasps/buckles) Note: pinch and choke collars are NOT permitted
  • Paper towels
  • Baby wipes & disinfectant wipes
  • Spray bottles with Virkon disinfectant
  • Plastic or poop bags
  • Insulated water jug
  • Water bowls
  • Zip ties and duct tape
  • Bungee cords
  • Scissors
  • Plastic bags
  • Pee pads, old towels, blankets, sheets (to cover your seats, crates or other areas in your vehicle)
  • Treats (dried liver or chicken)
  • Garbage Bags

Procedure – Getting Started

  • Other adult passengers are welcome to join the transport, but please no children under the age of 12.
  • SODR does NOT recommend bringing your own pets along on the transport. If you do decide to bring your own pets, they should be fully vaccinated and be on flea and tick preventative medication. NOTE:  Dogs you are picking up may not be healthy and may be carrying kennel cough, parvo, fleas, and/or ringworm, as examples (all of which can be transmitted to your pet).  Also, dogs being picked up could be fearful, reactive, or stressed.  An incident could occur causing injury to one, or both dogs.  SODR cannot be held liable or responsible for any illness or injury to your dog.
  • All drivers must provide their own slip leads and leashes (for which the driver will be reimbursed by the rescue),
  • All pets must be crated or tethered safely. If multiple dogs are being transported, only one dog may be tethered, provided that all others are crated.
  • Ideally there should only be one dog in each crate to facilitate safe removal between drivers.
  • If dogs are crated, cover each crate with a sheet/blanket, etc. to prevent the disbursement of feces or urine or other bodily fluids. Using cardboard in between crates is also recommended. Crazy carpets work well as they can be disinfected and reused.
  • Crates should be disinfected prior to and after each transport and be in good condition with no broken parts. If stacking crates is required, ensure that there is something to prevent “spillage” from the crates on top and that they are properly secured so they don’t move around.
  • Animals must be able to stand up and turn around in the crate.
  • If the transport coordinator indicates that the dog MUST be crated then tethering is not an option. This is usually the case for puppies, high flight risk dogs and puppy mill dogs. If the driver does not have a suitable crate, the transport coordinator must be notified so that arrangements can be made to borrow a crate or to find a substitute driver.

Procedure – On The Way

  • The information included in the transport run sheet is confidential and is not to be shared. This includes, but not limited to, the details of the rescue situations and all information about any of the parties involved.
  • Do not feed the dog you are transporting. They could have allergies, become car sick, need to be fasted for a vet appointment or trigger guarding. There may be required feedings for very young puppies, depending on the duration of the transport.
  • Water should be provided during transport every 4 hours.
  • No dog should be transported in a front seat of a vehicle, unless in a small crate that is properly secured in place. Nor should they be transported on someone’s lap.  This is for safety reasons to avoid an incident with the driver during transport.
  • All drivers are responsible to alert the transport coordinator if weather conditions for your leg of transport are too dangerous to drive. The safety of all drivers and animals is imperative.
  • If the transport volunteer is not able to complete the designated leg of transport for any reason, please notify the transport coordinator immediately so that alternate arrangements can be made.
  • Stopping to potty animals, other than at the meeting locations provided in the run sheet, is prohibited. Extra stops cause undue stress as well as an increased possibility of an animal escaping during transport.
  • Drivers are to double leash all dogs while transferring them to and from vehicles and during potty/rest breaks to avoid loss during transport. Double leashing means that a leash is attached to the dog’s collar and a slip lead is looped over the dog’s head. If the driver does not have a slip lead, they are required to purchase one.
  • If a dog is deemed to be a high flight risk (i.e., puppy mill survivor) and is traveling in a provided crate, drivers must transfer the dog, in its crate, from vehicle to vehicle without potty/rest breaks to avoid loss during transport.
  • If you need to open a crate for any reason, make sure all doors and windows in your car are closed so the dog does not escape.
  • Vehicles must be sufficiently climate controlled for the comfort of the animals. All windows must be closed and locked to prevent escape during transport. (If fresh air is needed, windows can be rolled down no more than 4 inches.)
  • Remember to check any tethered dog before opening the door to make sure the dog has not chewed through the lead on route.
  • If a dog escapes during transport, the transport coordinator must be notified immediately.
  • For unvaccinated puppies, the transport coordinator will include a clause in the run sheet referred to as the “no paws on the ground” rule.
  • Report any concerning/noteworthy medical or behaviour observations to the transport coordinator.
  • If a driver is bitten by a dog during transport, the transport coordinator must be notified immediately, and the transport paused until further notification. You will be notified on next steps depending on the level of the bite.
  • All paperwork must be handed off to the receiving person and stay with the dog until his/her final destination.
  • Anyone who volunteers to help transport dogs will adhere to the criteria SODR has provided to ensure the health and welfare of the passengers, drivers, and their vehicles.

Additional information on sound transport advice:  https://redrover.org/safe-transport…

Agreement

By participating in Speaking of Dogs Rescue transports, you agree to adhere to the following:

  • To keep the details about these rescue situations and all information about any of the parties involved confidential.
  • You are 19 year of age or older, have a valid driver’s licence and are insured.
  • If you are not using a crate for transport, the dog must be tethered inside your vehicle, the windows closed and locked and with functioning heating/cooling.  This is to avoid the possibility of escape and/or injury.  Remember to check the tethered dog before opening the door to make sure the dog has not chewed through the lead on route.
  • The dog must not have access to the driver for safety reasons.  If there are multiple dogs travelling in your vehicle, only one dog may be tethered. All others must be crated.
  • All paperwork must be handed off to the receiving person and stay with the dog until his/her final destination.
  • A martingale or slip lead should be used rather than a regular buckle/snap type collar that the dog could back out of.
  • To report any concerning/noteworthy medical or behaviour observations to the transport coordinator.