BEAUMONT, Texas — Beaumont Animal Care is less than 24 hours away from sending 80 dogs to new homes up north but they still need a little help to make it happen.
If you have an extra kennel to spare, the shelter may be able to use it for the trip, according to a Thursday morning Facebook post by the shelter.
The shelter has been sending animals all over the country to find them homes for the past five years, according to Viviana Lopez of Beaumont Animal Care.
Dogs have been sent to Utah, Louisiana and all over Texas, Lopez told 12News.
"Some get anxiety from traveling and moving. You know they're just not sure what's happening," said transport volunteer, Mike Villareal.
There are actually shortages of adoptable dogs in some areas of the country where the spay and neuter laws are much stricter than here in Texas, Lopez said.
Recently, they've been sending lots of dogs up north to Illinois. Friday's trip makes their third Illinois trip in less than six months, she said.
This trip, with 80 or more dogs, will be their largest, Lopez says.
All 80 of these dogs either already have a forever home or are set up with a foster home.
"All the animals that are going to Illinois tomorrow already have either adopters, or fosters lined up," said Lopez.
10 dogs were added to the list last minute on Monday, straining the shelter's resources.
"Which means we're a little short on kennels, but we don't want that to be what stops us from sending more out of state. So we're looking for every sized kennel small, medium, large, extra large. New, used, any of it will take it," Lopez said.
The shelter needs YOUR help. They need more kennels to facilitate the trip.
The request may seem last-minute but its because they just found more homes to make room for more dogs on this trip, Lopez told 12News.
"So the dogs are not euthanized here and driving them to Austin or Houston or Pearland, and knowing that they're going to another home is great," said Villareal.
You can donate a kennel or order one from their amazon wish list but the kennels don't have to be new.
If they're faded or scribbled on, it's no problem. They can be wire kennels or travel kennels.
As long as the kennel doesn't have any holes and the doors work and latch securely the shelter can make use of them.
Here's the number and sizes of the kennels needed for Friday's trip...
- 20, Small kennels
- 17, Medium kennels
- 9, Large kennels
- 2, XL kennels
They are planning on leaving Friday afternoon so they need kennels right away.
"And they need a comfortable blanket. And sometimes they give them little stuffed toys," Villareal said.
Kenny and Sara Reed are volunteers who are driving this group of pups. They told 12News the work is now their passion and they're grateful they're able to do this.
Beaumont Animal Care is grateful for their volunteers help.
"So we're really fortunate that we have so many rescue partners in Illinois that are willing to take some of our strays. States up north don't have the same issues we have with the stray population," Lopez told 12News.
You can call the shelter at (409) 838-3304 for more info.
Each time they make a big trip the shelter rents a large pickup capable of pulling a large trailer full of the kennels, Lopez said.
Volunteers donate their time to make the drive.
Anna's Angels Dog Rescue, of Lumberton, donates use of a large cargo trailer, which is equipped with an air conditioner to keep the pups comfortable during the ride.
The trailer is also equipped with cameras so the drivers can keep an eye on their passengers throughout the trip.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
