Canine Underground Railroad – Rescue Transport Sites
Throughout the country, there are canine underground railroads at work transporting dogs (and cats) from one side of the country to another, often from shelters/rescue homes to forever homes. The groups come in as many flavors as dogs come in. Some specialize in specific breeds and others move whatever dog or cat needs a ride. Some are funded by the volunteers that transport the animals and others are more organized, providing more financial assistance for the volunteers.
The basic plan is a daisy-chain of volunteers who drive a “leg” of the dog or cat’s journey. Another volunteer picks the animal up from a pre-determined location — a parking lot, a gas station, a park, etc. — and takes over for their “leg.” This continues until they reach it’s new home, or maybe it’s new shelter.
Below is a partial list of transporters. More can also be found if you search here. There are many groups you can post your transport needs to or request to be a volunteer.
- AcmePet Transport
- Basenji Rescue & Transport
- Basenji Underground Railroad
- Biker Babe Transport
- California Rescue Railroad
- CatPurr Transport Board
- Chihuahua Rescue & Transport
- Dog Rescue Railroad
- DOTS (Dalmatian Overland Transport Service)
- Furkids Chihuahua and Toys
- Heart Bandits – Eskie Railroad
- I-10/I-20 Rescue and Transport
- IMOM Express
- Maine Coon Alliance Rescue Network (MCARN)
- Rescue Transport
- Truck-n-Paws
See also this post for more pet transport options
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I need help finding an abused dog a home
I’m not sure where you are located. Have you reached out to local rescue groups? Explain the situation and see if they can either help or give you some suggestions who can. Can you report this abuse to your humane society?
My friend already has my dog at his house. I need transportation from fort worth texas to or near Douglas wy. Any help is very much appreciated thank you
That’s great to hear that your dog is safe with your friend.
Two next steps: up-to-date on shots and transport. I am not a transporter nor do I have any special affiliations with them. You will need to contact some of them and explain your needs. They can teach you what you need to do and help you get this started. Beyond the ones listed on this post, you can find others on Facebook and by searching the internet. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help than that. But don’t give up. There are many people transporting many pets across the country every week. It’s just a matter of connecting with them. You might contact some of your local rescue groups to see if they have worked with any transporters.
Also, it is generally expected that pets will be up-to-date on their shots before transport. You should attend to this if it is necessary in your situation.
Good luck… and good on you for not leaving your dog behind in a bad situation.
I’m trying to find transportation for my pit mix my ex has stolen her a friend I know in Texas which is where she is now has been keeping me updated however I don’t have the money to go down and get her myself. My ex has no claim to her if anyone can help or knows who I need to talk to please help my ex has been kicking her and I can’t stand here waiting while my puppy is bringing mistreated I do have an address
I think you need to get your dog to safety first if she is being mistreated. Can your friend help you with that? You need transportation from where to where?
I need help getting a dog from Louisiana to Michigan. My daughter found a dog…it was starved…she took it to the vet…got it tested for heart worm and got it spayed…actually she has two….she cant keep them and is desperate…the shelters in the area are all full…but someone we know in Saginaw will take them and take care of them till a permanent home can be found…PLease can anyone help out??
There are several pet transport groups on yahoo groups. Search for pet transport. Reach out to them and they can probably help you. They transport hundreds of homeless pets every day. I think they can help you. And great job saving this baby! You are good people!
Hello,
I’m trying to get 7 dogs (pit bulls) from Georgia to Virginia this Saturday, April 13, 2013. Does anyone know of a transport coming through Georgia. 4 dogs are in Gainesville and 3 dogs are in Clayton County. Does anyone know of a transport that can help?
If yes, please contact Virginia Paws for Pits. Thank you.
I am available to provide transport in my area. I live in Melbourne, Florida (Brevard County).
Please check out the transport groups on Yahoo (link in blog post above) and let them know you are available. Sign up for their emails where they request transport to the various regions. These emails show the “legs” available. When one comes up in your area, sign up for it. And thank you!
//www.kpho.com/story/20036017/ycso-man-assaults-family-steals-their-truck-3-dogs If you can copy this link and read it tells a horrible story of stolen dogs. I am a friend of this family that had to go through this horrible ordeal. The dog that was rescued is in a county shelter in Triadelthia, W.Va which is in Ohio County. The family is looking for help getting this dog transported back to Arizona. The dog is a female Husky/ German Shepard mix. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Robin Hackler
Hi am looking for possible transport from Elizabeth town NC for a pet I want to adopt but I have been told they have nothing to the midwest I live in minnesota. But I am willing to meet in Iowa I just need transport to there if not to minnesota can any one help with this.
There are several pet transport groups that can help you or direct you to help. Many can be found on yahoo groups. Go to this link and “join” one or some of the groups and tell them your situation. They are very experienced and knowledgeable about transport.
Also, if you can give me a few more details, we can tweet it to see if anyone has more ideas.
Cindy,
I am looking for a transport from Denver, NC to Minneapolis, MN.
I’m hoping it will happen on or about next Tuesday.
We have put in a request with Lucky Dog Rescue Flights (//www.luckydogrescueflights.org)
Perhaps if we offered to meet them in Rockingham for pick-up (halfway between Denver and Elizabethtown, I think) they would consider taking both in one trip.
Is this an option you would consider?
Candi
I’m sorry, I am just the messenger. I don’t know the answer. It may depend on several things: if they can line up volunteers, if they have space, etc. Have you made that offer to Lucky Dog Rescue Flights? They can better answer your question.
Thank you Isak, I understand that.
I asked Cindy if she was interested in pursuing combining the trip since we both have dogs going basically from and to the same place. She would need to place her request with Lucky Dog Rescue Flights and then we could approach them our idea.
Thanks,
Candi
Got’cha! Good luck!
Hi looking for help getting a dog I adopted out years ago from San Antonio Tx to Tampa, FL. I ran a home based rescue for dogs in TX and moved to FL 2 years ago. A dog I adopted out ended up in Animal Control on Saturday. He is safe due to a great friend in TX who owns Green Dog Kennels, she pulled him and he is doing well. He needs to get back home to me in FL where he will the rest of his life with me.
Please help get IZZY home…
I emailed you a link to the yahoo groups for pet transport: //groups.yahoo.com/search?query=pet+transport
Hope this helps. So happy to know you had a friend that could pull this baby out of the shelter.
Hi I work for an Animal Control Agency in Oregon. I have a dog that I have an adopter for in Ohio, and I was wondering how I might go about getting help to get this dog transported?
Try some of these groups. They have all kinds of transport happening all the time and someone will be able to help you.
There is also a group called Pilots N’ Paws that flies cats and dogs, too.
Best to you!
Holly
ps… I would love to hear how things finally work out!
hi lisa im happy to hear you are helping out . just keep trying and you will succeed in doing what you love. keep up the good work! sincerely jill
I am trying to get a 2 year old, female border collie transported from West Plains, MO to Allentown, PA or the surrounding area. I have someone who can pull the dog and have her vetted and get a health cert issued. Does anyone know of a transport that might be able to help?
I am always available to help transport around the Wisconsin area
Hi,
I am trying to get three dogs out of a kill shelter in Charleston SC to either MT Airy, NC (over 300 miles away) or NJ. The dogs don’t have much time.
I need a Pembroke Welsh Corgi transported to New York to his forever home, he was a rescue and has been adopted. I just can’t drive that far on an income of Social Security.
There are several pet transport groups that can help you. Many can be found on yahoo groups. Go to this link and “join” one or some of the groups and tell them your situation. They are very experienced and knowledgeable about transport.
And best to you!