Transport Process and Overview
When a dog is listed for adoption up North, all inquiries are forwarded to one of our two New England Coordinators. They will respond to questions, and send an adoption application to potential adopters if they are not able to access it online via our New Beginnings Animal Rescue website. Typically, once the inquiry goes beyond the initial questions regarding the transport process/time frame itself the potential adopter will have the option to submit their application for review. Once the completed application is received we will reply to the potential adopter via email just to let them know that we have received their application, we will begin processing it and will be in touch very soon. Most applicants will ask for references from us and they are typically provided by putting them in touch with previous adopters. We usually will receive anywhere between 3-10 inquiries per day depending on the number of dogs listed at the time. Once an applicant has had dialogue with one of the N.E. Coordinators and the references and background check are complete we will then verify the applicants references (2 personal, and if applicable, a vet reference). If everything checks out with the references provided, the application and contact information will be forwarded to our local foster home for final review, correspondence and approval. Our fosters are strongly encouraged to either contact the potential adopter via email or by phone just to ensure there are no unanswered questions or concerns on either side. If the foster parent feels good about potential adopter we will advise the applicant via email that they are approved and ask them to choose a pickup location from the Got Orphans Transport website. At that point, the transport would be booked for the first available date that is convenient to the adopter. Transport picks up locally on Friday’s @ 12:15pm at the Cracker Barrell in Lakeland, TN or the West Memphis, AR location on Friday’s @ 11:15am. The transport will make deliver to the majority of their Northern drop-off destinations throughout the day on Saturday and then the upstate deliveries will arrive on Sunday. Again, here are direct links to the Got Orphans Transport Route 1 and Route 2 schedules.
We prefer to use Got Orphans Transport for several reasons, Got Orphans runs two routes but one of those routes is only run every other week. They use an RV not a trailer that is pulled behind a truck, this ensures that the puppies/dogs are within reach during the entire trip. We encourage our fosters and adopters to follow the journey through the Got Orphans Transport Facebook page. The one way transport fee with Got Orphans Transport is $140 and this is included in our adoption fee along with all routine vetting, spay/neuter surgery, age appropriate vaccinations and One full year paid microchip registration through Home Again.
After the adoption is approved and we move forward in arranging transport, one of our N.E. Coordinators will compose and send the contract to the adopter for completion. She informs them of the payment process and that adopters must make the payment prior to the day of transport via Paypal or by check.
All animals, prior to being transported, must be out of the shelter for a minimum of two weeks. This two week time period allows enough time for symptoms to show if an animal has been exposed to any diseases. With a transport of sixty or more dogs per week, there cannot be any exceptions to this rule.
Health Certificate: All dogs boarding the transport must have an interstate health certificate from a local licensed veterinarian. This is NOT the same as a copy of the dogs vaccination record. The interstate health certificate must be dated within ten days of the animal’s arrival date. Please make sure to have a copy for the transport drivers upon boarding, they are required by the USDA to keep these certificates for one year. You may place up to three animals on a health certificate, as long as they are going to the same person and destination.
Medical Records: A copy of all medical records is to travel with the dog. Dogs boarding the transport are required to have the following: ***DHPP vaccine (puppies MUST have a minimum of 2 vaccines prior to travel) ***Bordetella (or kennel cough) Vaccine ***Rabies vaccine in puppies over the age of 14-16 weeks ***Negative fecal to include ALL worms, coccidiosis and giardia ***Flea and tick free- please check all animals before boarding transport.
Age Requirements: The USDA requires that all puppies must be at least 8 weeks old to be transported but our puppies are typically not available for adoption until they are between 10-12 weeks old. Again, puppies should receive a minimum of TWO vaccinations before traveling. It's recommended the second vaccine is given a week prior to the transport date. Puppies, especially small ones, are most susceptible to disease and illness, and while we do everything within our power to provide a safe, clean, healthy environment, exposure to an illness via an animal that presents symptom free is always a possibility & legitimate concern. The older the puppy, and the more vaccinations he/she has received, the more protected they will be.
