Tips and Tricks

Preparing for Transport

Here are some great tips to prepare for a transport. The first section includes required, handy, or useful items to bring.

Wipes

Just in case things get a bit messy. Wipes also come in dog friendly versions.

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Slip Leads

Slip leads, also called slip leashes, are a must have item for transports. These prevent dogs from backing out of collars and leashes. It is very scary when a dog is lost on transport.
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Martingale Collars

Always be prepared for the unexpected. For example, a shelter that doesn't have collars for the dog to leave or the owner surrender who won't give the dog the gift of their own collar. Martingale collars are recommended as they are secure and are difficult for the dog to back out of when fitted properly.
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Water

Most relay transports are long and your temporary canine friend will surely be thirsty.
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Poop Bags

Please be considerate of others and scoop when there is poop!
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Water Bowl

Although it is not impossible for a dog to drink from a water bottle, it is much easy with a bowl. Bowls come in collapsible so that you can always have one on hand in our glove box.
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Treats

It's a long trip and you will want to make friends along the way. Keep an assortment of high value treats to offer. Avoid high fat content and high salt when possible. No treats? Try small pieces of cheese or cut up hot dogs in tiny pieces.
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Paper Towels

Just in case! You never know what might happen.
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Leashes

Additional leashes are always helpful. It is best practice to have dogs double leashes at times. This can be two collars two leashes, as long as collars are escape proof. Or a collar and leash and a slip leash.
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Transport Details

Every transport will need detailed information to be successful. Each transport will have a coordinator who will ensure that each driver has the needed information to make the transport process smooth.

Run Sheet

Each relay transport will have a run sheet that gives details for the transport. This will include:

General Instructions
Photo of the Dog to be Transported
Description and Temperament of the dog
Special Instructions

Transport Legs

A relay transport will be comprised of legs. There can be any number of legs for any number of miles. Typically legs are 1-2 hours long in one direction. The following information will be shared with drivers so they can successfully drive transport:

Driver's Name
City/State for start of transport leg
City/State for destination
Start and stop times
Total Miles to Travel
Total Time to Travel
Length of time for break and potty walk
Contact Information
Email
Cell
Vehicle Description
Meeting spot

Transport Drivers Save Lives

As a transport driver you are a key element in saving a dogs life. Many dogs in MAD Rescue were at risk of euthanasia due to over crowded shelters and neglectful owners. Here are some driver Do's and Dont's.

Do's

Do leave personal pets at home.
Consider leaving children at home.
Consider a vehicle divider.
Do leave with extra time to arrive at your meeting spot. Being late could cause the run to fail at later legs.
Do pet proof your vehicle.
Do program emergency numbers in your phone.
Do gas up before the trip.
Do ensure you have the run sheet with you.
Do check in with your transport coordinator at dog exchange points.

Dont's

Don't leave your transport passenger is a locked vehicle unattended.
Don't leave your transport passenger in a hot vehicle unattended.
Don't let personal pets interact with the transport dog. Some of our dogs are not pet friendly.
Don't forget to transfer paperwork, medications, and any items the passenger dog is traveling.

Photo Opportunities

We love photos at each hand off of the transport. The majority of our dogs are great and love people. Some get very nervous when something new is happening. They don't always understand why they are moving and leaving the people they knew behind. When taking photos always use caution with a dog that you don't know well. Hugging may make the dog feel uncomfortable, especially when from a stranger.

Photo Do's:

Approach Calmly
Use treats or toys to make friends
Capture their personality
Take Candid Shots
Respect the dogs boundaries
Keep the dog double leashes

Photo Don'ts:

Don't force interactions
Don't overwhelm the dog, limit people in the photo
Don't make sudden or unexpected movements
If the dog is too stressed, skip the photo
Don't hug or get too close
Keep faces away from the dogs face
Don't kiss the dog
Don't overly restrain the dog, causing panic

Pro Tips

Tethering
Reasons Why to Tether
- Required by law in some states.
- An unrestrained dog is a projectile that can cause harm to himself and passengers.
- An unrestrained dog is a driver distraction.
- In the event of an accident an unrestrained dog poses a potential threat to emergency workers and himself if he escapes the confines of the car.
Ways to Tether
- To the assist handle above your door.
- Around the headrest.
- Seatbelt leash and/or harness.
- Tie down to a stationary object inside vehicle.
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Slip Leashes

Slip leads add extra security and safety. They are the perfect second leash. They prevent dogs from backing out of collars and escaping. MAD Rescue requires double leashing for all transports.
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Double Leashing

When double leashing, the leashes and collars should be idependantly connected in case one leash or collar fails.
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Crating

Crating is always preferred for the safety of the animal and the driver.

Crating is not always feasible, depending on the vehicle.

Some transport runs and dogs require a crate for the dog. Your transpor coordinator will keep you informed when this is the case.
Crating
Crating Puppies

Crating is recommended for puppies traveling together. This is due to their size and activity level. They love to interfer with driving.

Puppy siblings or litters can be crated together but this is not recommended for adult dogs.
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Seat Covers

Always a good idea to protect your vehicle. A seat cover also gives a comfy and safe spot for your canine passenger.
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FI GPS Tracking Collars
MAD Rescue provides a FI collar for each dog in our program. Please follow these tips when transporting.

Do's
- Do make sure the collar is charged prior to transport.
- Do make sure the dog is wearing the collar on transport.
- Do make sure to send the charger on transport with the dog.
- Do track the dogs progress on your cell phone if you are the foster or coordinator.
- Do make sure the collar is fitted proper.
Don'ts
- Do NOT attached a leash directly to the FI collar.
- Do NOT remove the collar during transport.
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Harnesses

A harness will add extra security for a dog that is nervous on transport. It allows an additional area where the transport driver can grab on to the dog. Although no device is failproof, harnesses are difficult for a dog to tget out of.

Harnesses are highly recommended on high flight risk dogs.
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Safety Collar Connectors

A variety of safety collar connectors can be used to connect the collar to a prong or a harness. This gives one more level of safety to prevent the dog from escapting. MAD Rescue provides these to the foster homes on request. They must be ordered with enough time to ship them to the foster. They can also be purchased from online stores like Amazon for just a few dollars.
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Tarps

Special covers can be purchased for the back of your vehicle, but a normal tarp can be used as well. Economical tarps can be found at the dollar store. These are useful for dog that may get car sick.

Tarps are required for NPOTG (no paws on the ground) transports.
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No Paws On The Ground
What is a NPOTG transport? Puppies do not have fully developed immune systems. Therefore, on transport we require that they not be exposured to added risk by walking on the ground. Here are some Do's and Don'ts for a NPOTG transport.

Do's
- Make sure puppies have age appropriate vaccinations. MAD rescue pays for all vaccines prior to transport.
- Do place a tarp on the ground for potty breaks.
- Do bring absorbant materials to place on top of the tarp. This can include newspapers or pee pads.
- Potty breaks are easier with multiple puppies if you do have a small play pen to bring.
- Do bring baby wipes to clean puppies when needed.
- Do bring hand sanitize to use before and after handling the puppies.
Don'ts
- Don't walk on the tarp with your shoes. This defeats the purpose of using the tarp to begin with.
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MAD Resscue Pet ID Tag
MAD Rescue provides an id tag for every dog. Here are a few tips:

Do's
- Do make sure the dog is wearing the tag.
- Do attach the tag to the martingale or other collar.
Don'ts
- Don't attach the ID tag to the FI Collar.
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Potty Breaks

Most transports take a day or more to get the dog to it's new location. The dog will need to have some breaks along the way. Each run sheet has break time included in the sheet. Here are some helpful tips:

Make sure to leash your rescue dog prior to opening and/or exiting the vehicle.
Walk your canine passenger in authorized break areas for dogs.
Please use poop bags to leave break areas clean.
Do not introduce your MAD Rescue passenger to other dogs and people while walking.
Keep a safe distance from other dogs that are walking in the break area.
Make sure the dog gets a break at each leg.
Give your canine passenger clean and fresh water.

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Transfers

On a relay transport a dog will be transferred from one vehicle to another many times. Here are some tips for the h and off.

NEVER take a dog out of the vehicle without it being properly secured.
Make sure the collars and/or harnesses have not been chewed along the trip.
Make sure the leash and slip leash are properly attached and secure.
Ensure the FI collar is in place.
Make sure you have a firm grip on the leash and slip leash.
Loop handle of leash around wrist for added security.
Make sure to follow double leashing guidelines and protocol.
When handing off make sure the other party has a firm grasp on the leash before releasing.
If the dog ESCAPES IMMEDIATELY CONTACT your transport coordinator.