ASPCA Partners with Louisiana SPCA, AnimalWorks and St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center on First of Several Transports to Help Dogs Start a New Life

NEW YORK—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) teamed up with the Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA) in New Orleans, La., AnimalWorks in Alcoa, Tenn. and St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, N.J. to relocate 43 dogs in a transport operation this week.

The transport—which began at the LA/SPCA in New Orleans, La. on Tuesday morning—made a stop at AnimalWorks, a spay/neuter clinic in Alcoa, Tenn., that provided staff and volunteers to help walk and care for the dogs before moving on to St. Hubert’s, where they arrived on Wednesday afternoon. Some of the dogs were then picked up by three New Jersey rescue partners who have agreed to help with placement: Humane Society of Atlantic County in Atlantic City; Jersey Shore Animal Center in Brick; and Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown. The dogs, which are a mix of different ages, sizes and breeds – including a nine-month old, 118 lb. Great Dane puppy named Leo – now will have a better chance to find a home as St. Hubert’s and the rescue partners place them up for adoption.

This week’s transport operation is the first of several between the LA/SPCA and St. Hubert’s in the coming months. Each transport will bring approximately 40-60 dogs from the Southeast—where there is an oversupply of them—to shelters in the Northeast where these types of dogs are in higher demand.  The ASPCA Animal Relocation Initiative will fund all of the transports, which will occur once a month.

“The ASPCA Relocation Initiative works collaboratively to assist animals at risk, moving them to where they have the greatest opportunity to find a home,” said Sandy Monterose, senior director of community outreach for the ASPCA. “In much of the South where euthanasia rates are high, there are no shelters within the region or even in surrounding states that can absorb these animals.  The most viable solution is to transport animals to areas of the country where they are most likely to be adopted. St. Hubert’s and their partners are providing a second chance for these dogs.”

“In our mission to advocate for animals in Louisiana, we have formed partnerships across the country with amazing organizations, like St. Hubert’s and Animalworks as well as the ASPCA, that are dedicated to saving the lives of animals everywhere,” said Ana Zorrilla, CEO of the LA/SPCA. “We are all united around a common goal to find forever homes for animals in need and this opportunity provides many animals in our community a second chance.”

“AnimalWorks is so pleased to have played a role in this life-saving effort,” said Jim Tedford, director of Animal Welfare Initiatives and Alliances at PetSafe, and AnimalWorks board member.  “We recognize that the law of supply and demand also applies to our animal companions and are thrilled to see these remarkable dogs find their way to a part of the country where they are in great demand.  Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State for good reason.  The outpouring of support has been heartwarming.  Our volunteers are anxiously awaiting the next transport!”

“St. Hubert’s is proud to be a part of this well organized, collaborative effort,” said St. Hubert’s President & CEO Heather Cammisa. “Working together we’re able to do that much more for animals, communities and the cause.”

Late last year, the ASPCA issued a $100,000 grant to the LA/SPCA for a transport vehicle, which will enable them to transport animals in the event of natural disasters, for spay/neuter services and to transport animals to rescue partners in N.J. The LA/SPCA vehicle currently is being manufactured and outfitted for use.  Until its completion, Loving Friends Transport in Clearwater, Fla. is providing the transport services.

In addition to the ASPCA Animal Relocation Team, the LA/SPCA, AnimalWorks and St. Hubert’s, this transport operation was made possible thanks to the collaboration of the following groups:

• Humane Society of Atlantic County, Jersey Shore Animal Center, and Monmouth County SPCA – St. Hubert’s rescue partners in N.J. that converged at St. Hubert’s to each take some of the animals;
• PetSafe – for providing leadership and volunteers for the mid-way care of animals at AnimalWorks;
• University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine – for providing veterinarians and veterinary students who performed health checks at AnimalWorks to ensure continued health and safety during the trip; and
• Loving Friends Transport – for providing the transport vehicle and services until LA/SPCA’s new transport vehicle is ready.

Stay tuned to the ASPCA’s blog early next week for photos and video from the transport operation.