Low on Sleep, High on Puppy Kisses

RedRover Responders volunteers haven’t gotten much sleep for the past few days. After volunteers spent a couple days setting up the temporary emergency animal shelter to prepare for the criminal seizure of more than 500 dogs from a breeding operation in Quebec, the first truck from the field rescue team arrived around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. More than 20 RedRover Responders volunteers set to work unloading about 150 dogs and getting them settled into their new digs at the emergency shelter, complete with dry bedding, clean water and fresh food.

Unloading the first truckload of 150 dogs at 3:30 a.m.
Photo courtesy Kathy Milani/The HSUS

As each truckload of dogs came in, the unloading continued. Volunteers noticed the dogs suffered from skin and respiratory problems, and were also struck by the variety of the breeds present – from Chihuahuas to Great Danes. The work continued well into the wee hours of the morning before volunteers finally were able to get a few hours’ rest. Then, they got up in the morning and went right back to work. Exhaustion is just a little easier to bear when the volunteers know that more than 150 young puppies and more than 350 older dogs will be there to greet them at the shelter, eager to receive the volunteers’ loving care.