Montreal Pit Bull Transport

10/2/16:

FRIENDS,

I am re-opening the gofundme to continue to raise money for adoption fees of dogs in Montreal in danger of being euthanized. If you are able to donate or share this link, I would be extremely grateful! 

Although I will not be making the trip across the border to Montreal (only helping with transport in the US), we still need your help.

There have been extenuating circumstances leading to the difficulty of adopting a dog in Montreal by an American.

Urgently, I need people IN CANADA (anywhere outside of Montreal) able to get into Montreal today. If you live within a few hours of Montreal, and would be willing to drive there today, please contact me right away. Don't worry; it's not dangerous.

If you live outside of Montreal, are able to get to Montreal today, and are willing to "adopt" a dog from a shelter for us to pick up from you, please let me know.

If you live in or near Montreal and can call a shelter to ask if they have ANY available dogs that have been vetted and are ready for adoption, please let me know!!

Please let me know if you or any of your friends are able to help. Feel free to share this to friends' walls, tag them, or ask them to contact me through here, on gofundme.

Thank you!

10/1/16:

Hi everyone,

As I type this, my dog is curled up next to me, snuggled up with the cat, just looking up at me.

As a lot of you know, there has been a law passed in Montreal (effective Monday) that is going to lead to the deaths of thousands of dogs.

The law itself is completely vague, which allows it to impact not only pit bulls, but any "pit bull-like dog" or a dog displaying any trait that can possibly liken it to a pit bull. This includes:

Staffordshire bull terriers.
American pit bull terriers.
American Staffordshire terriers.
Any mix with these breeds.
Any dog that presents characteristics of one of those breeds (for example, a big head).

This whole situation stems from an attack on a woman, carried out by a dog whose breed... isn't even determined.

Any dog currently in a rescue or shelter that is considered (or looks like) any of the breeds listed that does not have an owner by Monday morning is to be put down. That is THOUSANDS of innocent dogs being given a certain death warrant in less than 48 hours for absolutely no viable reason.

I'm sick of the stigma, and I'm sure you are too. Those of you who have met my pit-mix, Shorty (in the picture), know that his breed does not determine his character. Just this week, he befriended the new Yorkie in the neighborhood. He cries when he can't find my cat. He's affectionate and smart, if not somewhat doofy. He wouldn't deserve this treatment, and neither do the dogs in Montreal.

Since the law goes into effect on Monday, many dogs in Montreal that are in danger of being needlessly killed are being urgently evacuated out of the city; to other cities, Canadian provinces, and even here in the US.

My goal is to rent a van and drive up to Montreal to transport as many as I possibly can to safety. I'm going to put in as much money of my own as I can afford, but to make this trip happen, I need your help.

Just to be clear- none of this money will be for profit. At all. The money will be used for the following:

-Rental of a van
-Supplies for the dogs (crates, blankets, leashes, etc.)
-Transportation costs
-Adoption fees (the dog must be legally adopted, which usually incurs a fee. That fee goes to help continue the work of the rescue/shelter)

I'm trying as hard as I possibly can to make this trip happen and have been in touch with many rescues between Montreal and New York.

Your donation would help with all of those costs. Even if I am unable to obtain a van or get this trip together in time, I will make sure that the money DOES go to a rescue that is organizing transport of Montreal dogs at risk. So don't worry; a donation won't be in vain no matter what.

The average adoption fee is around USD $290.

Thank you so much for reading this, and if you choose to donate, I would be more than grateful. You wouldn't only be helping me; you'd be helping to have a voice for those who don't have one of their own.

Sincerely and with warmest regards,
Marisa