TRANSPORT DOGS USA

It’s finally here. I’ve been trying to find a way to describe this opportunity that presented itself to me a few months ago. I am so excited to finally have the time (and energy!) to share my current project. 
Toward the beginning of June, I am going to em- “bark” (prepare yourself, there are tons of puns coming your way…) on a sabbatical through all of North America for the next 12-16 weeks. My traveling companion and I are starting with the subtropical forests and mangrove wetlands that line the southeastern side of the country, heading north to the temperate forests that merge with the Appalachian Mountains, questing across the Great Plains to the rigorous Rocky Mountain terrains and on to the Intermountain Plains in Nevada. Finally, we will be reaching the cold & rocky shores of the Pacific Northwest coast of Mount Rainier and heading south through Yosemite National Park to conclude my journey in San Francisco, land of all things dog friendly. 


 I will be visiting multiple University locations to educate me on the best possible choice for my continuing Bachelors and future Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, researching the best dog parks in the US of A, meeting at the Bureau of Land Management in Sacramento to learn more about horse rescue (a new found passion, apparently!), and of course the best places with the best kinds of coffee. 



Along the way, I will be meeting and networking new people in rescue to develop a "Transport USA" kind of non-profit rescue group that will be dedicated to allwoing dogs to experience travel through finding their forever homes! My hope is to continue to rehome as many dogs as possible through educating people in different cities and encouraging them to make a difference in their community through saving the lives of animals.


Having a hypothesis of what could come of this amazing once in a lifetime research opportunity, but not knowing the conclusion, is definitely the best part. 

 The syllabus scheduled for my departure is below. 

12 - 16 weeks

The course I have put together addresses the critical and cultural and social functions of what a naturalist is today in the twentieth first century. Reaching for a greater understanding of the relationships between environments and their populist in this quickly changing world. I am setting a direction and goal and allowing for a free and open plan that will help me engage with as many anilmals and people as I can.

Project 01 - HABITAT 

Man-Made Habitat/enclosure (zoo-typologies)

Of course it is on my bucket list to visit as many Zoos as possible all over the world. During my visits here, I will be documenting the differences between a man-made habitat for these not so domestic animals and comparing it to research I find with animals living in their natural habitat. I will be providing an abstract of my findings.

Public Enclosures
-Central Park Zoo/ Bronx Zoo
-Lincoln Park Zoo
-Denver Zoo
-San Diego Zoo
-All Dog Parks

 Private Enclosures
-Animal Sanctuary
- Dog rescue
- TBD
- TBD
- TBD 

Project 02 ENVIRONMENT 

Conservation/Preservation (flora/fauna/environment)
We protect wildlife and nature because they inspire us. Because many of our species have not faired well over the past few decades, I want to ensure I’m doing as much research as necessary to teach myself and others the best way to keep them safe. 

WORLD WILD LIFE protected sites
-Northern Great Plains
-Chihuahuan Dessert 
-Gulf of California

NATIONAL PARKS
-Acadia National Park
-Olympic National Park
-George Washington and Jefferson National Park

Enviromental Zones
-Tar sands (this is where my Passport comes into play!)
-Water sampling/bathymetry data based          
off water environmental impact zones


Project 03 TRANSPORT USA

Rescue all the dogs everywhere! 

With all my time spent in rescue the last 6 years of my life, I only recently discovered just how over capacitated our Houston shelters are. I feel this is a direct lack of care for our animals and/or not enough education being done in our city. On my cross-country expedition, I plan to connect with different rescue people/groups in multiple cities/states to learn more about how I can make a US transport rescue group happen across North America.

-(First city TBD)
-(Second TBD)
-(ThridCity TBD)

Project 04 RESCUE
I can talk all day long about what needs should be met in rescue, but through all my research, I truly hope to find other types of mammalian rescues that I haven’t learned about yet. What can I do to help the dolphins? Is there an animal rescue devoted to saving Horses? Can I bring in my rescue dogs to help other rescues in need? SO MANY THINGS TO FIND OUT!

Marine Life
Dog/Domesticated Animal
Horse Rescue (Meeting with team member from the Bureau of Land Management)

Project 05 SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH (my hero!)

Native/invasive species - mixed media

I’m making a movie, friends. I can’t wait to document every single critter, teach you about wildlife, and take you on an educational ride through my most Earthly finds!

Videography
Photography
Cartography

Project 06 ENGAGE

Connect/People/Animals

My biggest setback in rescue has been the inability to connect with people through outreach. No matter how much you offer, how easier you make it for them, or how honest you seem, there are many people in the city of Houston that refuse to accept responsibility of their pets by meeting their essential, yet basic, needs.

-5 Veterinary University programs
-Helping animals and anyone else
-Saving all animals regardless of size shape or form
-Meeting everyone in the animal saving community
-Find where and how I will make the most  difference in the world
-Training Wren (and Journey, too!) in Search & Rescue/Tracking
-Visiting 5-10 National Parks along with 5- 10 world class cities
-Publishing poems, stories, and all information in my experience as a technician

I am overwhelmed at the support of the Houston community in all of our rescue endeavors. I truly feel as if we are one big family working together to see a difference made for the rough and tough streets of Houston’s homeless pets. The outcome of this goal is the same for all of us, and what a journey it is! For the last year and a half of my life, I was given the most amazing opportunity at my place of employment, North Durham Animal Hospital: I was given a space to do rescue. This meant I could board my dogs and cats for free while getting low cost vaccines and alterations for each new baby I was able to bring in via owner surrenders, strays, and pulling from local shelters. Throughout this experience, and homing over 100 dogs, I felt every emotion in the book from extraordinarily happy to being so heartbroken I couldn’t imagine feeling any worse.  I learned who my real friends were; the ones supporting me in this dream not only through their words, but through their actions. I learned about sickness in animals, how to move quickly but efficiently in emergencies, how to love and let my fosters go, and how to bond with the people I work with.  I truly feel all the sacrifices made were actually a blessing to teach me what my purpose in life is meant to be: 

 SAVING AS MANY ANIMALS AS POSSIBLE!
 
The community of Houston has been with me throughout this journey of self-revelation. I feel like you guys have seen me grow from a terrified beginner to a full blown member of the rescue community. It is not enough to say how thankful I am to have been given the opportunity to change lives and make a difference. I feel as if this special gift has opened my heart to a much bigger project that will touch even more people/animals and show the world how important it is to go after your dreams. 

 Will you join me on this adventure?

My heart is growing through the compassion and grace of my rescue revealing what a job we all have to do here. I am so ready! If I land somewhere else, by all means, I will make a difference there too. 
The love shown to me through my passions has encouraged me to spread my wings a bit & take the adventure as it comes.
If you feel as if you want to support my dream, please do so by donating. It is a 12-16 week adventure on the road.
Funds will be documented to ensure I put it towards cost of living on the road, food, and all around living as minimal as possible.

Besides finances, I am looking for a few things that friends and family may have and be willing to share with me temporarily or forever. 

The list of materials includes:
1 gallon BPA Free water bottles (several of these would be awesome)

Tent
Gas Can
Lantern
Hammock ;)
Compound Microscope
Dissection Scope
Magnifying Glass
2 – 3 bags of adult grain free dog kibble (no brand preference!)
Flashlights
Sleeping Bags
Medium Size Cooler
Kettle for Coffee
Axe
**ANYTHING ELSE I MAY NEED WHILE CAMPING SINCE I’VE NEVER TRAVELED SO PLEASE, ANY AND ALL IDEAS ARE WELCOME!
(Also, any of these items do not need to be brand new or bought; we would love to focus on items sitting in your closet and/or around the house/garage that you do not necessarily use)

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for allowing me to express myself as naturally as possible through this trip. I look forward to updating everyone along the way!

 -Paige, Foxtail Pet Rescue