WE DO MORE THAN TRANSPORT!
CURRENT PROJECTS
Although a life-saving measure, transport is merely a short-term solution to shelter overcrowding. Since our inception, the Shelter Dog Transport Alliance has been committed to addressing the root causes that fuel overpopulation in the South. We are also deeply committed to improving standards of care within our shelter systems, as well as their communities.
See What We're Working On
SPAY / NEUTER
Although transport is a worthy, life-changing endeavor, we're well aware it's not a sustainable solution to animal overpopulation in the South. We started this transport program out of necessity, but if we truly care about the welfare of our most vulnerable; then it has to be our responsibility to stop the cycle that fuels the need for relocation. Our Northern partners are able to open their rescue doors to our shelter animals in need because years ago they committed to spay/neuter legislation, while simultaneously ensuring services were affordable and accessible within their communities. The Shelter Dog Transport Alliance has created a special program called WNC Spay/Neuter Alliance in which we provide low- cost to no cost spay/neuter services to several rural communities that lack acess to this essential service. Several times a month we utilize one of our transport vans to pick up community animals at risk of reproducing and return them same day back to their owners.
SHELTER SUPPORT
Although transport relieves shelter overcrowding, there are still so many burdens our understaffed and under-resourced county shelters face. To date, the SDTA has funded shelter expansion projects such as additional quarantine areas for puppies suffering from parvo, as well as mentored and purchased vans for shelters wanting to initiate their own transport programs. We also help to provide basic shelter necessities such as food and enrichment toys, as well as housing. Our shelter workers are on the front lines of animal rescue day in and day out. The better we're able to care for them, the better they're able to care for those in need.
COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE
Our close-knit relationships with our local and rural shelters allow us to 'hear the needs' of the communities they serve and help them beyond our regular transports.
Many rural areas of WNC are still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which devastated WNC in September 2024. The ongoing economic uncertainty that continues has placed families in situations where difficult decisions have to be made around caring for their animals. Almost every transport North, we use our vans to return home with food and supplies to support families struggling to feed their pets. During the colder months, we also provide free straw and dog igloos to individuals requesting help with caring for their animals outdoors.
Finally, not every family is at a place of giving up their animals for adoption or rescue, but funds just aren't there to provide adequate housing or shelter. The SDTA funds dog fencing projects, catio rebuilds, as well as property clean-ups so families can better care for their animals. This often makes the difference between keeping a pet in a home or having them be surrendered to a shelter.
