Two Manx cats were about to be euthanized in West Virginia when Sally Holland from New Brunswick, Canada, spotted them online and pledged to adopt them. But how would she move them 1,400 miles? It would be a "railroad rescue," when an online group of volunteers help get animals out of shelters and into new homes – no matter how far away they are. Thanks to 14 helpers, Sally had her new cats safe and sound in a matter of days.
Here's how it works: someone spots an adoptable animal in need and hooks them up with an adoptive home or rescue group. A coordinator maps out a route, dividing it into legs of an hour or two.
Volunteers look for legs they can handle on the many online railroad forums, such as Dogster Railroad, Catster Railroad, Frappr, Craigslist, Yahoo groups or breed rescues, like the Basset Rescue Relay (which carries "Bassengers").
People who can't foster animals find railroading a satisfying way to have a huge, instant impact on an animal's life. "They get puppy kisses and they give out treats or water," says Paula Nowak, the Georgia State Coordinator and foster parent for New Rattitude, a rescue group that's saved 70 rat terriers over the last three months.
The volunteers who moved Holland's cats sent her pictures and progress reports and still keep in touch. "All these people are getting to see my cats before I do," Holland thought. "So many are friends for life now."
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