So many good ideas!

So it's been a several weeks since I did that transport to Atlanta. Since then, I've become more and more enamored with the idea of starting my own non-profit.

Community cats are my passion, so the first thoughts involved transporting trapped cats to and from their sterilization surgeries. 2018 has been brutal for cat overpopulation, not only locally, but seemingly the whole southeast is feeling the squeeze of so...many...kittens! The calls for help with abandoned kittens and pregnant cats started in January this year (as opposed to about March), and has never let up.  Every desperate request that crosses my news feed has my heart aching to help somehow.  

So, what would an animal transport non-profit look like? As I said, the initial intent was to focus on transporting community cats to/from their surgeries and colony relocation. Occasionally, these cats may need to wait for a surgery slot to open, or for a new location to live, so safe, temporary housing is a part of that vision. 

I've also been researching the transfers of cats and dogs (mainly) from southern shelters/rescues (usually high kill/overcrowded) to northern shelters/rescues (usually low/no kill). This isn't new. Warm southern climates across the country allow for there to be a year-round reproductive season for any unfixed pets out there. Northern winters put a natural halt to the baby-making drive as critters switch their focus to survival. Sadly, in some areas winters are so brutal, free roaming cats and dogs may even succumb to the elements. Thus, contributing to a "shortage" of adoptable animals (especially the oh-so-desirable puppies and kittens) in the north, particularly over the late fall and winter months. Another huge factor seems to be the lack of public education and outreach-particularly in the South-regarding the importance of spay/neuter. Or, the lack of understanding? The lack of acceptance? That is a mystery that we'll save for another day!

A transport-focused non-profit could take part of the financial burden off of sending shelters and rescues. Smaller organizations may have tight/no budgets for vehicle, gas, lodging, and driver per-diem expenses. They may not have available staff or volunteers willing and able to do the driving. There are a lot of volunteers out there that seem to do this for free, albeit in 1-2 hour legs at a time. Hm. That's a LOT of coordination. How do you get a large group of animals all out at once? 20+ animals? 50? Hm. Would donations alone be enough to cover vehicle wear-n-tear and travel costs? Or do I charge the organizations I'm trying to help? 

AND! Earlier this year, I began volunteering with a local wildlife rescue, and learned of another niche a transport non-profit could fill. Injured and displaced wildlife often need to be transported to a rehabber who can help them since rehabbers can be scattered across their state. Some wildlife rehabbers specialize in certain animals too: small mammals, songbirds, raptors, reptiles, etc. So if a poor turtle gets his shell cracked after being hit by a car, and the closest reptile specialist is over 2 hours away...not every person who finds injured wildlife is in the position to drop everything and make a 4-hour round trip journey. Perhaps an animal transport non-profit would mean the difference between that turtle being left to suffer on the side of the road, or getting the care he needs.

A lot to think about, and all of it is exciting.

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