“Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not.”
– Oprah Winfrey
Since day one of Doobert’s launch, I have always required organizations to submit an application so that we had the opportunity to verify they were legitimate and that they were focused on doing things the right way. We do check every reference and conduct our own research to try and make sure we are only allowing reputable organizations to utilize the system.
I have had many volunteers and organizations say that I should just allow anyone to post transport requests because they are helping animals. However I have stuck to my belief that the right way to do transport is something that is of vital importance to emphasize and educate people on. That is why I spent so much time researching the state regulations and trying to provide them to the rescue community, because there is a right way and a wrong way to do animal transport (State Resources Map)
Sadly, in the rush of organizations to “help” with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, there are now stories that will negatively reflect on those organizations that do focus on
So please, remind your volunteers, your friends, your family, and anyone you encounter transporting animals that there are standards, requirements, laws and best practices for doing this correctly. Our friends at the Animal Rescue Professionals Organization have even created a certification for animal rescue transporters to help differentiate between those people that are serious about doing things the right way and demonstrating their knowledge. We all have a part to play to continue to raise the standards; raise the bar; focus on doing things the right way. The problem of overpopulation and the need for transport was not created overnight and it will not be solved overnight.