I’m so thankful for those people who can provide foster homes, something I’ve not yet been able to do, but being a transport driver is a way for me to still play an important part in the rescue process. As a transport driver, I get to be a link between foster families and furever families. I began volunteering as a transport driver a few years ago when I lived in Western North Carolina, and I’ve found Doobert.com to be an innovative and easy way for me to connect with the rescue community in the Charlotte area where I live now.

I’ve always chosen to adopt rescue animals. Some people only want pure-bred animals — those genetically chosen for certain characteristics and seen accompanying celebrities in designer handbags. Rescue animals tend to be a bit more unique, and we give our love to them much the same as we do to our human counterparts — quirks and all.

It pains me that there are so many animals who are in need of homes. North Carolina, and the South in general, has failed to enact spay/neuter laws to sufficient curb pet overpopulation. And it angers me that there are those who see their pets as personal property to treat and mistreat as they desire. Rescue organizations are key to educating the public about what really happens when animals are abandoned. Whether dumped on the streets or taken to the pound, these animals seldom survive. Forced to live in the wild without proper medical care and feeding, these feral, abandoned animals may become public health risks and subject to animal control laws. While animal control may work in partnership with humane societies, these law enforcement units in and of themselves are not designed to be adoption agencies. According to the ASPCA, approximately 7.6 million animal enter shelters each year. Of those animals, 2.7 million are adopted — and 2.7 million pets are euthanized.

It’s easy enough for someone to say he or she is an animal lover, to collect kitty cat tchotchkies, canine calendars, and bunny-themed tote bags. It’s much harder to take action. I encourage people to get involved with legitimate animal rescue organizations. In addition to fostering animals or being a transportation driver, many organizations need help with some of the less “warm and furry” tasks such as administration, social media, donation coordination, cleaning, photography, or special events. A little bit of your time and energy can go a long way toward saving a life.