Doggie roadtrip ... Couple sends dogs east for a better life
A group of dogs from the Humane Society of Putnam County made a trip eastward on Monday in hopes that they will be adopted to loving homes.
The Canine Caboose, headed for New Hampshire, left Monday afternoon and was sponsored by Greencastle residents Jack and Shirley Dalton.
The Daltons donated the $1,000 necessary to fund one transport to a shelter in New Hampshire where there is a greater demand for adoptable dogs.
Both animal lovers, this is the first time that the Daltons have worked with the Humane Society.
"I hadn't volunteered out there because I knew I would bring home too many animals," said Mrs. Dalton.
But when they heard about the opportunity to sponsor a trip like the Canine Caboose they thought it was a great solution.
"They knew there were not enough homes for all the animals at the shelter here in Putnam County," said Lynn Bohmer, a board member for the Humane Society. "They heard about the placement of animals in New England and how they wouldn't have to stay long if they were take out there. They thought it was the perfect match."
Canine Caboose is a program that transports dogs to shelters in New England where there is a greater demand and adoption occurs more quickly.
The Humane Society of Putnam County started participating in the program independently two years ago but had taken part in joint transports with other western Indiana counties previously.
Trip costs are shared with the New England shelter receiving the dogs. Each trip costs Putnam County's Humane Society $1,000, which covers vaccinations and spaying or neutering the dogs. The New England shelter covers most of the transportation costs.
"If we have the financial resources, we'd love to do this once a month," said Lainie Settecasi, director of the Humane Society of Putnam County.
The Dalton's donation marks the second sponsorship of a Canine Caboose trip. The Putnam County Community Foundation sponsored a trip last summer. Jack and Shirley Dalton are the first individual donors for a trip.
The Humane Society is currently looking for sponsors for future trips. Anyone interested in sponsoring a Canine Caboose trip can contact Lynn Bohmer at 653-9251.