How We Do It
About AHeinz57
AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport, Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit, foster-based animal rescue organization, headquartered in De Soto, IA. We are a unique rescue organization in that we exist mainly to bridge the gap between traditional animal shelters and no-kill rescues in 2 different ways:
1) By providing free transportation for dogs and cats from traditional shelters to no-kill rescues all over the Midwest and Canada.
2) By pulling dogs out of traditional shelters that are on death row and placing them in foster homes and forever homes thru our organization.
What do we mean by “Transport”?
Every day no-kill shelters monitor traditional shelters and do their best to pull dogs and cats out before they are euthanized. The dogs and cats that are lucky enough to dodge that bullet still need to get to no-kill shelters that have room for them. Most of the time, this requires transportation to another state. A transport coordinator blasts out emails to the transport network and volunteers sign up for various legs of the journey. We give them rides!
AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport is the ONLY rescue or shelter in Iowa that has a dedicated transport program, providing transport from kill shelters to other no-kill rescues at no charge to either party. Volunteers typically drive dogs from Bethany, MO to De Soto, IA and additional volunteers drive them from De Soto, IA to Clear Lake, IA. Sometimes we drive them as far North as Canada or go as far South as Texas to pick them up. We have been East to Indiana and West to Colorado. Please view our photo gallery of all the wonderful dogs we have transported already this year.
We are licensed by the USDA and have two transport vehicles that are equipped specifically for the safe transport of these precious lives. Now we just need drivers!
What is “Fostering”?
We are a foster-based program for homeless dogs and occasionally cats. In addition to taking in the strays in our community, we also pull dogs out of shelters. When dogs are scheduled to be euthanized in shelters, we pull as many as we can out and place them in temporary homes (“foster homes”). Then we get them completely vetted (vaccines, heartworm test, heartworm prevention, Frontline, spay/neuter, rabies shots, dewormer and microchip). Once all vet care is taken care of we find them forever homes thru adoption events and social media. We need committed volunteers to make this work. For details on fostering, click here.
What is the Pit Stop?
The Pit Stop is located at 4002 Ash Street, De Soto, IA. It is designed to be a temporary stop for dogs when they first arrive. There they get vetted and we make sure they have nothing contagious before sending them to their foster homes. It is also a sanctuary for senior dogs and dogs with behavior issues. We make it as much like a home as we possibly can. Some have race car toddler beds, most get to hang out in their respective play groups, enjoy the dog park in back, and get lots of love and attention from our volunteers.
Please sign up to volunteer today!
Our Mission – Bridging The Gap
I have volunteered at both no-kill shelters and traditional shelters. In my experience, the no-kill shelters tend to put down the traditional shelters for euthanizing animals. Likewise, the traditional shelters have criticized no-kill shelters. One even went so far as to say that, “Until all shelters can be no-kill shelters, NO shelters should be no-kill shelters.” Likewise, I’ve heard some no-kill shelters readily accuse traditional shelters of “murdering” animals and having no heart or soul. This has to stop!
Like religion and politics, the world of animal rescue has it’s extremes: those that are charged with the care of innocent animals and treat them horribly, and those that claim to value all furry lives, but really only accept the cutest, healthiest animals. I believe, just like religion and politics, there are far more moderates out there. People who are simply trying their best to do the right thing for these poor lost souls. There is definitely a gap between no-kill rescues and traditional shelters, but I don’t think it is necessarily a large gap if we are all honest and realistic about it.
AHeinz57 Pet Rescue & Transport is bridging the gap between no-kill and traditional shelters. We all have common ground in that we are all in this business because we ALL care about animals. It’s not fair that our rescue gets to boast that we do not euthanize animals when we have to turn animals away because we don’t have room. The animals we don’t have room for end up at the traditional shelters because they do NOT turn animals away. It’s not fair that they are left to deal with the horrible reality that there are simply too many animals and not enough homes. It’s not fair that they must make the horrific decision of who lives and who dies, while we sit back and pat ourselves on the back. But, what is most unfair of all, is that there are so many reasons why this debate even exists: overpopulation due to puppymills and lack of spaying/neutering, owner surrenders because they are moving or no longer have time, pets being dumped like trash, dog fighting, and laws that do nothing about this problem. These are the things we must all focus on, instead of focusing on who is doing a better job saving lives. We all must come together in a united effort to help these animals. We have to stop putting each other down and start joining hands.
A starting point to bridge this gap is the transportation networks we are involved in. By monitoring the traditional shelters and pulling as many as possible on their last day, we are alleviating the need to euthanize so many.
Amy Heinz
If you would like to join us in our mission or have ideas on ways to bridge this gap, please contact us at aheinz@aheinz57.com.
No Kill vs. Traditional – The Debate
Did you know that approximately 600 dogs, puppies, cats and kittens are KILLED each HOUR in the U.S in overcrowded shelters, because there is not enough homes for them? We think that is horrible and unacceptable, but is there any way around it? That’s been the subject of debate for years.
Being No-Kill shelters, we pride ourselves on the fact that we do not euthanize animals to make room for new ones coming in. We are all dedicated to saving the lives of homeless animals, but what about the dogs and cats that we don’t have room for? What about the dogs that are so aggressive or sick that they can’t be helped? Are we really “No-Kill”? Or does it really only mean we do not euthanize due to space issues? Who’s to blame for all this killing? Did you spay and/or neuter your pets? Did you train them and really provide a forever home? Or are you part of the problem?
Here’s an interesting article and food for thought:
Answer to the Difficult Euthanasia Question
September 25, 2003
Every now and then I receive a letter asking why the LA/SPCA is still euthanizing animals and when are we going “no-kill.” Many people are afraid to ask the question, so I thought I’d share the substance of my response with you.
Every city has the unfortunate task of collecting stray and unwanted animals. The LA/SPCA assumes that duty for New Orleans and receives up to 1,000 animals each month. Shelters like these are called “open admission” shelters. They accept animals regardless of injuries, pedigree, or reason for surrender; they provide refuge for all. “Limited admission” shelters are often called “no-kill” shelters because they do not euthanize. These shelters cannot accept any and all animals as they would be forced to euthanize because of the sheer number of animals that require housing. Consequently, limited admission shelters must ration their intake, which leaves hundreds more animals for another agency to accommodate.
Unfortunately the inflow of unwanted animals continues to be far greater than the number of available homes for those animals. What is the most humane way to address the needs of all these surplus creatures? Shelters across the country accept 6-8 million cats and dogs each year. If the LA/SPCA alone receives a thousand animals in a month, where would they stack the animals until new homes are found? Sadly, there are not enough homes and there is not enough sanctuary land to house 6-8 million pets each year. Imagine if the nation stopped euthanizing for 4 years. Over that period, the country would be housing 24 million homeless dogs and cats. Is that reasonable? Is warehousing in the best interest of the dogs and cats? This is the difficult debate caused by owners who have neglected or refused to have their pets sterilized.
The LA/SPCA believes that every animal deserves a high quality of life. Living in cages over the long term does not support this principle. Since an agency in New Orleans must take in these animals, the LA/SPCA accepts the responsibility. If an animal must be euthanized, the LA/SPCA compassionately puts them down via injection, a traumatic method for staff but the most sensitive and dignified for the animal.
Euthanasia and sheltering are not the solution, but a temporary necessity. Spaying, neutering and education are the only answers to the deep rooted problem of overpopulation which is why the LA/SPCA invests so heavily in sterilization programs. Until all dogs and cats are sterilized or the numbers of homeless animals are significantly reduced, our community will continue to euthanize.
The ultimate goal is to be a city where adoptable animals are no longer euthanized by any agency. Until then, someone will be required to perform the tough task.
– Laura Maloney
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