To the rescue: Women transport dogs to safe homes

[TribalRats]

To the rescue: Women transport dogs to safe homes
BY JAIME INGLE
News-Democrat

Kim Keeney of Millstadt is ready to travel anywhere to help a dog in need.

When Kim hears a puppy mill has been raided, she and friends drive to pick up the abused and neglected canines and connect them with foster homes.

It's all part of volunteering with the National Animal Rescue Foundation.

"I have a heart for it, and a vehicle," said Kim, 49, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Brown, who drives an SUV.

Last week, she and Rachel Helbig, of Shiloh, a fellow real estate agent and friend, showed off a few of the rescued pets they have adopted.

Meet Patience, a Lab mix with allergies, who just can't stop scratching. "I named her Patience because she just sat there waiting for her owners to come back and they never did," said Kim. Hera, a handsome Siberian Husky with striking blue eyes, is another of Kim's pets.

Rachel's two little white dogs sat quietly as she talked about them. Georgia, a long-haired Chihuahua, checked out the interior of a cozy, cloth kitty condo. Affectionate Sammy, a Westie puppy, offered a doggie kiss to whomever was willing.

Kim and Rachel leave pet rescue to the experts, but step in to drive the animals to new homes.

"We transport dogs from Point A to Point B to find them a forever home," said Kim, who has a crate for each dog to ride comfortably in her SUV and pet food and water for the trip.

"We thought one trip would take 10 hours and it took 16," said Kim. "It takes time to stop and give them food and water. If a dog gets carsick, you have to stop and deal with it."

She has driven from Columbia and Cape Girardeau in Missouri to Terre Haute, Ind., and Bloomington, Ill.

"Terre Haute has become a hub. It's an easy place to meet and has lots of grassy areas for the dogs."

Rachel, of Shiloh, recently started transporting pets, too.

"I'm a sucker for a dog no one else wants," said Rachel, 30, who learned about her Chihuahua when Kim was transporting her.

"My husband and I were watching the movie 'Ray' and Kim called, saying she had found a dog for me," said Rachel.

Kim drove the long-haired Chihuahua back from rural Missouri -- straight to Rachel's house. They named her Georgia, after the Ray Charles song.

"She was on my mind," said Rachel.

Some dogs reach a new home by accident.

"We stopped and I took a picture with my cell phone of a dog asleep on my sister's lap," said Kim. "I sent it to someone's phone and asked her, 'Is this what you're looking for?'"

The prospective pet owner sent a text message to Kim that said "yes."

"We drove her all the way back from Terre Haute," said Kim.

Kim has no plans to quit volunteering with NARF. The group is always looking for volunteers to transport dogs and is grateful for donations of food, water, dog crates and leashes.

"Selling houses, you network with people," said Kim. "I've helped people find a house and a dog. You do this because you love it."