[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Spencer came into a nearby rural shelter covered in fleas. He was scared to death. This is a picture of Spencer just before the P.E.T.S. Underdog Express program pulled him from a nearby rural shelter.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”30608″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]The journey of the dogs involved in our P.E.T.S. Underdog Express program begins at area shelters. Some area shelters have low capacity. And sometimes dogs aren’t adopted within a certain time frame. Dogs in these situations are in danger of being put down. This is when we the P.E.T.S. Underdog Express volunteers step in for a dog rescue.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Placed With a Volunteer Foster Family” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]After being pulled from the rural area shelter, Spencer is placed with a wonderful volunteer foster family. You can see him in the pictures. He’s learning to socialize. He’s getting comfortable in his new home. And he’s learning to get along with his new brothers and sisters. All thanks to his amazing volunteer foster family.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”30611″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”30612″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”30613″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]The foster families that volunteer for P.E.T.S. Underdog Express will help with bathroom training (if needed). They work on crate training to make sure the dogs are ready for the long trip to New York. They also work on socializing with humans and other animals to make sure the dogs make great pets. They give these dogs a home, they give them love, and they make sure the dogs are ready for the next step.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Vetted and Tested” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]After a few weeks, Spencer is ready to complete the preparation for his trip. The P.E.T.S. Underdog Express program makes sure Spencer has all his testing and vetting before he leaves. They need to make sure he is healthy and ready to go to New York![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”30617″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]As part of the P.E.T.S. Underdog Express program, volunteer foster families help get the dogs to vet appointments. All costs are covered by the program, and many times if one family is too busy to bring their foster pup, another family will help out! Foster families also have play dates together for their pups, and can choose to participate in training to make sure they have all the latest info on training their foster pups.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Time for a Dog Rescue by Transport!” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]It’s the big day for Spencer! It’s also a big day for all the dogs that are part of this round of the P.E.T.S. Underdog Express program. Our last few transports have had an average of 30 dogs from our program. The volunteer foster families bring their foster pups out to the truck. They say a tearful goodbye to their temporary family members. The dogs are loaded up and off they go to Helping Hounds Dog Rescue in Dewitt, New York![/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”30620″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”30621″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Helping Hounds accepts dogs from all over the country, but mainly from southern states where high rates of euthanasia are still an issue. They work to match homeless dogs from overcrowded shelter systems with loving homes in their area. And it works! Dogs are adopted in an average of 9 days after they arrive!![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”First Day in New York” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Spencer has arrived in Dewitt, New York, and to the loving arms of Helping Hounds! But he doesn’t stay there long. That’s right, folks, Spencer is adopted on day one in New York. He’s on his way home to his new forever home![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”30627″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]As mentioned, once the dogs arrive in New York they are adopted within an average of 9 days. But Spencer’s story is reminiscent of many of our P.E.T.S. Underdog Express pups. At Helping Hounds, when the transport arrives, families are lined up to adopt, and many of our pups are adopted as soon as they get off the truck![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Spencer’s New Story” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]Spencer is now with his forever family in his forever home. He spends his days with his mom, loves his dad, and has two kids to play with.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”30629″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”30628″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”30630″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”30633″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”link_image”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]It’s hard to beat the rewarding feeling of seeing these pups go from nearing euthanasia in an area shelter to the process of dog rescue. They are fostered and finally in their forever home. If you’re interested in volunteering or donating to help the P.E.T.S. Underdog Express program, click here for more information on the program and how to contact us and click here to donate![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]