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"The animals have no voice but ours..." |
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CVAS AND OPERATION
ROGER HELP PUP GET HOME While not every day brings high drama to Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, we do have our share of unusual stories. One unfolded in early December of 2009, when a border collie mix was reported running in the vicinity of Cracker Barrel and the Fairfield Inn on Wayne Ave. Carol Hepfer, our longtime senior kennel technician (and one of our “treasures”) went to the site with treats and food, and came very close to catching him, when loud noise from passing traffic “spooked” the dog. He ran away from her, but stayed in sight. This continued through another day, until Georgia Martin, state dog warden, brought out a humane trap and succeeded in catching him. Very frightened, but obviously gentle and well-cared for, the dog was brought to CVAS, where the first thing the staff does is scan an incoming animal for a microchip. Our executive director, Jamie Kasarda, was very excited when a number came up! She called the microchip hotline and found that the pup was registered to an owner in Connecticut, luckily with full information including the dog’s name—Jesse—home address and phone number, work phone number, and an email address. In this case, the email address was very important, because it turned out that the owner had recently moved. Jamie sent an email to the owner, Kris, saying, “I think we have your dog at Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter.” Within an hour Kris returned the email and gave her his new phone number. He had been worried to death about Jesse. It turned out that Jesse had gotten loose when the family stopped at Cracker Barrel on Wayne Avenue in Chambersburg. Kris and his family, including a newborn, had stopped for lunch on the first leg of a long drive from Connecticut to San Antonio, Texas, headed for a new job and a new home. They called and searched for Jesse for hours, but could find no trace of him. Finally, they had to continue their trip, hoping desperately that Jesse would be found somehow. By the time Jesse was found and contact was made, the family was in San Antonio, about 2,000 miles away. And so began the effort to get Jesse home. Kris looked into air transport. CVAS staff would have been willing to help by providing a crate and getting Jesse to the airport, but the airfare was prohibitive for a young family starting a new life far from home. At one point, an email from Kris read, “I’ve had Jesse since he was a puppy, and I want him home, but I don’t know how we can make that happen. As much as I would hate to do it, I’m thinking I may have to put him up for adoption.” Enter Operation Roger. A 501C charitable organization, Operation Roger is a very well-organized network of truck drivers who will transport lost or abandoned cats and dogs to the new home or rescue ready to receive them. Organized in September of 2005 and named for the Toy Manchester Terrier of the founder, Trucker Classy Lady, Operation Roger is a relay of rides, including layover homes, where animals are transported in the cabs of long distance trucks, usually sitting in a seat belt beside the driver enjoying the passing scenery. (These volunteer drivers are wonderful people!) Jamie and the staff worked with Sue from Operation Roger to organize Jesse’s “Long Journey Home.” Kris was thrilled with this, and checked every other day to see how his buddy was doing. Meanwhile, Sue found one trucker who was passing through Chambersburg, but his route was through Canada before he could head to Texas. This meant that CVAS would need to get Jesse’s vaccine history, make sure it was updated, and obtain a Health Certificate for him. The veterinarian in Connecticut faxed Jesse’s records to CVAS. While Jesse was up to date, he was due for his rabies vaccine in December. Carol took him to Lincoln Way Animal Hospital where Dr. Stratton administered the vaccine and provided the needed certificate. That same day, December 12, 2009, Shelter Manager Jen Merletti and staff member Meghan Graham delivered Jesse to “Trucker Bob” at the Marion exit Truck Stop. Bob had his own dog, a pug mix, with him, and the two pups got along fine. Jesse became an international traveler that week, enjoying his ride through Canada, Chicago, Kansas City, Little Rock, and other places of interest. At some point, Bob’s route was changed, and Jesse and his luggage were transferred to another trucker, this time in the company of a cattle dog. Meanwhile, we were all a little anxious, waiting to hear that Jesse arrived home safely. Jamie made sure the new trucker had all of Kris’s contact information, and had a plan to meet up with Kris. She checked in with him daily (and by this time probably would have flown to wherever Jesse was to transport him herself!) Finally, in time for Christmas at home, Jesse arrived in Texas where he was met by his overjoyed family. It was a tail-wagging time, let me tell you. The last email we had from Kris said that Jesse was back to sleeping at the bottom of the bed, and was enduring their oldest daughter’s climbing over him all day. His gratitude to the staff was boundless. As for the dedicated people at Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter – this is what they do. This is why they come to work every day prepared to help every animal they can. What the story of Jesse proves beyond a doubt is that they “go the extra mile” for people, too.
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We have been providing
humane services for animals in need, and assisting adoptable pets in a second chance of love and companionship
at our current building, since 1995. |
Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter, Inc.