© 2008 Fuzzysouls

Newport's Rolling Rescue, having initially worked with other Tennessee shelters, evolved into an all volunteer force transporting animals from the Newport Animal Shelter to shelters out of state.  Because the number of animals needing to be sent was much higher than the number we were able to send, volunteers and the shelter staff worked to take on a much more demanding job.  We now choose monthly up to a hundred dogs, puppies, cats and kittens from a large population, help them regain health and do preventive vet care so they can meet the requirements necessary to transport them.  Volunteers have bathed, cleaned up after, medicated, walked, held and soothed animals that were almost certainly going to be euthanized. Cages were purchased, vans rented and drivers (who pay for their own lodging and meals) were identified.  The hard work was forgotten as the vans pulled out filled with animals bound for new homes and families to love them.

It's difficult to understand what a difference spaying and neutering the majority of animals has made in other states.  Many do not have shelters overflowing with puppies and kittens but neither are their shelters completely empty.  There has just been a reduction of litters and many people would prefer to adopt young animals from shelters than to purchase from breeders.  Shelters have welcomed our animals both because they want to help us out and because they love the animals we select for them.  We have so many to choose from.  Unfortunately, there are those who never leave our shelter because they are breeds that society has grown to fear or mistrust.  And some,like hunting breeds, are just overbred.  We try to help as many as we can but we must send the types of dogs that shelters know they can easily adopt out.

Our goal is to transport as many as our money and volunteer efforts will allow until such time that it isn't necessary anymore.  We know that low cost spaying and neutering must become available in our community so that we can, in time, see our shelter become one that can offer help to others instead of requiring it.  We deeply appreciate all of the shelters that have welcomed and found homes for all of our animals.

Many thanks to local individuals and organizations.  Special thanks to the City of Newport Animal Shelter, Friends of the Animal Shelter which generously supports all shelter functions with time and money and Jabo's Pharmacy whose donation of Tamiflu has saved many dogs from the deadly Parvo virus