Volunteer Handbook

Driver Requirements A – Z Transport Guide Slumber PAWty Guide Questions & Apply

Driver Requirements

  • There are four (4) things we cannot control: weather, traffic, dogs and other people! We deal with all of that on transport so being communicative, flexible and cooperative is vital to creating a successful transport for both you, the other drivers, and mostly, our passenger
  • No personal animals are allowed on the transport without prior approval from MPVT
  • Family members are welcome to join on transport day. If planning to have kids ride along, we ask that you check with us if this would be appropriate for your particular (animal) passenger
  • On 98% of our transports, we encourage pictures and posts on your social media accounts. However, the 2% are rare cases where the pet or the owner’s safety are at risk. Therefore, we ask that you confirm with the transport monitor before sharing any photos or “stories”
  • Please do not combine any other transports with this transport without discussing it with us
  • Do not volunteer to drive if you are not committed-relay transports can’t work if there is a “missing link” in the chain
  • Do not volunteer to drive if you are not committed to showing up ON TIME on transport day-being on time is critical to keeping the transfer moving smoothly
  • We communicate via FB Messenger- if you do not use Fb Messenger, we can communicate with you via text message-just let us know when you sign up to assist with a transport

Vehicle Musts

  • Air Conditioning is a must when the outside temperature is above 79 degrees.
  • If you prefer fresh air while driving (and the outside temperature is less than 79 degrees), vehicle windows are not to be opened more than 6 inches. This is to prevent a pet from having any opportunity to jump out windows (yes, this has happened!)
  • Transport passengers must ride inside the vehicle. Truck beds or trailers are NOT acceptable.
  • ALL vehicles must have a blanket or sheet covering the area where passenger(s) will be riding.
  • All transport passengers must either ride in a crate or be “tethered.” See this helpful video on how to property tether: Tethering your passenger
  • Animal(s) being transported may never be left unattended in the vehicle for any reason at any time.
  • No texting or video chatting while driving. This is a safety precaution for our drivers as well as our passengers. In most states it is also a law.

Disclaimer

By agreeing to transport, you acknowledge that there are risks involved.
You agree to not hold anyone involved with Many Paws, the rescue, adopter, or other volunteers, responsible should an incident occur with the pet on transport.

A-Z Transport Guide

  • If you have signed up for a NPOG transport, this means it is for a puppy/puppies-please acquaint yourself with the extra precautions that must be taken by watching the NPOG video ( No Paws on the Ground “NPOG”) and asking any other questions to the transport coordinator-these rules must be strictly followed to protect the health of the puppy
  • As transport day approaches, the Facebook messenger “group chat” will be initiated on Fb Messenger
  • If an emergency arises that prevents you from driving, you must notify the transport monitor as soon as possible by “tagging” her in the group chat (with @ monitor’s name) or calling her via her phone number, which is listed on the run sheet.
  • Please be respectful of the entire team that has been assembled. One dropped link breaks the chain!
  • Please be looking for the group chat and say hi to the team-ALL questions, concerns, and issues should be addressed in the group chat from this day forward all the way until after the transport is completed.
  • The run sheet link will be provided to you via email.
  • The transfer locations will typically be listed on the run sheet. You are welcome to pick an alternative meeting location by contacting the other relay drivers or slumber PAWty hosts you are meeting to determine an EXACT meeting location.

This must be a physical address including business name if applicable.  When you have a meeting place determined, please comment in the group chat:

  • Name of public meeting location 
  • Physical address 

Example: Leg 7 meeting Leg 8 First Baptist Church 100 Main St Cleveland OH 02376

A Few Tips on Picking a Meeting Location
  • EASY FREEWAY ACCESS FOR BOTH DRIVERS
  • QUIET! – no gas stations or fast food restaurants
  • NO TRUCK STOPS! They are noisy, busy, and not ideal
  • NO CRACKER BARREL RESTAURANTS! Used by many transport groups and due to the unknown health of many rescue animals, the risk of contagious disease is higher
Prepare your transport equipment ahead of time

These are some of the items that we recommend carrying along with you:  

  • Fresh water and bowl (REQUIRED)
  •  Extra leashes, harnesses and collars (inc. slip leads)
  •  Garbage/ poop pick-up bags 
  •  Protective car seat covering
  •  Cleaning supplies: Paper towels, Sanitizer (we like Simple Green)  
  • Double-check ahead of time to make sure you know how to get to your transfer meeting place to avoid delays or confusion.
  • Please remove trash and other belongings from the area where the animal and/or supplies will ride. This helps keep animals healthy.
  • Make a note of your receiving and transferring driver’s contact information on your cell phone in case of delay or other problems.
  • Make a note of your transport monitor’s cell phone # in case of emergency.
  • Review these great transporting videos:
  • There will be a Many Paws monitor guiding the group chat for the entire transport. If you have questions or concerns, post them in the group chat and the Many Paws monitor will reply
  • It is imperative that you look in on the CHAT first thing in the morning to monitor how the day is going (i.e. is it running on time/ahead of schedule or delayed).
  • Please be considerate of others. We are a team and we need to keep the transport rolling!
  • Engage the child safety auto window lock feature in your vehicle to prevent our passengers from rolling the windows open. Yes, this has happened!
  • Be at your pickup point at least 10 minutes prior to your leave time.
  • Transfer the animals only to the individuals noted on the run sheet. If a different person shows up at the transfer point, contact the transport monitor immediately for verification.
  • Don’t hurry but be aware that we allot approximately 10 minutes for transfer of the animal and its belongings.
  • At each transfer location, BOTH drivers should remain until the animal and its belongings have been safely loaded into the next drivers vehicle.
  • Transfer all belongings and paperwork before handing the animal over to the next driver. This is imperative! Check twice!
  • Treats may be offered at transfer but refrain from giving too many to avoid the possibility of car sickness. Please, only give treats made in the USA! An apple is always a good option!
  • Both drivers should assist in loading the dog into the next vehicle and securing it properly. Be careful! Not all dogs are ok with being handled by strangers! Hats and sunglasses can be scary! Go slow
Walking a Dog During Transport
  • Please remember to DOUBLE-LEASH with one lead secured to the harness and the other being a slip lead around the neck or attached to a separate collar.
  • Loop one hand through one leash and loop the other hand through the other leash and hold firmly.  Even a well-seasoned transporter is vulnerable to a determined dog!
  • Minor Children are not allowed to walk the dogs.  This is a disaster waiting to happen.  
  • When the temperature is high in the area, please use caution- avoid hot asphalt!!!  
Dog Security
  • The harness is NEVER to be removed from the dog. They may or may not also be wearing a collar. Please do NOT remove any collars or harnesses.
  • ALL dogs are required to wear a harness.
  • If you have any questions regarding the fit or appropriateness of any harness, collars, or leashes- contact the transport monitor immediately
  • If riding tethered, the dog should remain double leashed while in the vehicle. See the video Tethering your passenger.
  • If you are using crates, check with your Many Paws Monitor if the leashes are to stay connected to the harness/collar or if they need to be removed while the dog is inside the crate.
Please post in the group chat*:
  • When you have arrived at the transfer location
  • When you have received the animal(s)
  • Let us know…did the animal drink, pee or poop at the transfer point?
  • Let us know… how the pet is acting? Calm? Excited? Panting? Lethargic?
  • Let us know if you have ANY concerns
  • A photo of animal and luggage in your vehicle before you start your leg
  • Let us know…what time do you expect to arrive at next meeting spot (per GPS)
  • Let us know when you have arrived home safely after your transport leg

 * If not on Fb messenger, this info can be texted to the transport monitor

Take a close look at the pet- checking for lumps, bumps, injuries, cuts, skin issues, etc. If you find any concerns, please take a picture, post in group chat and let the monitor know before leaving with the pet. If the pet needs medical attention, it will be most efficient to seek that care before beginning transport.

All dogs must be in their gear before transport begins.

Please verify both harness and collar are fitting properly. (Many Paws may, in some instances, allow the dog to wear a slip lead in place of the collar). Contact the transport monitor right away if there is any question as to the “proper gear” or the fit of the gear provided does not seem appropriate.

Take a picture showing the pet in harness, collar and 2 leashes. Post it in the chat.

Remove the items from the bag(s) and verify everything is in the bags. Take a group photo of the items and post the photo(s) in the chat.

Please note if the bag is a sturdy, reusable bag. If not, please try to secure a sturdy, reusable bag before you begin or post this need in the chat and we will have another driver provide one.

Slumber PAWty Hosting Guidelines

Food & Treats

We must respect pet’s dietary needs and restrictions. Please only feed food provided, snacks provided, and treats provided.

  • The feeding instructions will be listed on the “Run sheet” and also on the food provided. If you do not see them, please reach out to your MPVT monitor for instructions.
  • Please use ONLY the food provided. Some pets may have dietary restrictions.
  • Avoid giving the pet ALL other (animal or human) foods. Pets might be on diet restrictions. This could be a serious or even fatal issue.
  • If you want to feed a special treat, please reach out to the MPVT monitor.
  • Please feed the pet alone, without children or other pets around.’
  • Unless otherwise stated, the pet should be fed its morning meal at least 1 hour before transport is to begin
  • Please, keep the slumber PAWty pet away from pets in the residence, and only introduce the guest upon approval from the MPVT monitor.
  • Pets that are often ok with other pets, can be stressed on transport and stressed at a new home. They need time to decompress. Remember this is not your pet and we do not know how they will react under these circumstances.
  • Please do not leave the pet unattended in a yard (even if fenced).
  • The harness and collar must remain on the pet, even while indoors, unless otherwise instructed by the monitor.
Thank you for reading and understanding what makes Many Paws Volunteer Transport stand out from the others. Thank you for being a part of a winning team!

If you have further questions, contact us:

Email

Email us at manypawsvolunteers@gmail.com

Facebook

Visit us on our Facebook page.

Messenger

Reach out to us on Facebook Messenger. Search Many Paws Volunteer Transport.

Now you’re ready to apply!

Volunteer Application