The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has adopted a resolution that endorses the concept of early-age spay/neuter to stem the overpopulation of cats and dogs. The sponsors of the resolution are convinced that the early-age approach will reduce euthanasia of unwanted pets by preventing unwanted litters and by making shelter policies of spay/neuter before adoption more effective. The resolution states, “Resolved, that AVMA supports the concept of early (8-16 weeks of age) ovariohysterectomies/gonadectomies in dogs and cats, in an effort to stem the overpopulation in these species.”

1. Prior to transport, participating Indiana shelters should load information about their available dogs on the CanINE Express website.   This information should include:  animal’s name, breed, age, gender (whether spayed or neutered; if the spay or neuter surgery cannot be documented and it is believed that the dog has been altered [i.e., possible spay scar], please indicate "possibly" spayed or neutered on website and all paperwork), weight, physical description (including any physical abnormalities), SAFER test scores, and detailed behavior information.  NOTE:  puppies must be 8 weeks or older the week of the transport in order to travel out-of-state, unless traveling with their mother. However, it’s preferable if pups are 12 weeks or older; puppies must have two sets of puppy vaccinations to guard against parvo.
2. IMPORTANT: Once the dog(s) has been selected by the New England shelters, a hold should be placed on him/her for the transport. This hold cannot be removed unless agreed upon by the receiving shelter. Out of courtesy to our receiving shelter partners, since this is a collaborative project, please call or email the contact person at the receiving shelter to ask if the dog can be adopted locally.   With very few exceptions, the receiving shelter partners agree to this because they are anxious for the dog to "go home" as soon as possible.    Five days prior to transport, (or on a date specified by Cathi Eagan in an email message), dogs must be sent on transport, except in the case of illness or behavioral issues.  If a dog is pulled from the transport, it is the responsibility of the Indiana shelter to contact the receiving shelter with the full details (ccing Cathi Eagan). If a dog is pulled after Cathi Eagan has given a date not to adopt a dog out locally, the sending shelter will pay the "per dog rate".    Please do not offer out a replacement to the receiving shelter when a dog has been pulled or adopted locally.  Rather, receiving shelters will go to the CanINE Express website to select a replacement that suits their adoption needs. 
3. The following must be done prior to the transport date:
   
   • HEARTWORM TEST AND PREVENTATIVE:  Each dog over 4 months of age must have a heartworm test. Those who test positive for heartworm cannot ride the transport until they successfully have gone through all phases of the heartworm treatment. Dogs selected for transport also should receive a dose of heartworm preventative.
   • FLEA PREVENTATIVE:  Dogs must be administered a flea preventative, such as Advantage, Frontline, Revolution or Comfortis prior to leaving on the transport.  Capstar is not sufficient.
   • VACCINATIONS:  Adult dogs must have rabies (those over 12 weeks of age), DHLP-P, and bordetella vaccinations before they go on the transport. Also, dogs and puppies going on transport need a minimum of 2 DA2PP vaccines (two weeks apart) before going on the transport. The rabies tag must be sent with the rabies certificate.  
   • IMPORTANT NOTE -- SPECIAL REQUESTS FROM THE RECEIVING SHELTERS:  
   • Dogs and pupppies going to North Country Animal League in Vermont must be treated with Drontil Plus.  
   • Dogs and puppies going to the Cleveland Animal Protective League must have 2 DA2PP or DHLPP vaccines before going to their shelter and the last vaccinine must be given within 10 days prior to transport.   Weights are required for each dog and must be faxed prior to transport, as is the actual SAFER test form with the complete test results (do not just send score numbers e.g., 1 or 2 .... indicate which 1 or 2; be sure to send the toy/rawhide test score, as well as the others).
   • Maine's new laws also require that all transport dogs receive the following vaccines/tests 14 days PRIOR to arrival in the state:   Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Kennel cough, Parvo, and Rabies (if the dog is 12 weeks or older).  Dogs and puppies older than 6 months or older must be tested for heartworm, Lyme, and Ehrlichiosis and have the result noted on the certificate of veterinary inspection. 
   • Dogs going to the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem, Massachusetts must be prescreened for Erlychia, Lyme, and Heatworm with a blood test (combo test).  The NEAS Dog Health Checklist must be completed and faxed to NEAS-Salem prior to transport. 
   • Baypath prefers the 3DX (HW, lyme, ehrlichia) or 4DX (HW, lyme, ehrlichia, anaplasma) test, but if that's not possible then HW is acceptable.
   • All adult dogs and puppies must have a fecal exam 7 - 10 days prior to the transport. If a parasite is found, this provides adequate time for treatment so the animals will arrive in New England parasite-free. If an animal tests positive for coccydia and Marquis Paste is not available through your attending vet, please start traditional treatment with ALBON immediately. Dr. Nancy Ferguson, DVM, suggests treating with a double dose of ALBON for 5 days instead of a double dose on day one followed by a 9 day single dose. The goal is to send dogs who are parasite-free.  Dogs of puppies who test positive for coccydia or giardia must have finished their medication two weeks prior to the transport date and have a clear stool sample.

   • Panacur as a general wormer for a 3-day protocol will increase your odds of a negative fecal exam. Please ask your vet to examine the stool sample under a microscope, rather than using a float to determine parasite loads. Often, you can see things under a microscope that could be missed in a float. Bobbi Allen at Animal Welfare Society (Maine) suggests that IDEXX snap tests be used to detect Giardia since they are the most reliable (as is sending out fecal samples to labs for testing).  

   • Puppies must be vaccinated against distemper and parvovirus upon arrival at the Indiana shelter and then re-vaccinated at 2 or 3-week intervals; puppies must also have a 5-in-1 shot given 10-20 days prior to the transport; puppies must be wormed at 7-day intervals with Strongid-T (no more than 4 doses over a 4-week period are necessary) -- however, they should not be wormed within 24 hours before departure. Puppies who have diarrhea, lethargy, are vomiting, or are not eating 1, 2, or 3 days before transport should not be sent.

   • Dogs over 5 months of age should be SAFER tested to assess their behavior; test results should not be older than 60 days prior to the transport date. The objective of this testing is to ensure that the dog have a friendly, non-aggressive behavior. If the shelter does not have someone trained in SAFER testing, Indiana shelter staff need to ensure (by whatever preferred method of assessment) that they are not sending aggressive dogs on the transport. 

   • Health certificates for interstate transport must be obtained for each dog/puppy prior to the transport date. Make sure that all information is completed on the health certificate (including the product name of the vaccinations and listing the dog’s name in the I.D. column). Please check to make sure that the dog’s breed and age match what is listed on the kennel card and any other paperwork that is being sent to New England shelters.

   • All known health issues should be indicated on the CanINE Express Health Evaluation Form that veterinarians are required to complete at the same time the Health Certificate for Interstate Transport is issued. Any health issues should be reported immediately to the receiving shelters so the shelter staff can make a decision as to whether they want the dog transported.  THE HEALTH EVALUATION FORM IS ATTACHED.
     

   • Dogs who are noticeably underweight (ribs showing, severely underweight for the dog’s size or breed) should not be sent on the transport.  REQUIRED:  If a dog has hair loss or a physical disability, please take a digital photo of the area affected and send it to the receiving shelter who has selected the dog.

1. Indiana shelters are responsible for sending the medical history and behavior test results by either fax or email attachment for each dog to the receiving shelters no later than 2 days after the dog is accepted for the transport.  If any of the required transport protocol (e.g., rabies vaccination, heart worm preventative) isn't going to be given until after the medical history has been faxed, be sure to indicate the date that the missing protocol will be given on the forms faxed to the receiving shelters.  SAFER TEST FORM AND CanINE EXPRESS PUPPY AND ADULT FORMS ARE ATTACHED.  Dogs are only "pre-selected" until the paperwork is reviewed by the New England shelters; after they review the paperwork, the receiving shelter will make final selections.
2. Dogs/puppies who have been spayed or neutered prior to transport should have at least 5-7 days to recover before the transport date.
3. On the night before the transport, dogs/puppies should not be fed after 5:00 p.m.; however, keep them well hydrated by supplying water.
4. On the day of the transport, each dog/puppy should not be running a temperature; he/she must not be lethargic, have diarrhea, or be vomiting; eyes must be clear of discharge or redness, and their skin should be healthy with no lumps/bumps, red or dry patches or missing fur (no mange or ringworm). IMPORTANT: It is the responsibility of each Indiana shelter to walk all adults dogs prior to the arrival of the transport vehicles to ensure that the dogs can ride in comfort for the first 6-7 hours of the trip. At each rest stop, the adult dogs will be walked and given a very small amount of food; the puppies will have their bedding changed (if needed) and given food and water. Once at the receiving shelter, dogs and puppies receive immediate attention – are exercised, fed and given water.
5. Each Indiana shelter sending dogs/puppies must supply their own towels/bedding for the transport crates, as well as a small amount of kibble to feed their puppies/dogs around 6:00 p.m. the day of the transport.
6. Each shelter must supply their own crates. Crates must be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized prior to transport. Dogs should have enough room in their crate to stand up, turn around, and extend their limbs.   Crates must be put together using zip ties vs. screws and bolts, for easy and quick break down after the transport.  Crates should be in good working order and not have broken doors.  Please measure your crates and send the size to Cathi Eagan that matches (or is very close to) the sizes below:

          Small:  21"Lx16"Wx15"H

             Medium: 27"Lx20"Wx19"H

          Intermediate: 32"Lx22"Wx23"H

The future and success of this transport is totally dependent upon your careful compliance with these guidelines.

If you have any questions related to these guidelines, please contact Cathi Eagan at cleagan1950@gmail.com or 812-720-0005. Thank you.