The dogs RaShann Southard rescues from as far away as San Antonio, Texas, are not bad dogs.
“They are good dogs that no one wants,” she said.
Long an advocate for abused and neglected pets, Southard started Hands of Hope in August. With a network of volunteers spanning the central United States, she helps save dogs slated for euthanation by transporting them to foster families, shelters with space or by seeing they are adopted.
“This is something I wanted to do for a long time,” Southard said. “I just said ‘what the heck.’”
She had been unofficially operating a rescue when she was contacted by people willing to help with the effort. There are now volunteers in Manhattan, Abilene and Wichita.
In addition, there are volunteer drivers who move the dogs relay style from distant locations.
So far, she’s rescued one dog from Mississippi, one from Kansas and four from Texas, including one that was hours away from being put to sleep. They are brought to Kansas where they are boarded in foster homes.
Because of her reputation, she is contacted by shelters that have animals in jeopardy. She then makes arrangements to have them relocated.
Southard is licensed in Kansas for pet rescue. All of her foster families are licensed as well.
All the dogs rescued have their basic veterinary needs taken care of before they are adopted, she said.
The need is great.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year, and approximately 3 million to 4 million are euthanized (60 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats). Shelter intakes are about evenly divided between those animals relinquished by owners and those picked up by animal control. These are national estimates; the percentage of euthanasia may vary from state to state.
About 62 percent of all households in the United States have a pet, the ASPCA reports. About 78.2 million dogs and about 86.4 million cats are owned in the U.S.
The National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy notes that about 65 percent of pet owners acquire their pets free or at low cost.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Southard said.
Now, she is finalizing her non-profit and incorporation status. Money for their efforts will come from fundraisers that are being organized.
Although she is on Facebook, she is also working on developing a website.
For more information, email handsofhope@cox.net or call 620-282-1177.