Transporting is a very important part of Shih Tzus & Furbabies. We can have all the wonderful foster parents possible, but unless we are able to transport these foster babies to their perfect forever home, we are not doing what is best for the babies. Transporting, shelter babies to a much needed foster home depends on transport also. Many furbabies would die in shelters due to local rescues being full and unable to help but thanks to wonderful transporters like you, we are able to save those babies and get them to the proper foster home who will care for them and love them as their very own babies.

To avoid transportation problems or unnecessary stress, we recommend that you read the information below, print it out and keep in on hand to help you prepare for your next transport. Thank you for helping these babies get a second chance in life. They deserve a happy ending, and you are giving that gift to these babies!

Please plan ahead - pups transporting MUST be clean, bathed, fluffed, nails clipped, anals empty, ears fresh and clean. They must do STFBR proud. The only exception is a shelter to foster run. Even shelter dogs should have a capstar tablet the minute they are picked up. Capstar is a pill taken internally that kills fleas within an hour or so... A transporting pup MUST be parasite and flea free and healthy. Please double check to see that all shots are up to date. The time to discuss problems is NOT when you receive the call that your baby has been adopted, or the day before a transport.

-Crate If you don't have one for transport, then see if there are others around you that have one available, do not wait until the last minute to do this...Typically we have a week or two to put a transport together and fill it..so you have plenty of time if you stay organized.

Identification A good tip is to print a photo of the dog and tape it to the backside of a business envelope #10. Write the dog's name, breed, foster name, city, and phone #, and same info for adopter on the envelope, and tape the envelope to the top of the crate. Insert vet records, especially shot records, and instructions, all clearly labelled for that pup, into the envelope. This should NOT be sealed, so transporters have access if needed. Also, everything that goes with the dog - food, dishes, water, collar, leash, etc, should have dogs name and breed - example: Toby/shih tzu (marked with a sharpie). The crate should also be addressed - either with STFBR info, on top, or with yours, if you purchased the crate. The adopter should send it back, to be used again.

Collar Do not use the slip ones attached to the lead. It needs to be a real collar or a harness that the furbaby can wear, all the fosters should be sporting the lovely STFBR ID tags. If your fosters do not have one please talk to your coordinator.

Leash This doesn't need to be anything fancy, if you dont have one, you can typically go to the dollar store and get one. What we have done up north is purchased them on EBAY and they were less than a dollar each and it was a large quantity so we split them. We also have donated collars and leashes available, if you need them. We want our babies to travel with clean and attractive equipment.

Food Please include in a ziplock baggie or container approximately 4-5 days supply of food...We want the forever family to be able to either transition slowly into their premium quality food they use for other dogs, or have a chance to purchase the same food at the pet store. It is always nice to label the food also as to what brand and if it is lamb and rice or fish and potato...etc. If you are sending a puppy, or small or elderly or dog with special needs - I like to send a tube of Nutri-Cal, to be sure the pup gets some nutrition. Write a cautionary comment on the envelope or card you've taped to the crate.. so that the transporters are aware, and notify the transport coordinator and monitor of the situation. Another tip is to send a few favorite treats - and I always send some Nutro Chicken or Lamb and Rice Sticks.. I use them for my own kids when we travel. Good nutrition, and they love them.. We want them to feel familiar in a strange and frightening situation. Do not feed a large meal before a transport - feed later the night before, and feed lightly the morning of transport.

Water This may seem silly, but if it is just a 1 day run, just a bottle of water would be fine. If it is a 2 day run or there are multiple dogs, either a gallon of water or each having a water bottle for each day. In the summer there is a need for more water than in the winter.

Containers Each furbaby needs his own water and food dish. These can be the plastic imitation tupperware dishes that are disposable. I use them and they come with lids so they are easily transportable. Clean margarine containers are also acceptable. If you do alot of transporting, we sometimes have donated small dog dishes that are available upon request.

Vet Records These are very important that you send the vet records with the furbaby in an envelope. These of course should be copies as the originals go to Karen in GA. Make sure that you put the furbabies name on the outside of the envelope.

Mis. If the furbaby has a favorite toy and you are able to send it that would be wonderful. IF the furbaby is on any MEDS send the meds and make sure the instructions for use are clearly marked with the meds. ALSO, the transport coordinator needs to know this information also to share it with the appropriate people on the run. If the furbaby has any special needs or has issues with Crating or doesnt like children or is not housebroken, etc.. Please let the transport coordinator know so that she can share this info and avoid possible problems. If a dog is a runner, or snappy, please mark this clearly on a card taped to the crate, and instruct transporters to leave his leash on while crated, so he is easier to handle. Please discuss this with Meredith, or your coordinator for clarification.

All of the pup's things should be in a secure bag or box. Plastic shoe boxes, or a tote type bag from the dollar store works well to keep all the furbabys things together especially when there are multiple dogs going on the run. Some people use the strong but attractive gift bags, just make sure that everything is clearly labelled. Remember that on a large transport, there may be 4-6 dogs, several hand-offs, and an overnight. Things can get pretty hectic, and we want to make it as easy as possible for the transporters, and make sure everything gets to the new location with the baby. Remember to CLEARLY mark the bag or box with the pup's name, breed, your name and # and the adopter's info. At the end of a transport, if your bag or box is left behind, it makes it easier for the volunteer to figure out who it belongs to, and send it on. Not only do we want to deliver our pup safely, but we want to do it so well, and be so organized, that the volunteers will look forward to driving our babies home.