Transcripts
Welcome to Animal Posse, the podcast dedicated to the
2
00:00:05,125 --> 00:00:08,154
people and rescues making a
difference in the lives of animals.
3
00:00:08,411 --> 00:00:10,151
Welcome back to the show everybody.
4
00:00:10,151 --> 00:00:13,631
I am your host, Dixie, and today
we're gonna be talking about the
5
00:00:13,631 --> 00:00:16,241
literal miles people go to save lives.
6
00:00:16,691 --> 00:00:21,341
Our guest is Vicki Johnson-Cain,
a foster coordinator and the
7
00:00:21,341 --> 00:00:24,221
force behind willpower transport.
8
00:00:24,896 --> 00:00:30,536
Vicki founded this mission in memory of
her son William, and today she's sharing
9
00:00:30,536 --> 00:00:36,716
how that legacy of willpower is getting
dogs outta shelters and into loving homes.
10
00:00:36,986 --> 00:00:38,936
Vicki, it's an honor to have you here.
11
00:00:39,518 --> 00:00:40,358
. Vicki: Good to be here.
12
00:00:40,538 --> 00:00:41,648
Dixie: Tell me about yourself.
13
00:00:41,648 --> 00:00:45,458
How did you get involved in
animal rescue, and what do you do?
14
00:00:46,838 --> 00:00:47,348
Vicki: Okay.
15
00:00:47,518 --> 00:00:50,788
My career was in the marine
industry for 40 years,.
16
00:00:50,818 --> 00:00:54,188
But in 2014 I lost my son.
17
00:00:54,708 --> 00:00:58,518
He was 27 years old and we
were both avid dog lovers.
18
00:00:58,518 --> 00:00:59,748
We always had dogs.
19
00:01:00,198 --> 00:01:03,318
So when I lost him part of
the way I dealt with my grief
20
00:01:03,318 --> 00:01:05,288
was I dove into animal rescue.
21
00:01:05,648 --> 00:01:10,928
I started by helping at my local
shelter, they had a weekly dog
22
00:01:10,928 --> 00:01:12,428
run that they did, they call it.
23
00:01:12,508 --> 00:01:13,618
Rescue run club.
24
00:01:13,618 --> 00:01:16,978
So I started that and in fact it
started on his birthday, so the
25
00:01:16,978 --> 00:01:21,148
very first dog I ran with them was
on his birthday, in his memory.
26
00:01:21,198 --> 00:01:25,488
So I've just have done everything
in my son's memory to carry it on.
27
00:01:25,488 --> 00:01:28,498
So I just started out
doing that at the shelter.
28
00:01:28,858 --> 00:01:31,498
And then one thing led to
another and I started getting
29
00:01:31,498 --> 00:01:33,518
involved with different rescues.
30
00:01:33,997 --> 00:01:38,628
And then I stumbled across a friend
of mine that had, had fostered
31
00:01:39,198 --> 00:01:42,858
for take paws, rescue, so I got
involved with them pretty heavily.
32
00:01:44,898 --> 00:01:46,198
Dixie: What do you do with take paws?
33
00:01:47,228 --> 00:01:47,598
Vicki: Okay.
34
00:01:47,598 --> 00:01:48,247
At take paws.
35
00:01:48,318 --> 00:01:53,098
It started out where I just started
doing some I said I wanted to transport
36
00:01:53,098 --> 00:01:58,018
when I retired, so it was like a couple
of years before I retired from my job.
37
00:01:58,413 --> 00:02:02,663
And I worked shift work so I could,
I had one week on, one week off.
38
00:02:02,663 --> 00:02:05,263
So on my week off I would do transports.
39
00:02:05,503 --> 00:02:09,703
So that's how I got involved with take
paws, was just doing transports and then
40
00:02:10,032 --> 00:02:15,573
one thing led to another and I fostered
for them and now I'm a foster coordinator
41
00:02:15,913 --> 00:02:17,833
I've got over 30 dogs under me.
42
00:02:18,103 --> 00:02:22,013
And a group of volunteers that
that work with me , for my group.
43
00:02:22,998 --> 00:02:27,018
Dixie: I'd like to learn a little bit
more about your transports and why.
44
00:02:27,068 --> 00:02:30,068
You decided to go that route
with doing a transport.
45
00:02:30,068 --> 00:02:31,288
'cause that's a difficult thing.
46
00:02:31,288 --> 00:02:33,838
That's a lot of driving
depending on where you're going.
47
00:02:34,348 --> 00:02:39,128
And then I also would like to to talk
more about you being a foster coordinator.
48
00:02:39,128 --> 00:02:43,908
If you can start with the transports and
tell us where have you been and how many
49
00:02:43,908 --> 00:02:46,368
dogs were you transporting at one time?
50
00:02:48,423 --> 00:02:54,363
Vicki: I normally drive between here
and Franklin, Louisiana new Iberia.
51
00:02:54,423 --> 00:02:57,933
I have gone other places too,
but my weekly transport normally
52
00:02:57,933 --> 00:03:00,573
starts out of Crowley, Louisiana.
53
00:03:00,573 --> 00:03:02,913
And I have another lady
that drives with me.
54
00:03:02,913 --> 00:03:08,103
So she starts, she lives out that way
and she starts the transport and normally
55
00:03:08,103 --> 00:03:10,173
meets me around the Morgan City area.
56
00:03:10,208 --> 00:03:16,038
I live in Destrehan, Louisiana, so
I meet them in there and like I said
57
00:03:16,088 --> 00:03:18,418
we, transport for multiple rescues.
58
00:03:18,428 --> 00:03:22,388
Take paws, trampled rose, big easy rescue.
59
00:03:22,488 --> 00:03:25,268
Hail Mary, just multiple rescues, whoever.
60
00:03:25,598 --> 00:03:29,768
Everybody knows that I do this on
Mondays, so if they need a dog out of
61
00:03:29,768 --> 00:03:33,758
that area they'll call me up and ask me
to bring it back to the New Orleans area.
62
00:03:34,328 --> 00:03:37,988
But the reason I started, I
don't really know why I started,.
63
00:03:38,043 --> 00:03:40,903
There was just one day we were
talking, I said, oh, I'm off, every
64
00:03:40,903 --> 00:03:44,203
other week, so I could probably drive,
and I could probably go pick up.
65
00:03:44,563 --> 00:03:47,192
And once I did it, I got hooked.
66
00:03:47,192 --> 00:03:48,603
I really did like doing it.
67
00:03:48,633 --> 00:03:50,783
It's my main thing that I do like to do.
68
00:03:50,783 --> 00:03:54,423
I just feel like given the freedom
ride, I just think that's just
69
00:03:54,423 --> 00:03:58,773
something really good for me to do
in my son's memory that he would
70
00:03:58,773 --> 00:04:00,333
really think that was pretty cool.
71
00:04:01,113 --> 00:04:05,523
But I get a lot of joy out of it because,
they get in the car a little bit scared
72
00:04:05,853 --> 00:04:08,553
and, I play some soft music for 'em.
73
00:04:08,913 --> 00:04:12,163
They each get a new collar
when I pick them up.
74
00:04:12,193 --> 00:04:13,673
And we play the.
75
00:04:13,978 --> 00:04:15,298
Relaxation music.
76
00:04:15,298 --> 00:04:20,878
So normally my rides back to New Orleans
are pretty quiet most of the time.
77
00:04:21,298 --> 00:04:24,138
But it just, by the time we get
there, it just seems like they've
78
00:04:24,138 --> 00:04:27,078
got a big weight lifted off their
shoulder and they just seem a little
79
00:04:27,078 --> 00:04:28,957
bit calmer and they know they're safe.
80
00:04:29,418 --> 00:04:32,568
I really get a lot out of that,
it fills my heart to do that.
81
00:04:34,428 --> 00:04:37,728
Dixie: Now when you say a freedom ride,
I'm imagining because you're pulling
82
00:04:37,728 --> 00:04:40,698
out of these high kill rural shelters.
83
00:04:41,688 --> 00:04:42,258
Vicki: Yes.
84
00:04:42,528 --> 00:04:44,988
Most of the dogs are coming
out of high kill shelters.
85
00:04:44,988 --> 00:04:47,148
Most of them have been
on the euthanasia list.
86
00:04:47,488 --> 00:04:51,263
We do work with some other local
rescues out that way and get some,
87
00:04:51,718 --> 00:04:53,457
surrenders, owner surrenders.
88
00:04:53,818 --> 00:04:57,388
But primarily it is dogs that
we're pulling from the shelters
89
00:04:57,388 --> 00:04:59,468
to get off of the euthanasia list.
90
00:05:00,274 --> 00:05:02,074
Dixie: And how many do you do at one time?
91
00:05:03,194 --> 00:05:04,984
Vicki: That it just depends on the week.
92
00:05:04,984 --> 00:05:09,664
I've had up to 15 dogs in my car.
93
00:05:09,664 --> 00:05:13,544
Now I have a CX five Mazda crossover car.
94
00:05:13,574 --> 00:05:17,734
I they say I play Crate Tetris
to get all the crates in.
95
00:05:18,214 --> 00:05:21,274
So it just depends on the size
of the dogs, how many dogs I
96
00:05:21,274 --> 00:05:24,014
can actually, fit in my vehicle.
97
00:05:24,629 --> 00:05:28,619
Dixie: Yeah, you must be really good at
playing the Tetris then if you can fit 15.
98
00:05:28,619 --> 00:05:29,639
And that's a lot.
99
00:05:30,269 --> 00:05:30,899
Vicki: Yeah.
100
00:05:30,899 --> 00:05:31,829
That it is.
101
00:05:32,619 --> 00:05:35,229
Sometimes if it's a litter,
life is a life though.
102
00:05:35,558 --> 00:05:38,058
But we can put, some
in the crates together.
103
00:05:38,058 --> 00:05:42,579
But but mostly on Sunday nights
I go through the list and try
104
00:05:42,579 --> 00:05:47,319
to figure out my configuration
and, to make sure it's gonna fit.
105
00:05:47,469 --> 00:05:52,889
And sometimes . It gets close because
the dogs they say is 20 pounds is
106
00:05:52,889 --> 00:05:57,504
really 35 pounds, and that makes a big
difference in the crate, so I have had
107
00:05:57,554 --> 00:06:01,174
some oops moments where, I didn't know
if we were gonna fit everything in.
108
00:06:01,174 --> 00:06:02,644
And there's been a couple of times where.
109
00:06:03,189 --> 00:06:06,659
A dog had to , run shotgun
and sit in the passenger seat.
110
00:06:06,659 --> 00:06:10,709
And I don't like to do that too often
just because they're coming straight
111
00:06:10,709 --> 00:06:14,099
outta the shelter and you don't really,
know the temperament of the dog.
112
00:06:14,099 --> 00:06:18,849
So I like to keep 'em contained in a
kennel and not running loose in the car.
113
00:06:18,849 --> 00:06:23,699
But there have been a couple of
times we've had to pick the calmest
114
00:06:23,699 --> 00:06:27,599
dog to sit in the front seat,
because we ran outta crate space,
115
00:06:27,639 --> 00:06:28,689
Normally it works.
116
00:06:28,879 --> 00:06:31,579
Dixie: You said that you
play relaxation music.
117
00:06:31,579 --> 00:06:33,829
How did you come to start doing that?
118
00:06:33,829 --> 00:06:37,729
Did you try like different music or
was that a recommendation by somebody?
119
00:06:38,459 --> 00:06:40,009
, Vicki: In the shelter on in St.
120
00:06:40,009 --> 00:06:43,649
Charles Parish, they used to play
that in the in the kennels, and.
121
00:06:44,744 --> 00:06:48,274
While the the animals in the shelter,
it just seemed like it did calm
122
00:06:48,274 --> 00:06:51,694
'em a lot, so I just tried doing
it in the car, and it does work.
123
00:06:51,704 --> 00:06:52,754
I swear by it.
124
00:06:53,154 --> 00:06:56,464
Some people like to play other music,
but, that's what I end up playing.
125
00:06:56,514 --> 00:06:59,494
And it just seems to calm 'em down,
'cause they're a little stressed out
126
00:06:59,494 --> 00:07:00,789
when you first get 'em in the kennel.
127
00:07:01,684 --> 00:07:05,974
Dixie: It's funny that you say that
too because a while back I purchased
128
00:07:06,004 --> 00:07:09,484
this pet relaxation music device.
129
00:07:10,244 --> 00:07:12,074
It's this little thing that
you can put on the counter.
130
00:07:12,074 --> 00:07:15,284
You press it and it plays the
music , you could set it like 15
131
00:07:15,284 --> 00:07:17,534
minutes, 30 minutes, 45 minutes.
132
00:07:17,534 --> 00:07:18,989
It's got all the sounds on it.
133
00:07:19,244 --> 00:07:19,754
Yeah.
134
00:07:19,754 --> 00:07:20,174
Yeah.
135
00:07:20,174 --> 00:07:23,824
But and it's got like meditative
music and I got correct.
136
00:07:24,064 --> 00:07:29,234
I do the cat rescue and at the time we
had in a cat and he was very stressed.
137
00:07:29,584 --> 00:07:32,824
Sometimes when the cats get stressed,
they like to go on the floor.
138
00:07:33,394 --> 00:07:35,614
We were trying to solve
that behavior problem.
139
00:07:35,614 --> 00:07:38,194
So I said, you know what, I'm
gonna get it and I'm gonna try it.
140
00:07:38,194 --> 00:07:40,904
And it seems so stupid
at first, but it worked.
141
00:07:41,294 --> 00:07:42,164
It actually works.
142
00:07:42,169 --> 00:07:42,308
Oh, it
143
00:07:42,344 --> 00:07:43,154
Vicki: definitely does.
144
00:07:43,494 --> 00:07:45,564
People laugh at me when they
hear them, they're like, what?
145
00:07:45,564 --> 00:07:46,854
And I'm like, I'm okay.
146
00:07:46,904 --> 00:07:47,534
Try it.
147
00:07:47,894 --> 00:07:48,824
It works.
148
00:07:49,094 --> 00:07:54,429
But yeah I do that and, and we normally
end up coming back to New Orleans and,
149
00:07:54,799 --> 00:07:56,479
some people meet me in New Orleans.
150
00:07:56,479 --> 00:07:57,819
I'll stop in Metaire.
151
00:07:57,949 --> 00:08:02,989
Just various stops just depending on
what rescue I'm transporting from.
152
00:08:03,989 --> 00:08:05,279
How long, but does it like the
153
00:08:05,279 --> 00:08:05,669
Dixie: entire
154
00:08:05,674 --> 00:08:05,814
Vicki: trip
155
00:08:05,814 --> 00:08:06,054
Dixie: take.
156
00:08:07,304 --> 00:08:12,369
Vicki: The entire trip, usually I
leave my house normally around 10:00
157
00:08:12,369 --> 00:08:19,754
AM the meetup time is usually in Morgan
City area around noon, once I get
158
00:08:19,754 --> 00:08:21,754
into Morgan City, , we don't rush it.
159
00:08:21,754 --> 00:08:25,154
We take our time , to transfer
the animals from one crate to
160
00:08:25,154 --> 00:08:29,024
another, and we like to take their
picture and give 'em a new collar.
161
00:08:29,024 --> 00:08:31,964
When we do all that and get
'em loaded up in my car.
162
00:08:31,964 --> 00:08:34,994
So it normally takes about
an hour for us to do that.
163
00:08:35,813 --> 00:08:38,164
And then I head back to New Orleans.
164
00:08:38,164 --> 00:08:44,964
But after I'll usually stay at,
take paws and help with the intake
165
00:08:44,974 --> 00:08:47,064
of the dogs that I get for them.
166
00:08:47,274 --> 00:08:50,214
I help with , the vaccinations
and, holding the dogs and
167
00:08:50,514 --> 00:08:51,714
getting 'em all settled.
168
00:08:52,014 --> 00:08:57,374
And then a lot of times if I'm bringing
any dogs back to my area for fosters, then
169
00:08:57,374 --> 00:09:00,614
I end up bringing the dogs to the foster.
170
00:09:01,534 --> 00:09:05,434
Meeting doing the introductions with
their animals if they have dogs.
171
00:09:05,824 --> 00:09:11,634
So sometimes, my day doesn't end until
six o'clock and I've had even days where
172
00:09:11,634 --> 00:09:15,534
I didn't even end until eight o'clock, and
then I've gotta unload my car, disinfect
173
00:09:15,534 --> 00:09:17,994
the crates, and wash all the linens.
174
00:09:18,274 --> 00:09:21,154
So it's a whole day affair every Monday.
175
00:09:23,289 --> 00:09:27,639
Dixie: How is it that you went
from doing the transports to
176
00:09:27,639 --> 00:09:28,599
being a foster coordinator?
177
00:09:29,491 --> 00:09:34,591
Vicki: There was this one
dog named Neo that was at St.
178
00:09:34,591 --> 00:09:36,061
Mary's Shelter.
179
00:09:36,601 --> 00:09:41,281
And when I would come on my transport
each week, I would see the same dog with
180
00:09:41,281 --> 00:09:46,771
a little bandana on just staring at me
in the kennel when I would walk through
181
00:09:46,801 --> 00:09:48,031
to see if there were any dogs that.
182
00:09:48,691 --> 00:09:50,731
The take paws might be interested in.
183
00:09:51,481 --> 00:09:54,391
And this one dog just kept staring at me.
184
00:09:54,391 --> 00:09:58,731
He was a little, bully
mix and I'm a bully lover.
185
00:09:59,241 --> 00:10:02,631
And he was a little brindle bully and
he just kept looking at me and I'm
186
00:10:02,631 --> 00:10:04,221
just like, we need to save this dog.
187
00:10:04,221 --> 00:10:05,421
We gotta save this dog.
188
00:10:05,961 --> 00:10:10,951
And so finally it was it was
like a Christmas Eve and I said,
189
00:10:10,951 --> 00:10:14,401
look if we don't get a foster for
this dog, I'm pulling this dog.
190
00:10:14,401 --> 00:10:15,571
I'm gonna foster it.
191
00:10:16,201 --> 00:10:17,911
So I did and I failed.
192
00:10:19,051 --> 00:10:22,681
So Neo is mine, but that's
how I started fostering.
193
00:10:22,731 --> 00:10:27,201
. At that time, that gave me four dogs, and
I'm like I don't think I can handle it.
194
00:10:27,261 --> 00:10:30,281
Fostering a dog with four pit
bulls already in my house.
195
00:10:30,661 --> 00:10:36,701
I started by helping that applications
and, helping another coordinator.
196
00:10:37,001 --> 00:10:41,501
And then again, one thing led to another
and it's why don't you just, just try
197
00:10:41,501 --> 00:10:45,040
to take a couple of dogs and it started
out where I was not gonna have any more
198
00:10:45,040 --> 00:10:50,261
than 10 dogs, and now I have 25 to 30, so
199
00:10:51,461 --> 00:10:52,061
Dixie: Wow.
200
00:10:52,331 --> 00:10:52,736
That's a lot.
201
00:10:54,131 --> 00:10:55,391
Vicki: Yeah it is a lot.
202
00:10:55,471 --> 00:11:02,061
We have multiple coordinators and,
it's just times are really, it's crazy.
203
00:11:02,061 --> 00:11:03,531
It's just never ending right now.
204
00:11:03,531 --> 00:11:05,811
And every one of us have about that many.
205
00:11:05,811 --> 00:11:06,861
It's just crazy.
206
00:11:07,191 --> 00:11:12,021
But, the dogs are all in foster homes and
trying to look for their forever homes.
207
00:11:12,021 --> 00:11:16,081
And, I stay pretty involved with
my fosters and try to go over there
208
00:11:16,081 --> 00:11:19,681
and take pictures and, we have some
outings together to make it like a
209
00:11:19,681 --> 00:11:22,351
group and, just to try to make it fun.
210
00:11:22,351 --> 00:11:23,051
'cause it, it can be.
211
00:11:23,866 --> 00:11:24,616
Hard on your heart.
212
00:11:24,616 --> 00:11:28,126
Some days, you get so attached
to these dogs and you wanna
213
00:11:28,126 --> 00:11:29,326
see them get a good home.
214
00:11:29,326 --> 00:11:32,636
And some days you think you
found that home and only to
215
00:11:32,636 --> 00:11:34,946
find out that it really wasn't.
216
00:11:34,946 --> 00:11:37,226
And then you've gotta keep on looking.
217
00:11:37,706 --> 00:11:38,836
But that's how I did.
218
00:11:38,836 --> 00:11:41,406
But , it's a tough one
because, there's just a lot of.
219
00:11:42,161 --> 00:11:44,711
Of pieces to the foster coordinating.
220
00:11:44,711 --> 00:11:48,311
You're not only just working, you're
finding the dogs, you're finding a
221
00:11:48,311 --> 00:11:53,261
foster father, the dog, you're going
over all the applications for that dog.
222
00:11:53,681 --> 00:11:58,091
And once the dog does get adopted,
you're really not finished because.
223
00:11:58,721 --> 00:12:03,011
If it's a puppy, then you gotta follow
it through, until it gets spayed or
224
00:12:03,011 --> 00:12:04,901
neutered when they're six months old.
225
00:12:05,121 --> 00:12:07,741
Pretty much, it's a six
month commitment whenever you
226
00:12:07,961 --> 00:12:09,811
Foster coordinate for puppies.
227
00:12:10,231 --> 00:12:15,581
And if anybody has an issue with their
dog after it's been adopted, they
228
00:12:15,581 --> 00:12:17,291
come back to the foster coordinator.
229
00:12:17,291 --> 00:12:19,701
So it's a lot of responsibility.
230
00:12:20,489 --> 00:12:24,779
Dixie: With doing the foster coordinating,
you said that you review the application,
231
00:12:24,779 --> 00:12:28,149
so , are you the one that actually
approves the adoption applications?
232
00:12:29,644 --> 00:12:30,964
Vicki: We have a lot to do with it.
233
00:12:31,064 --> 00:12:35,314
The director of the rescue has say
so in things too, but we do have a
234
00:12:35,314 --> 00:12:39,334
lot to do with it because we know
the dogs, I get my fosters involved
235
00:12:39,334 --> 00:12:43,284
heavily in, all the process because
they know the dog better than I do.
236
00:12:43,674 --> 00:12:47,094
So once I do the vet checks and.
237
00:12:47,624 --> 00:12:51,764
Do the home checks and kind of
talk, talk to the applicant.
238
00:12:52,154 --> 00:12:57,694
Then the next step is I have the foster
call them and let them talk about the dog
239
00:12:57,694 --> 00:12:59,974
to make sure this is gonna be a good fit.
240
00:13:00,244 --> 00:13:03,844
And then we set up a meet and
greet and that's all done by
241
00:13:03,844 --> 00:13:06,154
the foster most of the time.
242
00:13:06,604 --> 00:13:07,234
And then.
243
00:13:10,409 --> 00:13:13,439
Then we either get an adoption
or we keep on looking.
244
00:13:14,159 --> 00:13:14,789
So how many
245
00:13:14,789 --> 00:13:16,949
Dixie: fosters are under you?
246
00:13:19,259 --> 00:13:23,639
Vicki: I guess I have probably about 20
247
00:13:25,829 --> 00:13:27,074
that at any given time.
248
00:13:27,579 --> 00:13:31,539
I guess right now I've got 25
because each one has one, one dog.
249
00:13:31,539 --> 00:13:32,589
. I live Destrehan and St.
250
00:13:32,589 --> 00:13:36,309
Charles Parish, so most of my
fosters all lived out this way.
251
00:13:36,609 --> 00:13:40,479
And it's funny I'm a pitbull girl
and I love pit bulls, but most of my
252
00:13:40,479 --> 00:13:42,759
fosters are all little dog people.
253
00:13:42,759 --> 00:13:47,559
So most of the dogs I'm pulling under me
are small dogs, which I think is funny.
254
00:13:47,844 --> 00:13:52,124
Dixie: When you pull the dogs are you
primarily looking then in these like
255
00:13:52,124 --> 00:13:54,524
rural shelters that you transport from?
256
00:13:55,694 --> 00:13:56,294
Vicki: Yes.
257
00:13:56,344 --> 00:14:00,724
We, we just look at the Facebook all
the time just different posts from
258
00:14:01,134 --> 00:14:06,294
from the different shelters, from
different sites, different pages of
259
00:14:06,344 --> 00:14:08,054
people looking to rehome their dogs.
260
00:14:08,424 --> 00:14:12,444
, If I've got an available foster and I
see a dog that looks like their type,
261
00:14:13,074 --> 00:14:18,024
then, that's what I'm gonna try to
pull, just because I know that I've got
262
00:14:18,024 --> 00:14:20,354
somebody that'll take that type of dog.
263
00:14:20,564 --> 00:14:24,654
I wouldn't pull a bunch of pit bulls
and then i've got Chihuahua fosters.
264
00:14:24,964 --> 00:14:29,604
So it just depends on what
we see and, who's available
265
00:14:29,964 --> 00:14:31,974
of what dog we have room for.
266
00:14:32,244 --> 00:14:36,254
If we see a few dogs that we don't
have a foster far, then we've got a
267
00:14:36,254 --> 00:14:42,324
foster page for take, paws, and we'll
post it on there looking for a foster
268
00:14:42,744 --> 00:14:46,524
and, sometimes that's how you get
a new foster on your board then is,
269
00:14:46,804 --> 00:14:48,364
once they say, I'll take that dog.
270
00:14:48,364 --> 00:14:52,064
And then it's we can only take it if we
have a foster coordinator to handle it.
271
00:14:52,064 --> 00:14:55,964
So then that way that's how
you end up getting new fosters.
272
00:14:56,744 --> 00:14:59,744
Dixie: Yeah, and I know finding
fosters can be quite challenging.
273
00:15:01,299 --> 00:15:02,414
Vicki: It is.
274
00:15:02,504 --> 00:15:03,479
It's quite challenging.
275
00:15:05,034 --> 00:15:07,854
Just the same as just
finding people, to adopt.
276
00:15:07,854 --> 00:15:12,564
It's the whole process is challenging,
but we desperately need more fosters, we
277
00:15:12,564 --> 00:15:17,704
need more people to help these animals
it's just the numbers are growing,
278
00:15:17,704 --> 00:15:23,214
and , even now it just seems like there's
a lot of, people that are possibly
279
00:15:23,214 --> 00:15:28,374
leaving the country and they're having
to get rid of their animals before
280
00:15:28,374 --> 00:15:30,734
they head back to their home country.
281
00:15:31,124 --> 00:15:36,669
And we've seen an upswing in that as well,
but it's just the owner surrenders are.
282
00:15:37,644 --> 00:15:38,664
Unbelievable.
283
00:15:38,764 --> 00:15:42,034
It's just unbelievable since
COVID, everybody got dogs when
284
00:15:42,034 --> 00:15:43,174
they couldn't go anywhere.
285
00:15:43,174 --> 00:15:47,494
And now that, things opened up,
it just seems oh we're too busy.
286
00:15:47,774 --> 00:15:54,114
My job has me too busy and we can't
give time to the dog, I'm having a baby.
287
00:15:54,114 --> 00:15:54,834
I'm moving.
288
00:15:54,834 --> 00:15:55,824
Can't take the dog.
289
00:15:56,154 --> 00:15:57,294
It's just never ending.
290
00:15:59,364 --> 00:16:02,964
Dixie: What do you think is the most
successful way to find a new foster?
291
00:16:04,334 --> 00:16:07,814
Vicki: I use social media a lot,
since I've been transporting.
292
00:16:08,234 --> 00:16:12,614
A lot of people have started following
my page and so sometimes I'll put
293
00:16:12,614 --> 00:16:16,014
it out on my personal page and I'll
get, some people that I didn't even
294
00:16:16,014 --> 00:16:17,364
know were following me, actually.
295
00:16:17,364 --> 00:16:19,194
And they'll reach out
and say they wanna help.
296
00:16:19,674 --> 00:16:24,084
And so I use social media a lot
and, just word of mouth too.
297
00:16:24,084 --> 00:16:26,214
A a lot of my friends are, dog lovers.
298
00:16:26,214 --> 00:16:29,574
That's how I've managed
to build up my team.
299
00:16:31,104 --> 00:16:34,824
Dixie: What are you doing to primarily get
'em adopted or get seen to get adopted?
300
00:16:34,824 --> 00:16:37,489
Do you do like adoption events
or Primarily social media.
301
00:16:39,084 --> 00:16:41,584
Vicki: Both, we have
numerous adoption events.
302
00:16:41,584 --> 00:16:43,924
In fact, this week I
think we have five events.
303
00:16:44,434 --> 00:16:50,104
And then sometimes I'll even get my
fosters together and we'll go to a local
304
00:16:50,164 --> 00:16:55,054
dog friendly bar and just have a little
get together and we'll bring our dogs.
305
00:16:55,414 --> 00:16:56,824
I take a lot of pictures.
306
00:16:56,824 --> 00:17:00,304
I post a lot of pictures of
the dogs that I'm fostering.
307
00:17:00,304 --> 00:17:04,773
I don't foster too often just because
, I'm usually on the road and it's hard.
308
00:17:05,243 --> 00:17:09,344
But I lost a couple of my dogs
this year, so , I have taken
309
00:17:09,344 --> 00:17:11,364
in three puppies since then.
310
00:17:11,723 --> 00:17:12,654
But normally I don't.
311
00:17:12,719 --> 00:17:15,239
Foster too much, but the need is there.
312
00:17:15,299 --> 00:17:21,569
And I felt like I had a little
space in my home that I could try.
313
00:17:22,319 --> 00:17:27,809
But yeah, we use a lot of social
media though, and it's getting hard.
314
00:17:28,089 --> 00:17:32,659
I'm having some trouble on my social media
right now, just like trying to tag people.
315
00:17:32,819 --> 00:17:36,459
I'm running into some issues, so it's
getting it's getting hard to, to spread
316
00:17:36,459 --> 00:17:40,619
the word, because I was in Facebook
jail there last week for a while.
317
00:17:40,859 --> 00:17:42,959
In fact, I still can't tag companies.
318
00:17:43,079 --> 00:17:44,339
It won't let me do it.
319
00:17:44,339 --> 00:17:45,999
So I don't know, I
guess I'm still in jail.
320
00:17:47,737 --> 00:17:52,927
Dixie: Do you have any incredible
foster success stories of a dog
321
00:17:52,927 --> 00:17:56,377
that maybe came from a really bad
situation and got the perfect home?
322
00:17:58,807 --> 00:17:59,642
Vicki: Oh I just had one.
323
00:17:59,642 --> 00:18:00,542
It was awesome.
324
00:18:00,962 --> 00:18:02,252
There was this little.
325
00:18:02,687 --> 00:18:07,677
Scruffy dog I saw advertised on,
that somebody had found in the
326
00:18:07,677 --> 00:18:09,567
sugar cane fields in New Iberia.
327
00:18:10,287 --> 00:18:14,817
And I looked at this dog and I'm
like, oh my gosh, this dog is crazy.
328
00:18:14,817 --> 00:18:19,087
He was I don't think I've ever seen a
dog that looked like him, he looked like.
329
00:18:19,802 --> 00:18:20,522
A ewok.
330
00:18:21,032 --> 00:18:23,552
And so I said, I've got to have this dog.
331
00:18:23,552 --> 00:18:24,722
He's just so ugly.
332
00:18:24,722 --> 00:18:27,862
He's cute, and so we
found a foster for him.
333
00:18:28,402 --> 00:18:30,282
And we named him Wicket.
334
00:18:31,272 --> 00:18:35,082
And he just turned out
to be the coolest dog.
335
00:18:35,562 --> 00:18:39,432
But he got adopted by, in January.
336
00:18:39,432 --> 00:18:42,882
He got adopted in
January by a couple that.
337
00:18:43,722 --> 00:18:48,792
Lives in Long Island, New
York, and they also have a home
338
00:18:48,792 --> 00:18:50,112
here in the French Quarter.
339
00:18:51,042 --> 00:18:54,562
But Wicket was just a little
bit too big to put on the plane.
340
00:18:54,562 --> 00:18:57,782
He's 25 pounds or 27 pounds.
341
00:18:58,052 --> 00:18:59,012
So he is a little bit too big.
342
00:18:59,012 --> 00:19:00,482
He's too big to fit under the seat.
343
00:19:01,012 --> 00:19:04,332
We had to look for ground
transport to get him up there.
344
00:19:04,972 --> 00:19:07,342
We had it scheduled for him to leave.
345
00:19:07,372 --> 00:19:12,462
And with all these weather
systems that we had recently the
346
00:19:12,492 --> 00:19:14,862
transport kept getting delayed.
347
00:19:14,922 --> 00:19:21,222
So wicket went through four different
fosters to keep him here safe while he
348
00:19:21,282 --> 00:19:23,502
was waiting to get to his real family.
349
00:19:23,982 --> 00:19:28,582
And, finally after two months
we got him there last week.
350
00:19:28,582 --> 00:19:30,022
We got him there last week.
351
00:19:30,112 --> 00:19:33,502
And this dog is living the life now.
352
00:19:33,502 --> 00:19:34,732
They're sending pictures.
353
00:19:34,732 --> 00:19:38,512
He's on the beach roaming
the beach and he's got furry
354
00:19:38,512 --> 00:19:40,822
friends and they just love him.
355
00:19:41,112 --> 00:19:42,432
I guess it was worth the wait.
356
00:19:42,432 --> 00:19:48,812
So he's gonna be one of my favorites and,
there was another dog, his name was Chico,
357
00:19:49,802 --> 00:19:56,852
and he was found I think like around
right around Christmas time and it was
358
00:19:56,852 --> 00:20:00,482
another new Iberia dog and he was found.
359
00:20:01,127 --> 00:20:05,707
Running with a female dog and
they were about like a year old.
360
00:20:06,157 --> 00:20:11,037
And the female dog got adopted real
quick and then Chico, he was a mountain
361
00:20:11,037 --> 00:20:13,407
cur mix and he was the funnest.
362
00:20:13,457 --> 00:20:14,477
He was just crazy.
363
00:20:14,527 --> 00:20:16,477
He would just make you
smile to look at him.
364
00:20:17,017 --> 00:20:18,267
And we.
365
00:20:19,077 --> 00:20:24,197
Tried and tried to get this dog
a home and it just took forever.
366
00:20:24,557 --> 00:20:29,207
And finally after about two years,
he was wild hard to walk with.
367
00:20:29,207 --> 00:20:36,067
And I always said that he needed somebody
very active or like a runner and.
368
00:20:36,477 --> 00:20:42,287
Finally one of the girls that volunteers
with us asked if she could go pick up
369
00:20:42,287 --> 00:20:46,187
Chico and start taking him for this
run club that she was belonged to.
370
00:20:46,187 --> 00:20:47,297
And I'm like, oh, that's great.
371
00:20:47,297 --> 00:20:48,317
I think that's perfect.
372
00:20:48,807 --> 00:20:52,437
She started running with him
and she ended up adopted him.
373
00:20:52,497 --> 00:20:57,227
And this dog is just as happy as can
be and he's running in the run club.
374
00:20:57,227 --> 00:20:58,397
They all love him There.
375
00:20:58,802 --> 00:21:01,742
And, he ended up exactly where
he was supposed to be, but he
376
00:21:01,742 --> 00:21:03,152
was one of my favorite dogs.
377
00:21:03,152 --> 00:21:07,422
And we had just a hard time,
keeping him on with a volunteer.
378
00:21:07,792 --> 00:21:09,412
He went through a couple of volunteers.
379
00:21:09,412 --> 00:21:13,412
We even tried him in boarding where
I could, get to him and take him
380
00:21:13,412 --> 00:21:15,572
out on more outings to get him seen.
381
00:21:15,572 --> 00:21:19,752
And finally he landed the home
that, that he really needed.
382
00:21:19,752 --> 00:21:22,312
And so he's another one of my favorites.
383
00:21:23,832 --> 00:21:27,082
Dixie: That's amazing and that's
great too, that it was a volunteer
384
00:21:27,112 --> 00:21:29,812
'cause, I know with a volunteer
you'll be able to see 'em.
385
00:21:29,812 --> 00:21:31,972
You'll be able to get the updates,
even though you're getting the
386
00:21:31,972 --> 00:21:33,172
updates from the other one too.
387
00:21:33,172 --> 00:21:35,152
It just still makes it a
little bit more special.
388
00:21:35,902 --> 00:21:36,652
Vicki: Oh, absolutely.
389
00:21:36,652 --> 00:21:39,362
I get to see him all the time, I
think if I didn't have four dogs,
390
00:21:39,362 --> 00:21:40,742
I would've adopted it myself.
391
00:21:40,772 --> 00:21:42,212
'cause I just love this dog.
392
00:21:42,692 --> 00:21:46,672
And sometimes he even comes to some
of our events and we have this bond.
393
00:21:46,702 --> 00:21:51,722
'cause I used to take him out a lot
and they remember . Like even with the
394
00:21:51,722 --> 00:21:56,522
transports, I see dogs after a transport
and I really do think they remember you.
395
00:21:56,852 --> 00:22:00,122
They remember that you saved them,
that you gave them that ride.
396
00:22:01,722 --> 00:22:05,412
Dixie: I have to ask, with you being
so close to some of these dogs, are you
397
00:22:05,412 --> 00:22:07,902
picky about selecting an adopter for 'em?
398
00:22:09,932 --> 00:22:10,802
Vicki: I think so.
399
00:22:10,862 --> 00:22:15,452
I think I am I know their story
and, we don't wanna fail them again.
400
00:22:15,542 --> 00:22:19,132
And that reminds me of another one
that I'm struggling with right now.
401
00:22:19,132 --> 00:22:22,692
And in fact I was part of a rescue.
402
00:22:24,717 --> 00:22:29,237
A week ago with a hoarding case and
with Alyssa Muse, and I know you've had
403
00:22:29,237 --> 00:22:34,117
her on your show with , it was like a
chihuahua hoarding case and cruelty case.
404
00:22:34,627 --> 00:22:38,757
And one of the dogs that I got
from that, that I had tagged we
405
00:22:38,757 --> 00:22:44,547
had named her lavender and she
was totally emaciated and scared.
406
00:22:44,547 --> 00:22:45,087
Scared.
407
00:22:45,627 --> 00:22:46,617
And I had a.
408
00:22:47,777 --> 00:22:51,137
Approved adopter in mind for
her that was looking for.
409
00:22:52,052 --> 00:22:52,832
Exactly.
410
00:22:52,892 --> 00:22:54,302
A dog that looked like her.
411
00:22:54,692 --> 00:22:57,112
And I felt this was a calm home.
412
00:22:57,112 --> 00:23:00,712
It was a, single lady that
would be a good fit for her.
413
00:23:00,762 --> 00:23:03,967
'Cause she didn't need a, a home
that has a lot of traffic going
414
00:23:03,967 --> 00:23:07,267
through, just coming from the
situation that she came from.
415
00:23:07,267 --> 00:23:09,602
You want a little calmer
atmosphere for them to.
416
00:23:10,012 --> 00:23:12,402
Decompress and learn to trust again.
417
00:23:12,882 --> 00:23:16,622
And she was doing really
good in her foster home.
418
00:23:17,042 --> 00:23:18,572
We was putting some weight on her.
419
00:23:18,622 --> 00:23:19,702
Just in a week's time.
420
00:23:19,702 --> 00:23:21,742
She made a transformation
you wouldn't believe.
421
00:23:22,222 --> 00:23:26,462
And the lady that I had in
mind did want to adopt her.
422
00:23:27,032 --> 00:23:29,972
So we got her there.
423
00:23:30,072 --> 00:23:37,272
Got her to the lady and, not even
an hour after she had her, I was
424
00:23:37,272 --> 00:23:41,862
getting a phone call that they didn't
feel they were ready to adopt yet.
425
00:23:42,942 --> 00:23:47,852
And I just was crushed because I thought
this was the perfect home, for this dog.
426
00:23:47,902 --> 00:23:52,842
And now she's coming back and I just
felt like, she's been failed again.
427
00:23:52,892 --> 00:23:56,242
So I think, the next home will
I be a little bit pickier.
428
00:23:56,632 --> 00:24:02,217
Probably just because I feel I owe it
to this dog, if that makes any sense.
429
00:24:02,217 --> 00:24:06,507
But,, I felt bad that , she
went through this temporary.
430
00:24:07,152 --> 00:24:09,452
Journey, and then ended up coming back.
431
00:24:09,782 --> 00:24:14,702
But thankfully she came back to the foster
that she was starting to grow comfortable
432
00:24:14,702 --> 00:24:16,842
with and so it didn't seem to phase her.
433
00:24:16,842 --> 00:24:19,872
And dogs are amazing how they
adjust much better than people do.
434
00:24:20,702 --> 00:24:24,002
We hold grudges and dogs
just are so forgiving.
435
00:24:24,002 --> 00:24:25,262
It's just amazing.
436
00:24:26,057 --> 00:24:29,397
Dixie: Yeah at least they thought that
it wasn't gonna work out and they did
437
00:24:29,397 --> 00:24:32,787
return her back, and that's good that
she was able to go back with her foster.
438
00:24:32,787 --> 00:24:36,837
But I totally understand that because
I think what a lot of people don't
439
00:24:36,837 --> 00:24:40,497
understand when they're going to
adopt an animal, specifically from a
440
00:24:40,497 --> 00:24:46,792
foster based rescue, is how much time
fosters put in with these animals.
441
00:24:47,607 --> 00:24:49,002
You know when these
animals Oh, absolutely.
442
00:24:49,002 --> 00:24:51,512
Are when they're sick, they're
up all night with them.
443
00:24:51,572 --> 00:24:56,432
They're worrying about them, and
so you wanna make sure that they
444
00:24:56,432 --> 00:24:59,942
are gonna go to a home that gives
them the same amount of care,
445
00:25:00,062 --> 00:25:01,562
Vicki: oh, absolutely.
446
00:25:01,612 --> 00:25:03,472
We've taken them from a bad situation.
447
00:25:03,472 --> 00:25:05,752
We don't want them to
return to a situation.
448
00:25:05,992 --> 00:25:08,727
I know people have said,
oh, there's so many animals.
449
00:25:08,727 --> 00:25:09,867
Why are you being so picky?
450
00:25:09,897 --> 00:25:13,107
That's exactly why we're being
so picky, because, they've been
451
00:25:13,107 --> 00:25:17,137
failed before, and and they've been
mistreated and they deserve better.
452
00:25:17,687 --> 00:25:22,037
Dixie: Before we end the call, do you
have any final message for our audience?
453
00:25:22,934 --> 00:25:25,574
Vicki: Open our hearts to
help an animal in need.
454
00:25:26,024 --> 00:25:31,244
And sometimes, I guess what I said
the other day is . It hurts sometimes.
455
00:25:31,244 --> 00:25:35,824
It's hard to to give
up time for an animal.
456
00:25:35,874 --> 00:25:41,304
It hurts our heart to see them
suffer, but sometimes I think we
457
00:25:41,304 --> 00:25:46,584
have to go through that pain and
being a little bit uncomfortable.
458
00:25:47,334 --> 00:25:50,814
To see these animals
blossom into what they can.
459
00:25:51,324 --> 00:25:57,114
And once you do that it's so
fulfilling I know some people
460
00:25:57,144 --> 00:25:59,634
have said, oh, it's too soon.
461
00:25:59,664 --> 00:26:02,804
I just lost my dog our dogs
would want us to help another
462
00:26:02,804 --> 00:26:05,174
dog, and I truly believe that.
463
00:26:05,474 --> 00:26:10,034
Or I wouldn't have been able to take in
three puppies after I lost two of my own.
464
00:26:10,664 --> 00:26:11,944
And was it easy?
465
00:26:11,944 --> 00:26:12,904
No, it wasn't.
466
00:26:12,964 --> 00:26:19,324
And, but I think that's what they
would want me to do, and that's
467
00:26:19,324 --> 00:26:20,824
what my son would want me to do.
468
00:26:21,514 --> 00:26:25,529
It's just for us to open up our homes
and our hearts to help these dogs
469
00:26:25,529 --> 00:26:27,539
because there's too many of 'em.
470
00:26:27,629 --> 00:26:32,419
And and to help spread the word
about spaying, neuter and, keeping
471
00:26:32,419 --> 00:26:36,309
your dogs on heartworm prevention
because , there's too many animals.
472
00:26:36,369 --> 00:26:41,309
And if we don't do better with spay
and neuter and come up with a solution.
473
00:26:42,284 --> 00:26:44,534
To have less unwanted litters.
474
00:26:44,814 --> 00:26:47,814
We're just never gonna catch
up, it's just a vicious cycle.
475
00:26:49,194 --> 00:26:50,484
Dixie: Yeah, it definitely is.
476
00:26:50,484 --> 00:26:52,374
And I think that's a
great final message too.
477
00:26:52,374 --> 00:26:53,754
I couldn't agree more with that.
478
00:26:54,369 --> 00:26:58,329
I wanna thank you for coming on
today and it's amazing the amount of
479
00:26:58,329 --> 00:27:01,509
work that you're doing to get these
dogs into home with the transports
480
00:27:01,509 --> 00:27:02,829
and the foster coordinating.
481
00:27:03,609 --> 00:27:04,149
So thank you
482
00:27:04,199 --> 00:27:05,479
. Vicki: Oh, my pleasure.
483
00:27:05,479 --> 00:27:09,589
And like I said, it's what I
wanted to do in retirement and
484
00:27:09,589 --> 00:27:11,269
it's definitely what I'm doing.
485
00:27:12,199 --> 00:27:12,529
Dixie: Yep.
486
00:27:12,529 --> 00:27:14,329
It sounds like you're very involved.
487
00:27:14,719 --> 00:27:16,519
So I'm glad that these dogs have you.
488
00:27:17,929 --> 00:27:18,679
Vicki: Oh, thank you.
489
00:27:18,769 --> 00:27:19,159
Thank you.
490
00:27:19,339 --> 00:27:20,929
Thank you for having me on the show.
491
00:27:21,289 --> 00:27:25,309
And I've listened to several of your
podcasts and thank you for doing this.
492
00:27:25,939 --> 00:27:26,329
Dixie: All right.
493
00:27:26,329 --> 00:27:28,249
Thank you and I'm glad you're listening.
494
00:27:29,211 --> 00:27:31,701
That's it for today's
episode of Animal Posse.
495
00:27:31,731 --> 00:27:34,671
If you love what we're doing,
please consider becoming a member.
496
00:27:34,911 --> 00:27:39,021
Your support directly helps us continue
highlighting the people and stories
497
00:27:39,021 --> 00:27:40,641
that save lives across the country.
498
00:27:41,061 --> 00:27:44,361
Just a quick reminder, the views
and opinions expressed by our
499
00:27:44,361 --> 00:27:48,381
guests are theirs alone and are
provided for entertainment purposes.
500
00:27:48,591 --> 00:27:49,881
They don't necessarily.
501
00:27:49,921 --> 00:27:54,541
reflect the official position of the show,
and this information should never replace
502
00:27:54,541 --> 00:27:56,881
the advice of your own veterinarian.
503
00:27:57,055 --> 00:27:59,305
Thanks for listening, and
we'll see you next time.
