Karen and Mitch of Jacksonville, Oregon, picked up Pearl, Parker and Pacific last March in California. They brought the puppies to the Oregon DBL campus so they could be placed with their Puppy Raisers.
Three little puppies were ready to leave their birth home in California and come to DBL for placement with Puppy Raisers. As they’ve done many times, Mitch and Karen jumped in their car and set off on a six-hour roundtrip journey to bring the puppies to their new homes.
Five years ago, the couple discovered a wonderful mission: transporting and providing temporary housing for dogs in transition. They have driven or fostered 46 DBL dogs so far.
“It takes a village to get these dogs around the United States, and we are just one cog in the system,” Mitch says.
As passionate volunteers for DBL, the couple give their time and use their own vehicle and gas. Combined, it’s a significant cost-savings for the nonprofit.
“This is something Dogs for Better Lives needs, and we can do,” Mitch says. “We often see where a dog ends up and how it will care for a person or a family.”
In their partnership, Mitch is the dog whisperer, and Karen is the coordination pro for the many pickups and drop-offs. By opening their home when needed, dogs can avoid staying in kennels while they are in transition.
“We get to see dogs at different stages of their lives and training,” Karen says. “It’s fun to see them develop. The black Labrador puppies especially all look identical but as much as they look alike, their personalities are different. They are so smart.”
With hearts full and gas tanks emptied, the couple is grateful to play a part in transforming lives.
Learn more about becoming a transportation volunteer at Dogs for Better Lives at dogsforbetterlives.org/foster-or-transport-a-dog
