I know the northern states will often partner with southern rescues to pull from crowded shelters. Our spay and neuter protocols and education in the tri-state/New England area lends itself to having capacity to take on populations from the south however, we do have our own kitten seasons as well. I have noticed personally without direct access to vet care or with the rising cost as corporations move in to buy out the smaller facilities, there has been some struggle to keep up with altering even up north.
If you are looking for a partnership with northern shelters, I would search for such groups on FB and the like to post that you are seeking to set up a relationship with others to move animals. For MA, we have very strict import protocol so the cats/kittens do need a variety of care prior to arrival (vaccines, fecals, deworming, ectoparasitic treatment, etc). If this is something that you can provide on top of the allowable specific health certificates for travel, that opens you up to more partnerships.
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Johanna Black
Animal Welfare Manager
Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals
MA
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-01-2025 05:49 PM
From: Angie Campbell
Subject: How do you get started with transfer-based load sharing?
Our organization is foster-based and located in the South (SC) where the homeless cat population is out of control. We've transferred some animals from our care to the local humane society, but they are closed to intake at the moment. We're over capacity and looking at returning kittens to colonies that aren't even in safe locations simply due to limited resources. We've heard other groups in our area discuss "sending cats up north" but when we've asked for guidance on doing the same, no one here is willing to share information. Every rescue is maxed out, and, honestly, most groups are suspicious of each other and unwilling to partner on a solution.
I'd love any advice anyone has on getting started as a rescue in need.
Thanks!
#TransfersandTransport
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Angie Campbell
President
Purrever Friends Rescue
SC
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