Submitted by the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor

Life is about to get much better for 100 lucky dogs currently on their way to Washington State as part of “Project Freedom Ride,” a program helping to rescue homeless dogs from high-kill animal shelters in Texas. The Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor will receive eight of these dogs at the end of the month. All the dogs being transported were previously scheduled to be euthanized in Texas.

Project Freedom Ride is being organized by Jennifer McConn, a Sedro Wooley resident, who has lived in Texas and seen firsthand the tragedy of pet over-population there. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, what was already a dire situation has worsened considerably, leaving animal shelters in the region critically overcrowded and euthanization rates at an all-time high. McConn’s efforts have made it possible for the dogs to be vaccinated, heartworm tested and each given a clean bill of health before making the long journey.

Jennifer has partnered with Klein Honda in Everett to get the word out about the dogs. She will be on hand January 30 when the dogs arrive in Everett to meet transport representatives from several Washington and Oregon animal shelters and rescue groups. From there the dogs will go on to participating shelters and rescue organizations, where many of the dogs already have waiting lists to adopt them.

In addition to the Animal Protection Society, several other shelters in the area have stepped up to take in Project Freedom Ride dogs, including NOAH in Stanwood, Kitsap Humane Society in Silverdale, The Humane Society of Tacoma, The Humane Society of Jefferson County in Port Townsend and several other private pet rescue groups throughout the state.

See the guest column of Jan Murhpy, manager of APSFH, saving animals around the world at www.sanjuanjournal.com.