I have arrived… I am in Fresno .

Fresno, located in California’s Central Valley, was deemed by the Census to be one of the most impoverished region in the United States in 2012, with the highest poverty rate in California. The area is also home to many animal shelters, some of which have the highest euthanasia rates in the state — up to 60% for dogs and a staggering 84% for cats.

I am there , for the fourth time in as many months, with a very well defined purpose — to rescue Chihuahuas, lots of Chihuahuas.

The dogs will be part of Compassion without Borders interstate transport program, made possible by a grant from the ASPCA, wherein we rescue these dogs from overcrowded shelters in the Central Valley and send them to the Animal Humane Society in Minneapolis where the breed is in demand and easily adopted out. We’ve sent over 60 dogs so far, this will be our fourth transport.

I’ve got my stethoscope, my pen, and my notepad and I’m ready to save some lives.

Throughout the day, I will evaluate and examine dozens upon dozens of Chihuahuas. There will be tan ones with underbites. Black ones with big ears. Spotted ones with wagging tails. Long legs. Short legs. No teeth. Too many teeth. Every shade, style, and size of Chihuahua will be well represented.

I will stand inside large pens filled with more Chihuahuas than I can count. I will peer into small carriers with solitary Chihuahuas peering back out at me, wondering what the heck I want. I’ll kneel down in a strip of grass while seven Chihuahuas jump all over me as I try, in vain, to do a physical exam on an eighth whose sole goal in life is to kiss my face as much as possible.

I’ll take my notes, do my exams, make my selections, and try to remain focused and to pick a great group of dogs that will be easy to rehome and will do well with transport.

And, amidst all of this, I will meet some amazing people. Before the day is over I will have worked with 9 different local animal agencies, shelters, and rescue groups;ACT, ARF, PROUD, Pawsitive Connections, Sanger Animal Control, Clovis Animal Services, Orange Cove Animal Control, Reedley Animal Control, & Kings County Animal Services.

I am humbled by these folks. Each one is incredible. Hard working. Devoted. Sincere. Saving these animals is their life and their passion. I know I am experiencing just one small snapshot of all that they are doing for the animals of Fresno and I feel grateful to be able to help them and to help these dogs and to be part of such an amazing collaboration.

Each one of us there has a role. Some of us are doing direct rescue –off the streets or from bad situations. Others of us work for shelters who provide the best care they can for the homeless animals of Fresno. Still others work tirelessly to get these animals out of those overcrowded shelter when their time is up. Many work around the clock rehabilitating them, medically and emotionally, as needed. Caring for them until a home is found. Fostering them..loving them… each and every one.

And, then, there are those of us who are trying to help get those animals the heck out of there. When local placement is not an option, because there are just too many, then we must work to save their lives by transporting them to where there aren’t, and where they are wanted and in demand. By relocating them, we are not only saving their lives, but also making room for many more to be saved locally.

There is a tangible enthusiasm behind the collaboration– but just beneath that, at least for me, is an undercurrent of urgency. So many young, healthy, beautiful lives just clamoring for the chance at rescue, love, and rehoming. So many amazing folks working so hard to see they get just that.

One more Chihuahua on the list. One more life saved.

At the end of the day, I am dirty, sweaty, hungry, relieved, exhausted, and in love with every single dog I have met. I love them all, although I can only choose 25.

This labor of love is hard work. There is no doubt about that. But, at the end of the day, we have all come together with a shared purpose and 25 lives will be forever changed for the better by our efforts.

I myself can’t think of a better way to spend my day.

So, I dust myself off as I crawl back into the van, pump up the AC, and head north, as all those local organizations and the heroes that run them remain behind, hard at work, without skipping a beat.