Transport

Why

We Transport

At Da Vinci's Dream, our purpose is clear: to rescue animals from high-kill shelters, local shelters with low adoption rates, strays, and dogs from criminal cases and give them the chance they deserve. However, the challenges of overpopulation in rural areas demand innovative solutions. With our main shelter receiving 100 dogs every week, the urgency is real. To counteract this, we've turned to animal transport, bridging the gap between limited resources and higher adoption rates.

​Kentucky's rural towns bear witness to an overwhelming number of animals in need. Our commitment to change these lives is unyielding. By partnering with shelters across the state, we recognize the critical role we play in their survival.

Transporting animals to other states is our strategic response. These areas offer more opportunities for adoption, ensuring that our rescues stand a better chance at finding their forever homes. As we grow, so does our vision. We're determined to expand our transport efforts, forging new pathways of hope for even more animals.

Join us in rewriting the fate of animals in Kentucky and beyond. With every transport, we're not just moving animals; we're moving towards a future where rescue knows no boundaries. Your support fuels this journey, turning the dream of a better life into reality—one mile, one rescue, and one precious life at a time.

Join us in rewriting the fate of animals in Kentucky and beyond. With every transport, we're not just moving animals; we're moving towards a future where rescue knows no boundaries. Your support fuels this journey, turning the dream of a better life into reality—one mile, one rescue, and one precious life at a time.
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Extending Hope Beyond Borders

How

Transports Work

At Da Vinci's Dream, our animal transport process is meticulously designed to create harmonious bonds between our rescued animals and their forever homes. Here's a comprehensive guide to navigating this transformative journey:

1. Application Submission:

The voyage commences when you complete an application to offer a nurturing home to one of our deserving animals. Your willingness to open your heart and home to a rescue in need is a powerful step toward change.

2. Application Review and Assessment:

Upon receiving your application, our dedicated team embarks on a thoughtful assessment journey. We meticulously review your application to ensure compatibility with the unique needs and personalities of our animals, prioritizing the creation of thriving, loving homes.

3. Personalized Conversation:

For applications that align seamlessly with the animal's requirements, we initiate a personalized phone conversation. This interaction provides an opportunity to delve deeper, fostering a better understanding of your expectations and addressing any queries.

4. Contract and Deposit:

After our conversation resonates positively, we share with you a transport contract alongside a deposit form. This pivotal step solidifies your commitment to embracing the animal and secures your position within our adoption process.

5. Deposit Insights:

Our dedication to ensuring a smooth transition for our animals across state lines necessitates the procurement of a health certificate from our trusted veterinarian. This certificate serves as a testament to the animal's well-being prior to joining your loving home. To alleviate the financial burden associated with this process and to gauge your sincere commitment, we require a deposit.

This deposit covers various expenses, including the cost of obtaining the animal's health certificate. Legally mandated for animals crossing state lines, these certificates are issued in the adopter's name and address, ensuring they cannot be reused. Additionally, we incur costs related to transport, such as fuel and maintenance of our transport van. For longer journeys, we also cover expenses like hotel fees for our transporters.

You can find detailed information about our fees on our Adoption Fees page. Please note that this deposit is non-refundable due to the advanced payments required for health certificates and transport costs. Additionally, it helps us ensure the adopter's seriousness about adoption and covers our expenses in case of last-minute cancellations or no-shows at the meet and greet.

6. Initiating the Journey:

Upon securing the deposit and signing the contract, the transport process sets into motion. In addition to providing you with the contract and deposit form, we will promptly inform you of the meeting time and location. Our meetings are typically scheduled on weekends to accommodate potential adopters' availability, allowing for a smoother and more convenient process. From this point forward, we're committed to ensuring your experience is comfortable and well-cared for, as we embark on this journey together.

7. Embracing Your New Companion:

The journey reaches its culmination on the day of transport, where you will meet the animal you've applied for. Pending a successful meet and greet, you will have the opportunity to sign the final adoption contract, complete the remaining adoption fee payment, and warmly welcome your new pet into your home. This day marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with love, companionship, and shared adventures.

Conclusion:

Our transport process is a symphony of compassion and purpose, orchestrated to bestow second chances and enduring joy. As we collectively author stories of hope and transformation, our commitment to animal welfare is unwavering. With each transport, we sculpt a narrative of change, not just for the animals but for the lives they touch. Join us on this journey of heartwarming tales, unwavering commitment, and wagging tails.

Where we

Transport

Our Current Transport Locations:

Greenwood, IN

Wilmington, OH

Washington, PA

 

Read about our fees associated with transport here:
Why We

Require A Deposit

To ensure a smooth and successful transition for our rescue animals to their forever homes, we require a deposit for transport. This helps us cover essential costs and confirm adopter commitment, which is crucial for planning.

A key reason is the health certificate, required for interstate travel. These certificates are only valid for 30 days and must align with transport timing. The deposit helps us avoid last-minute cancellations, which can result in wasted veterinary and transport expenses.

Additionally, transporting animals can be stressful, and we want to ensure they're headed to homes that are truly ready. The deposit helps us identify committed adopters, reducing stress for the animals and supporting their well-being.

Thank you for understanding—your support helps us continue saving lives and placing pets in loving homes.

Forms Of Payment

We Accept

For deposit payments, we use our Zeffy payment form. Once your transport meet-and-greet is confirmed, we will provide you with a link to complete the payment. Zeffy supports credit card payments.

For adoption fees, we currently only accept online payments. As a volunteer-based organization, online payments help us streamline tracking compared to handling cash or checks. After signing the adoption contract, you will be redirected to an online payment platform where you can pay via PayPal or credit card.

Please note: The adoption fee is not due until you're there in person and ready to take the animal home.

🐾 Transport FAQs

Yes, but only after your application has been approved. We do not schedule meet-and-greets without a completed and approved application. If you'd like to meet the animal without placing a deposit, you are welcome to travel to Adair County, Kentucky. We legally cannot transport animals for casual meet-and-greets without a health certificate in place, which requires a financial commitment.

Please note: this would be a meet-and-greet only—you will not be able to take the animal home the same day. Animals cannot legally cross state lines without a valid health certificate, which must be scheduled in advance with our veterinarian and comes with an additional fee. If you’re considering this option, please coordinate with our team ahead of time to discuss next steps.

We are an entirely volunteer-based rescue, and our team works hard to manage the many responsibilities that come with saving animals. To respect our volunteers’ time and ensure our animals are matched appropriately, we require an approved application before scheduling any meet and greet.

Preparing for a meet and greet involves more than just showing up—it includes giving the animal a thorough bath, nail trim, brushing, and making sure they’re looking and feeling their best. It also involves coordinating transportation and spending time at the meetup itself.

We want to make sure that effort is meaningful by confirming ahead of time that the adopter is a good fit for the animal’s needs. Reviewing and approving your application first helps us avoid scheduling meet and greets that may ultimately not be in the best interest of the animal.

The deposit helps cover the cost of preparing your pet for transport—most importantly, their legally required health certificate, which must be issued in your name and cannot be reused or transferred. It also helps us cover transportation expenses like fuel, vehicle rental, and lodging for our transport volunteers. It shows you're serious about adopting and helps us avoid the financial strain of last-minute cancellations. This deposit is non-refundable, except in rare cases where the animal has a severely negative reaction at the meet-and-greet.

Your deposit contributes to:

  • The animal’s veterinary-issued health certificate (required by law for interstate travel)

  • Transportation costs like fuel, vehicle maintenance, and hotel stays

Animals scheduled for transport—after an adopter has been approved and a deposit has been paid—are brought to the transport location just for the day. We do not have a holding facility or partner shelter in these locations.

Our volunteer driver transports the animals to meet their designated adopters at the pre-arranged location. If all goes well during the meet and greet, the adoption is finalized on the spot. Because of this, we only transport animals on specific, pre-scheduled days.

To make each transport financially viable and respectful of our driver’s time, we require a minimum number of animals to be scheduled for adoption before a trip is confirmed. This helps us use our limited volunteer resources efficiently and keep transport costs manageable.

No. Deposits are non-refundable because we use them to pay for services in advance (like the health certificate and transport logistics).

If either you or our team feels that the animal isn’t the right fit during the meet and greet, we reserve the right not to proceed with the adoption. If you’ve already paid the adoption fee, it will be refunded. However, the transport deposit is non-refundable, as it covers costs we’ve already incurred, including the health certificate and transport arrangements.

Yes—but you'll need to travel to Adair County, Kentucky to do so. Please note that we require an approved application before we schedule any type of meet and greet, whether in person or through transport.

We do not transport animals out of state for meet-and-greets without a deposit and signed transport contract in place, as this requires a valid health certificate and careful advance planning.

Even if you visit in person, you will not be able to take the animal home the same day if you live out of state. A health certificate is legally required before any animal crosses state lines.

In some cases, if we have enough advance notice, we may be able to schedule a same-day vet appointment for the health certificate, allowing you to take the animal home after a few hours. However, this is not guaranteed. More commonly, you may need to:

  • Stay overnight so we can get the health certificate the following day

  • Make a return trip to pick up the animal later

  • Or, have the animal transported to you on our next scheduled transport after the meet and greet

We’re happy to work with you to find the best option!

You are not required to pay the remaining adoption fee until after you've met the animal at the transport meet-and-greet and are ready to move forward with the adoption. At that point, we accept online payments via PayPal or credit card. However, if you prefer to streamline the process, you're welcome to pay in advance once your meet-and-greet has been confirmed.

You’ll meet the animal, and we’ll assess mutual comfort. If all goes well, you’ll sign the final adoption contract, pay the remaining fee, and take your new family member home that day!

The transport contract is signed before the meet and greet to confirm your commitment and understanding of the process. The adoption contract is signed at the meet and greet after confirming the match is right. However, if you'd like to streamline the process, you're welcome to sign the adoption contract in advance once your meet-and-greet has been confirmed.

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. We want to make sure all pets in the home are comfortable with each other before adoption. A meet and greet gives everyone a chance to interact in a safe, neutral setting and helps ensure a smoother transition when your new dog comes home.

Yes, we do have minimums in place for each transport. The required number can vary depending on the location, but transport is costly and requires a significant amount of time and effort from our volunteer drivers. To make each trip feasible, we need to have several animals scheduled for adoption at a given location.

If we haven’t met the minimum for a scheduled transport, we will push the trip back—typically by a week—and keep all adopters informed in advance. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we coordinate efforts to ensure our animals travel safely and efficiently to their forever homes.

No, we do not allow third-party transport. All adopters must be present at an in-person meet-and-greet with a member of our team. This step is essential because it allows us to observe the interaction between the dog and the potential adopter to ensure the animal is comfortable and doesn’t exhibit signs of stress or a negative reaction.

We always prioritize the well-being of our animals above all else. If our team feels the dog is not comfortable or that the match is not in the animal’s best interest, we reserve the right to cancel the adoption.

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