Upon planning my third annual trip to Freeport to volunteer at the Humane Society of Grand Bahama, I was thrilled to find out that I’d be there during a Puppy Lift!

I had followed the previous ones from afar: reading the updates, seeing the e-mails, donating, and praying that they’d be able to get many puppies safely to their new lives in the US. But to be there while the actual puppy lift was happening was, to me, an extra bonus.

I know that the planning started way before I arrived.  Weeks of work are involved in contacting suitable no–kill shelters and rescue groups who would commit to taking some potcake puppies.  Flights and ground transportation have to be arranged; supplies, especially the approved travel crates, have to be purchased. And then there is the overwhelming task of choosing the puppies and dogs that get to go.

That was more or less when I came on the scene.

Some new crates arrived from the states the same day that I did.  The new crates have to be assembled and the used ones have to be checked for safety. Then there’s the task of labeling each one with the destination and names of the pups that will be inside.

Back to the selection of dogs: when there are approximately 400 canines at HSGB, it is no easy task to pick out the prospective passengers. One limitation is that most shelters will only take puppies and young dogs, teenagers if you will; some places limit the size they will accept by weight. Nonetheless, there are still plenty to choose from. While I was not involved in the selection process, I saw how difficult it was for  those in charge to “make the cuts”. The dogs have to be in good health and old enough to travel.  A few lucky adults were able to go to breed specific rescues, such as Siberian Huskie or Doberman.

Once the dogs are chosen, the paperwork has to be done. There are kennel cards and health certificates required for each one.  There are also requirements for paperwork for the flight.  This all takes hours of time and effort, in particular by the director and medical staff. Everything must be in order when they depart.

A few days before they leave, all the dogs have to be bathed; the littlest pups must be bathed the morning of their departure (for obvious reasons!)

Early that day (which was Monday August 15th), staff started getting the dogs ready to go; each must be put in his or her assigned crate; sometimes there are two or three young dogs together and in some cases, for the small puppies, a much larger number travel together. The paperwork for each dog must be attached to the appropriate crate.

Then the loading begins: as the furry passengers are put into their crates, you just get the feeling that you want to hug them and kiss them goodbye. But there’s much to be done and the clock is ticking.  So everyone pitches in, and before you know it, the crates are being placed in the various vehicles that will be carrying them to the airport, a short distance away.

There’s some yipping and yapping and even some howling as the eighty-eight pups await their turn to be loaded onboard the chartered aircraft. Soon the precious cargo is ready to go, and the humans who worked so hard to get these fortunate pups on their way are left there waving and wishing them a safe journey to their new land.

Obviously, there is much to do on the receiving end - but that’s a topic for a different article.

I am always amazed at how dedicated the shelter staff is; at how much is accomplished with no government assistance; at how much personal time, on the part of the staff and particularly the director, is freely given to help these dogs have the best opportunity possible to find loving homes.

And as heart-warming as witnessing a puppy lift is, it is equally heartbreaking to realize that there are three times that number of dogs and pups still remaining at the shelter, their chances of getting adopted into a good home slim at best.

Some will spend their entire and often short lives living at the shelter. Yes, they are well cared for, get sufficient food and exercise and needed medical care. But for anyone who has ever connected with a dog, it is obvious that they deserve more.

Thankfully there are people like Tip Burrows, the shelter director, who is willing to make the extraordinary effort needed to coordinate such a huge event. That’s why I continue to come back.

Can’t you find it in your heart to do your part?  Spay or neuter your pet; adopt from the shelter, don’t buy or breed; volunteer your time; make a donation.  Everyone can do something!

Visit the Humane Society of Grand Bahama shelter on Coral Rd. (just before the airport) or call (242) 352-2477.

Photo 1: Author Stephanie Winus relaxes with a friend during her visit the to Humane Society of Grand Bahama in the midst of an 'Operation Puppy Lift'

Photo 2: The new crates have to be assembled and the used ones have to be checked for safety. Then there’s the task of labeling each one with the destination and names of the pups that will be inside.

Photo 3: A few days before they leave, all the dogs have to be bathed; the littlest pups must be bathed the morning of their departure (for obvious reasons!)

Photo 4: There’s some yipping and yapping and even some howling as the eighty-eight pups await their turn to be loaded onboard the chartered aircraft.