Being on the road for a living can be a lonely task. Having no one to talk to for days and weeks can be hard for some. It can affect the mental health of a human being after a while. That is the reason why some drivers elect to bring a furry or feathered friend along for the ride. But a new program is helping pair drivers with critters desperate for a new, loving home.
Having a friend along for the ride is good for the soul
Our friends over at Land Line Now had a very interesting article this morning I wanted to bring to our reader’s attention. Memphis Animal Services, located at 2350 Appling City Cove, (exit 15 off I-40 westbound or exit 15-B eastbound), in Memphis, Tennessee, has begun a program aimed at pairing primarily dogs, but I’m sure any other animal in their care, with truckers looking for company out on the long, lonely road.
Memphis Animal Services is giving drivers a 50% discount on adoption fees, which can run from $10 to $80 according to the age and type of animal adopted. The agency will even pitch in a pet bed, if available.
“It seems like life in a truck, while probably not for every dog, for a lot of dogs there would be nothing better than to be there with your person always. So that’s what we were thinking when we were talking about starting this truck dog program.”
Katie Pemberton in an interview with Land Line Now.
Katie Pemberton is the marketing communications supervisor for Memphis Animal Services. She says that the “truck dog program,” which she still calls a working title, could benefit many of the pets at the shelter.
Let’s give these animals a new, loving home out on the open road
Memphis Animal Services normally brings in 10 to 20 dogs each day. But recent economic and seasonal changes have increased the number of drop-offs. This has led the agency to use an “all on the table approach” for adoptions.
“We want to let people know that we practice open adoptions and we are not looking for a reason to deny an adoption. I think, in some cases, possibly driving a truck would be one of the many reasons that people could get denied by other agencies in the past.”
Katie Pemberton in an interview with Land Line Now.
Drivers asking themselves, “Can I bring my truck and trailer there?” will be glad to know it is right off I-40 and has a cul-de-sac with some parking available. There’s even a truck parked there in the Google Maps image to help show exactly where.
Drivers interested in the truck dog program and wanting to adopt a pet can contact Memphis Animal Services at mas@memphistn.gov. Emails are answered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week. The agency’s telephone number is (901) 636-1416. Hours of operation are 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Central Time, seven days a week.
Read more by Rooster and follow me here!
Sign up for the Back The Truck Up Newsletter!
Listen to the Back The Truck Up Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, and Google Podcasts!
