From Pilot Challenge Magazine, 2006

A Truck Drivers' Leadership Saves Animals and Unites Families
By: Christi Embler

When the storm of the century hit New Orleans and the city was struggling to stay alive, so were thousands of domestic animals.

As various organizations frantically rushed in to rescue those people left with nothing in the debris filled aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many animals were ripped from their owner’s arms and left behind.  Suddenly, animal lovers everywhere watched their TV’s and sat diligently by their radios, listening to heartbreaking story after story, helpless to rescue those animals left to tread the deadly waters.  Dogs stood atop their owners’ homes desperate to be rescued, their eyes begging for help, but left with only shattered hopes.

But on the other side of the waters a new spirit of volunteers were making their way forward to say no more suffering, starving or left-behind animals.  This group of animal loving volunteers is known for their ability to overcome even the toughest of obstacles, giving their all no matter what the situation, never failing to deliver.

Interestingly enough, however, they are not looking for their names in bright lights or for the media to recognize them as saviors, but they are known for being able to get the job done no matter what the odds.  They are America’s over-the-road truck drivers, dependable, hardworking and just plain good at what they do.  They move America’s goods, and now they rescue animals too.

Operation Roger Gears Up

Capone - was saved from breeders when Chris (Volunteer with Operation Roger) moved him from Northstar, Ohio to safety in Denver, Colorado where Capone now lives with a happy new family.

Getting its start merely a year ago, this group of truck drivers are now operating under the name of "Operation Roger.” They have already impacted hundreds of smiling faces and their once baron homes.  From the vision of one lone truck driver, Sue Wiese, aka ”Classy Lady,” has inspired an army of pet loving truck drivers, more than 80 to be more accurate, who share the same passion as Wiese.

Right from the beginning the program was developed to make a difference in the lives of hurt, abandoned or homeless animals, and right from the start countless stories of success crisscrossed America proving just how big of a difference this group of gear-shifting volunteers have made.

With the overwhelming effects of Hurricane Katrina still quite evident today, it is easy for Wiese to remember how her vision evolved. As the devastation from the hurricane’s aftermath resonated throughout the media, Wiese recalls listening non-stop to the radio for updates while driving for hours each day.  "I remember hearing about people refusing to evacuate areas without their pets,” she recalled. "People were being saved, while pets were being left behind,” Wiese added.

Remembering the loss of her very own faithful companion Roger, a Toy Manchester Terrier who had passed away just three months prior to Hurricane Katrina, Wiese immediately felt compassion for the people involved in the stories she listened to over the radio. ”When a pet is with you all day long like Roger was, it becomes a member of your family.  It is truly devastating for people to be in a situation that forces them to leave a living part of their family behind…so many animals became homeless,” she explained.  With a sincere longing to help, Wiese set out to find a way to rescue and deliver the pets to safe homes.

Finding Your Pet on Petfinder.com

RAYNE - was rescued from Ohio and transported to a new, safe home and a loving family in Georgia, with the help of Chris, a volunteer with Operation Roger.

Hearing about Petfinder.com, a website that allows you to search adoptable pets and locate shelters and rescue groups, Wiese began researching about the prevalent issue.  She quickly discovered that rescuing and transporting animals was already an everyday need, which only heightened after Hurricane Katrina.

Wiese found that the most common method of moving animals long distances involved individuals driving their own automobiles short sections of a long trip and then passing the animals off to another individual who continued the trip (repeating the process) until the animal reached its final destination.  Wiese realized that as a truck driver, she could transport animals in much the same way but with a greater success rate. ”I was discussing this idea with my daughter, Tasha, and dear friend, Dellcina, when it hit me,” Wiese explains. ”I could transport the animals in my truck during daily routes, even if it meant only moving one at a time.”

Deciding to hit the airways with her new idea, Wiese went on XM Satellite Radio hosted by Bill and Cindy Mack, posing the question, ”Are there any drivers out there that would be interested in helping transport animals across the country on a daily basis?” Apprehensive about the possible lack of feedback, Sue received a surprising 14 calls within the first day from truck drivers who were extremely interested in participating, putting her concerns at ease.  With the vision shared and accepted by other avid animal lovers, it was time to put ”Operation Roger," named in memory of her own Toy Manchester Terrier Roger, underway.

The Power Of The Phone

Understanding that drivers are volunteering their time, it became important to coordinate pick-up and deliveries in such a way that would allow everyone to still meet the demands of their job. Working off the power of the phone, drivers must call in during weekly meetings and share their expected routes, in addition to staying in contact with team leaders in order to coordinate possible transports. Michelle, the logistic coordinator for the group, concentrates on understanding the drivers’ routes to match transports, which can take up to several months for some drivers.  RAYNE - was rescued from Ohio and transported to a new, safe home and a loving family in Georgia, with the help of Chris, a volunteer with Operation Roger.  After identifying a posting for a pet that needs to be transported to a certain area (new shelter or family), Michelle works diligently to find a driver on the corresponding route. She then sets up a meeting time and place with the rescue member holding the animal by connecting them with the available driver.

Michelle recently helped coordinate the transport of 14 animals in one week. She stated, ”It was just one of those times when everything came together. The pets posted corresponded with our drivers’ routes and we were able to somehow make it work."

Understanding that corresponding routes and transports can take time, Wiese adds, ”You get out of it what you put in. If the volunteer is truly interested, they must make it a habit to stay in touch with the team leaders and coordinators, while always being prepared should their chance to transport present itself.”

Pet Postings Wishing to Adopt and Rescue Shelters

As people respond to pet postings wishing to adopt a pet, rescue shelters then post the pets needing to be transported to various locations throughout the country.

Thus, the journey begins. Many pets have been either abandoned or abused so shelters are extremely apprehensive about joining up with just any organization. Dorianne Swift, the Georgia Area Rep for Catahoula Rescue, Inc, has used Operation Roger in the past to transport pets and continues to be extremely impressed with their group. Dorianne shared, ”Without the help of Operation Roger, we would never have been able to save the lives of several very specific dogs; Rusty, who went to a foster home all the way up in Sarnia, Ontario via Danny (one of the volunteers)…and Brie who made it just in the nick of time to get the animal out of a shelter in Missouri and to safety." Dorianne adds, ”I am so glad to be able to say I know several of these folks and their heart for the animals is unparalleled.”

For The Love Of The Pet

Snickers - Terry and Linda, volunteers for Operation Roger, picked up Snickers in Paducah, NY and transported him to a new home in Darien, GA.

This ”unparalleled” love for the pets is evident as volunteers ensure they reach their final destination in a safe and timely fashion, while making the pets as comfortable as possible. Tony, another volunteer who has taken on the role of Special Operations, helps move crates and extra food to and from various shelters. Tony believes that Operation Roger is a success based on the drivers who understand many of the pets have experienced a great deal of trauma from being abused or abandoned and goes the extra mile to provide them with the utmost love and care. ”I like to think of this as a Tender Love and Care (TLC) Operation, not just a transport,” Tony says. ”Our drivers take these animals and let them sleep in their cabs; they don’t just stay locked up in crates or boxes once we step in. We become a foster home on wheels,” Tony explained.

Operation Roger continues to grow and reach out to additional pets in need, however, the ever growing financial demands and manpower necessary to meet these needs is increasing.

As pets currently await their safe transport to a new, welcoming home and with additional requests being posted everyday, Wiese extends the invitation to all truck drivers who want to participate by saying, ”We are always on the look out for dedicated truck drivers who simply have a heart for animals…that’s all it takes.”