We first learned about the Underground Railroad Rescued Kitty Network (URRKN) after Sylviag shared her volunteer experience with us through this post. We love the story behind this organization and its mission “to aid in the safe transport of rescued cats from foster to forever homes”. With help from Sylviag we reached out to URRKN Transport Director, Kelly (PussKitty), for more information.
Here’s what PussKitty told us:
The URRKN was founded by Tina LaBlanc on October 31, 2011. She was inspired by the tragedy of Jack the Cat. She had a similar experience with her beloved Pandy many years ago. Luckily, Pandy was found in just a few days. So there had to be a solution; safe transportation to get kitties home. Hence, URRKN was born.
To date we have transported 40 kitties for a total of 20,694 miles. Many of our VIPs (Very Important Passengers) are shelter kitties, but they are vetted and have been in foster care before “riding the rails”. We aren’t yet big enough to do “urgent” transports, so we can’t do the shelter pick-ups yet, but we’re getting there. There’s also the matter of making sure our VIPs are healthy enough to travel and have been spayed or neutered. We only transport to forever homes.
Our Conductors (transporters) have found us mainly through our Facebook page. There are many ways you can get involved, so if you’re interested in volunteering for URRKN please join our Facebook group! All Conductors are required to sign a waiver and a “Conductors Code of Conduct”. We also require a copy of their driver’s license, proof of current auto insurance, and an emergency contact person (just in case). We love and protect our Conductors as much as our VIPs. Only a fraction of our members are now active Conductors. The rest cheer us on and help by sharing our story and upcoming transport events. All of our members play a role, each of them equally important.
We are an all volunteer group. The admins and transport coordinators give freely of their time. Our Conductors also give freely of their time and donate their gas money to help safely transport our VIPs home. In fact, I think most of our VIPs probably get home with a few more toys and treats than they had when they got on the road! They are certainly well loved and cared for during their journey home. Home—what a special word that is to a second chance kitty.
Our mission: Get kitties safely home.
Our vision: Global
For the kitties,
Kelly
URRKN Transport Director
Thank you so much for the honor. I love the ICHC community there are such great people here. I’m honored that you would take the time to write about us, honored and humbled. Thank you again.
~Choo Choo Tina
Thank you, Pusskitty and URRKN, for saving precious lives!
Thank you for sharing our story with your community! Some of our funniest members are cheezpeeps!
Thanks so much Will for the great write-up! We can’t right all the wrongs in the world, but we can make it a little better by supporting wonderful organizations such as this. Kuos to all the caring volunteers who give so much of their time and heart to the URRKN.
Thank you Sylviag for sharing us! *Edison sez, “Ohai Sylbia! Sanx fur da ried!”
Thank you ICHC for the compassion you’ve shown the kitties in all respects. For us at URRKN, that’s what it’s all about, the kitties. The kitties are what drew me to you years ago, and this company continues to be an inspiration.
YAY!!! CONGRATS TO UURKN! What a *wonderful* thing!! I am afraid I can only cheer you on right now. But it is an *EXCELLENT* thing you are all doing!
Cheerleaders are always most welcome! ALL of our members are important to us, no matter the role they fill.
Here to cheer you on for now. The story of Jack the Cat made me so sad. I would die if this happened to one of my cats. Go URRKN, save the kitties!
I network and try to post animal needs as much as possible on FB…and often see the need of transport being the only thing keeping a cat from a home…so I applaud you!!!
I had two of the most wonderful 5 yr old sister kitties brought to me through URRKN…such loving care during their travels and so much love shown to both girls. I’m thankful for this group of great people!!! So far I’ve only been able to be a cheerleader and furever home but hope to one day return the kindness they have shown me and the girls by being a Conductor on the URRKN Kitty Love Train!!! Chooooooo Chooooooo!!! Molly and Tobi and I thank you URRKN!!!
I think this is wonderful thing for all the animals to be transported to their new home safely! I do not trust the airlines…any of them!! They are too careless, & they treat the animals as just CARGO & they are not!! IF I had to transport my pet it would be on the seat right next to me, but I know most people are not able to do this! Peope are just wonderful to get together for the sake of an animal & people they do not even know…all for the safety of the transport kitty!!! God Bless you all!!!
Is there any way, other than FB, to join and become a Conductor? I have no FB account, nor do I want one, but I am a former professional driver (ambulances) with connections to other professional drivers.