Our Story
In 2012, Founder Briana Sherrer moved from Minnesota to Texas. She had volunteered for a rescue organization in Minnesota and wanted to continue fostering pets in her new home. That’s when she discovered of the severe overpopulation of unwanted animals in Texas shelters.
Minnesota and other states in the U.S. don’t battle the same issues as Texas with overpopulation and euthanasia rates at shelters. Briana joined forces with other amazing animal-loving friends in Texas, and put together a plan to help dogs and cats escape their untimely deaths in shelters by securing their placement in Minnesota or Wisconsin with one of our foster-based rescue partners.
With Briana’s rescue contacts in Minnesota, we focused primarily on transporting code red or medical need pets to Minnesota and Wisconsin with many of them being adopted prior to arriving to their rescue.
Passport For Paws began by helping a few dogs per month get out from Texas shelters, and now, the rescue is transporting an average of 80 animals monthly to Minnesota and Wisconsin. The organization’s network of fosters and transporters are completely volunteer-based and vital to Passport for Paw’s growth and success. Every animal has their own, unique story and holds a special place in our heart.
Minnesota and other states in the U.S. don’t battle the same issues as Texas with overpopulation and euthanasia rates at shelters. Briana joined forces with other amazing animal-loving friends in Texas, and put together a plan to help dogs and cats escape their untimely deaths in shelters by securing their placement in Minnesota or Wisconsin with one of our foster-based rescue partners.
With Briana’s rescue contacts in Minnesota, we focused primarily on transporting code red or medical need pets to Minnesota and Wisconsin with many of them being adopted prior to arriving to their rescue.
Passport For Paws began by helping a few dogs per month get out from Texas shelters, and now, the rescue is transporting an average of 80 animals monthly to Minnesota and Wisconsin. The organization’s network of fosters and transporters are completely volunteer-based and vital to Passport for Paw’s growth and success. Every animal has their own, unique story and holds a special place in our heart.
How We Are Different
Passport for Paws is a 501(c)3 volunteer-based rescue committed to saving code-red animals from local Texas shelters.
Local Texas rescues can’t keep up with the animal demand. Passport for Paws alleviates the burden by fostering and transporting animals to rescues throughout the US. In most cases, our animals are adopted prior to arriving onsite.
Unlike other non-profit rescues that operate on adoption fees, Passport for Paws solely operates on donations. We rely on the support of the community and our business partners to save animals.
Local Texas rescues can’t keep up with the animal demand. Passport for Paws alleviates the burden by fostering and transporting animals to rescues throughout the US. In most cases, our animals are adopted prior to arriving onsite.
Unlike other non-profit rescues that operate on adoption fees, Passport for Paws solely operates on donations. We rely on the support of the community and our business partners to save animals.
Year |
Yearly Lives Saved |
2017 |
551 |
2018 |
957 |
2019 |
1,017 |
2020 |
1,054 |
2021 |
854 |
Total Lives Saved |
4,433 |
Featured Volunteer of the Month
May’s volunteer of the month is our one and only Shannon Sauceman! She has been with us for a few years now and is always willing to say YES! to a puppy ( or 3 😉) in need when we ask. She also has helped us with medical cases and dogs who need special attention. Her daughter also is an honorary foster and is always at transport with her momma helping hold puppies. She’s saved countless lives and we know all the animals she’s saved are grateful to feel the love she’s shared. Thanks, Shannon! 🐾 💕!
Featured Foster of the Month
May’s medical and foster animal of the month is Griffin! He came from Dallas shelter and is 4 years old. He has been in and out of the hospital with diarrhea for the past month. We aren’t sure what is wrong, but our good friends at Mazies are giving him the care he needs. We are hoping he’ll make a full recovery! 🙏🏻 ❤️🩹 Please keep sweet Griffin in your prayers so he can travel up north to his forever home.
Featured Medical Foster
Poor little Ozzie was desperate to escape a home where he was terribly mistreated, but little did he know his attempt to flee would turn into more horror and pain.
Ozzie was found running through the streets in desperation, his body showing heavy signs of neglect and starvation. Our volunteer, who secured him and got him into her arms, cringed at his condition. His body was thin and dirty and his leg was hanging off of his body unnaturally. Not to mention, his hair was overgrown and matted, there were so many fleas biting him that he was bleeding, and he had pain in his hips. She didn't know where he was running from but his eyes darted every which way as if he were scared of his past catching up to him. He was rushed to the vet for emergency care, where he was so scared and in pain that he had to be sedated just so doctors could groom him and get to see what was underneath all his fur.
It was then that we were given the news. Ozzie had suffered neglect for a long time but more recently, had likely been hit by a car. His leg was broken in so many places that amputation was needed and although he's recovering after that initial surgery today, Ozzie still has - at least - two more major surgeries to go. One being an FHO to relieve the pain in his hip and the other on his knee to fix the luxation. We know it's all going to be expensive but after all he's endured, Ozzie deserves some peace and care. We know you work really hard for your money and times are hard, but Passport for Paws would be so appreciative if you could spare a small monetary donation for Ozzie or pick a gift from his wish list. Thank you.
Ozzie was found running through the streets in desperation, his body showing heavy signs of neglect and starvation. Our volunteer, who secured him and got him into her arms, cringed at his condition. His body was thin and dirty and his leg was hanging off of his body unnaturally. Not to mention, his hair was overgrown and matted, there were so many fleas biting him that he was bleeding, and he had pain in his hips. She didn't know where he was running from but his eyes darted every which way as if he were scared of his past catching up to him. He was rushed to the vet for emergency care, where he was so scared and in pain that he had to be sedated just so doctors could groom him and get to see what was underneath all his fur.
It was then that we were given the news. Ozzie had suffered neglect for a long time but more recently, had likely been hit by a car. His leg was broken in so many places that amputation was needed and although he's recovering after that initial surgery today, Ozzie still has - at least - two more major surgeries to go. One being an FHO to relieve the pain in his hip and the other on his knee to fix the luxation. We know it's all going to be expensive but after all he's endured, Ozzie deserves some peace and care. We know you work really hard for your money and times are hard, but Passport for Paws would be so appreciative if you could spare a small monetary donation for Ozzie or pick a gift from his wish list. Thank you.
Fosters of the Year
Our 2021 Fosters of the Year are Bob Smith and Steve Dektor! Without the generosity and selflessness of these two men, we wouldn't be able to transport animals to our rescue partners in MN/WI! Steve also helps our shelter partner in AR by driving our transport van from TX to AR then back to TX to their fosters! And not only do they take time out of their busy schedule to drive our transport van, they also foster! Bob gravitates towards our puppies in need and Steve gravitates to our adults. Together they've saved over 20 dogs in 2021 alone! Thank you, Bob and Steve for your dedication to saving TX animals!
