Lucky Puppy Rescue unveils new bus to transport dogs to New York adoption center

BONIFAY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Lucky Puppy Rescue has unveiled its newest bus, which takes adoptable dogs from Bonifay all the way to their forever homes in New York.

“I know it sounds crazy, and it’s a lot of work, and it’s expensive, and time-consuming, but that’s the only way that we can score successful adoptions,” said Teri Mattson, the volunteer director for Lucky Puppy Rescue. “We do get a few adoptions here locally, but there are so many dogs here that it’s overpopulated — so there are not enough homes here in the south, where these dogs were born, and abandoned."

Thanks to donations and some help from Miss Peaches, a dog celebrity who helps shelter animals, the cross-country trip just got easier.

“This bus was donated to us at the beginning of this year, and we have fundraised to set it up and deck it out with some really nice kennels, and navigation system, and a backup camera,” said Mattson, “we’re going to be safe and sporty at the same time.”

The new transportation system is designed to give these dogs positive futures.

“It actually means everything because we have a fantastic place and organization here in the south, we have the same in the north,” said Mattson, “but if we’re not able to transport them safely from one place to the other, they can’t score their homes. This bus is what actually gives them that future.”

Lots of work goes into making sure the dogs and puppies are ready to take the trip all the way to New York, which is why rescue leaders are urging anyone who can to come out and volunteer.

Anyone interested in volunteering can reach out to Lucky Puppy directly; that information can be found here.

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