Commercial Truck Drivers Hitting the Road to Reunite Families with their Furry Companions win National Award

OTTAWA, April 8, 2019 /CNW/ - Humane Canada is pleased to announce that a group of compassionate truck drivers from across Canada called Furry Hobos N Hiway Hero's are the recipient of a 2019 national animal welfare award.

"This award recognizes the hard and important work that a small, volunteer-run group of caring people is doing to help animal across our country" says Barbara Cartwright, CEO of Humane Canada. "The mission of reconnecting pets with their loving families has a tremendous positive impact on both the animals and their owners' quality of life"

Furry Hobos N Hiway Hero's is a group of volunteer truck drivers established five years ago by Margaret Foster Hyde, a retired long-distance truck driver herself. The group's goal is to transport dogs across Canada to be reunited with their owners or caregivers. Foster Hyde's idea to start this group was born after she became aware of the high, almost prohibitive costs of transporting a dog across the country.  

"It takes a village" says Foster Hyde. She is quick to give credit to other groups who have supported her organization since its inception. Canadian Trucking Magazine for instance, offers pro bono advertising to the group, "that's how we've been able to enlist some of our volunteer truck drivers," continues Foster Hyde.

The group's logistical prowess has helped transport about 400 dogs across Canada thanks to the organization's network of about 20 volunteer drivers. It is worth mentioning that the group expects no compensation whatsoever from pet owners, but instead, does this work as a way to "paws it forward". One particular case she remembers is Abby, a cocker spaniel traveling from Alberta to Ontario "The group was in its early stages and it took us over a month to coordinate her trip from Red Deer, Alta. to her final destination in Windsor, Ont."

"Furry Hobos N Hiway Hero's is a perfect representation of the many small, hardworking and resilient groups across our country that work tirelessly and with little resources to improve animals' lives and overall well-being", concludes Cartwright.

The award will be presented this weekend at the sixth annual National Animal Welfare Conference, hosted at the Bonaventure Hotel in Montréal. This event is the largest and best attended conference of its kind in Canada, bringing together over 375 individuals who work with, care for and advocate for animals.

ABOUT HUMANE CANADA
Humane Canada is the federation of SPCAs and humane societies, driving positive, progressive change to end animal cruelty, improve animal protection and promote the humane treatment of all animals. To learn more about Humane Canada, please visit humanecanada.ca

ABOUT THE ANIMAL WELFARE LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION AWARDS
Humane Canada's Animal Welfare Leadership & Innovation Awards were launched in 2016 as a way to recognize and celebrate those who are making important contributions to animal welfare in Canada. Other Humane Canada award winners this year include: Dr. Charu Chandrasekera, the Donner Canadian Foundation, Kevin Strooband of the Lincoln County Humane Society, Zachary's Paws for Healing, Spca de Montréal and Dr. Ian Duncan.

SOURCE Humane Canada

Media contact: Natalia Hanson, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Humane Canada, 613-224-8072 ext. 12, [email protected]