Local dogs find new homes

If dogs had Southern accents, the northern United States would be filled with the sounds of Bedford County canines.

PetSmart Charities' "Rescue Waggin," which moves adoptable dogs from overpopulated areas to shelters in regions where dogs are in demand, picked up 32 dogs from Bedford County Animal Control last week.

The "Rescue Waggin" has saved 380 animals locally since it began monthly visits in June 2008, said Michael Gregory of Bedford County Animal Control and Kimberly Warren of Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association. The organizations work together to capture stray animals in Bedford County.

Nineteen of this month's animals were picked up by BCAC or other sources and 13 by the Humane Association, Warren said.

All shelters are screened and tested by PetSmart and only "behaviorally-adoptable" dogs are accepted, according to a PetSmart press release. Most are adopted within three days' arrival at their new homes, the group said.

The transport trucks are climate-controlled and dogs are monitored by video, cages are filled with food and toys and the canines receive rest breaks every few hours, a PetSmart Charities press release said.