Pups receive love in Deerfield en route to forever homes

It all happens so naturally on the first Saturday morning of every month.

During one exciting hour, ARR Deerfield Pup Stop volunteers shower their energy and affection onto 50 dogs and puppies during a rest stop break on the way to foster and permanent homes.

The pups arrive by van from Alabama for their rest stop at the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Department, and are warmly greeted by more than 30 ARR (Alabama Rescue Relay) Deerfield Pup Stop volunteers.

That same day, after their one-hour stop, they travel to Wisconsin and Minnesota animal adoption centers, where they are paired with their new families.

However, during the brief "pup stop," something amazing occurs before the pups hit the road again. And it has benefitted more than 7,000 dogs that have been transported from Alabama and visited the ARR Deerfield Pup Stop since 2011.

"Dogs get a one-hour break on their journey. They get affection, are walked, given treats, and are loved during the one-hour stop before reaching their 'furever' homes," said ARR Deerfield Pup Stop founder Claudette Dirsmith.

"Volunteers give the dogs and puppies a chance to stretch their legs and tend to doggy business. They also clean cages and replace bedding and water for the final leg of the journey to loving foster and forever homes in Wisconsin and Minnesota," Dirsmith said.

"Our volunteers have an exhilarating feeling when there are 50 dogs on the way to Wisconsin and Minnesota and look forward to getting them ready for arrival at their destination."

Dirsmith, a resident of Lake County and founder of ARR Deerfield Pup Stop, began driving years ago with her husband, Tim, and sons Graham and Garrett.

She and her Pup Stop partners responded to several questions to help community residents understand the role the Pup Stop plays in the Alabama Rescue Relay.

Q: Tell us about the ARR Deerfield Pup Stop.

A: The Alabama Rescue Relay (ARR) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the transportation and rehoming of rescued dogs from Alabama.

ARR transports dogs and cats from last-chance shelters in underserved counties. There, 80% of them are placed directly into forever and foster homes. The other 20% are delivered to shelters where the demand for pets is great.

In 2022, ARR transported 1,776 animals to Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida and Illinois.

Q: Who are your local partners that make it possible for Pup Stop to carry out their work?

A: The North Shore Unitarian Church and Deerfield Bannockburn Fire Department currently have served as home to the Pup Stop on the first Saturday morning of each month.

Q: What prompted you and your sons and your husband, Tim, to establish the group?

A: In 2011, I transported seven dogs to Orphans of the Storm from Kankakee. I immediately felt a connection to that experience. Something touched my soul. I realized the seven dogs counted on me/us to be their fresh start. I give OOTS credit for inspiring transporting as a volunteer opportunity.

As time went on, and many transports later, I began driving for other groups as well. Someone passed my name to Rebecca Hogue Harshman, the ARR coordinator in Alabama.

Rebecca asked if I would drive for them. We had never met, but the connection felt right to me. She has become a soul sister, and is so appreciative of what we are doing.

Q: Tell us about the community effort to get the Pup Stop in Deerfield underway in 2011?

A: A handful of organizations and individuals helped get the ARR Deerfield Pup Stop launched.

North Shore Unitarian Church grants the use of their parking lot during the months of April through October (rain or shine) to support the Pup Stop.

"We have many members who are passionate about animal rescue and many more who care for animal welfare. Our congregation admires the work that Claudette does and believes it fits with our mission of compassion and kindness," said the Rev. Lucas Hergert, minister of the church in Deerfield.

The Pup Stop operates from the Deerfield Bannockburn Fire Protection District headquarters during the fall and winter months.

"A fire station is more than a place where we respond to emergencies. We are a community resource that is safe and open, and we want the community to access the fire station ... We are happy to open our doors to the Pup Stop, and we really appreciate what they are doing to support animal welfare. We are so grateful to be a part of their work and thankful they came to us," said Ray Larson, deputy fire chief, Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District Station #19.

Q: What can you say about the volunteers who have supported the Pup Stop in Deerfield?

A: Marcy Hamilton's role changed everything. She set up our communications with volunteers and helped make the Pup Stop a cohesive group. She established protocols for the puppy pens to ensure cleanliness for the pups and volunteers.

"I definitely have to drag myself out of bed early, but it feels so good to see the happy dogs (and, sometimes, cats) heading north on their freedom ride," said Hamilton, a Highland Park resident.

We have a list of 50 local volunteers that regularly attend. We have a Facebook page, created by Marcy Hamilton, to communicate with our volunteers and supporters.

Pup Stop really has no overhead expenses due to the generosity of our volunteers who provide cleaning supplies. They even donate cash on the day of the transport to help pay for gasoline.

Q: What makes the ARR program unique to others transporting dogs and cats from Alabama?

A: The dogs are committed to new families in advance of the transport day through rescues in Wisconsin and Minnesota. It's amazing that a majority of the dogs transported from Alabama go directly into the arms of their forever and/or foster families.

"Small organizations like ARR do such great work with so little. The hope is that more shelters in the Midwest sign on to take dogs from Alabama and further the mission," said Heidi Sparacino, a Pup Stop volunteer and Deerfield resident.

Q: What can you say about the role of Animal Savers of Pell City, Inc. in making the ARR Pup Stop needed?

A: Josephine Mitchell of ASPCI, based in Pell City, Alabama, says it best when she talks about the role of ARR:

"We are thrilled to partner with ARR by owning and allowing ARR to rent our transit van for a nominal price for these dog transports.

"The beginning of our mission statement speaks to this important program: 'to work with rescue organizations to facilitate adoptions of animals currently residing in area shelters.'"

Q: Where does the ARR and the Pup Stop go from here?

A: What ARR needs is more Illinois rescues to take in Alabama shelter dogs. We used to have two transports to Illinois per month, but now we are down to one a month and the van isn't even full.

There are currently five shelters in Minnesota, three in Wisconsin and two in Illinois accepting dogs from ARR. Monroe County, Alabama, transports dogs and cats to Orphans of the Storm in Riverwoods.

Q: Who can be contacted for additional information about Deerfield Pup Stop?

A: Community residents or shelters should contact Claudette Dirsmith, founder, ARR Deerfield Pup Stop, at claudettedirsmith@gmail.com or through Facebook, www.facebook.com/groups/175366642956238.

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