Local group helps Texas dogs find Minnesota homes

It all started a couple of years ago when a volunteer with the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society moved from Texas to Minnesota.

Volunteers knew firsthand the need to find good homes for dogs down south, so they decided to bring them here.

For some dogs like Plex, life is no walk in the park. But now, this Mastiff mix from the Lone Star state isn't alone anymore.

"He's as sweet as can be and we just couldn't say no to him," said Susan Kroon from the humane society.

Plex is one of about 100 dogs who were rescued from kill shelters in Texas and brought to the Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society, a.k.a. Benches.

Benches is part of an informal network of about 15 shelters in Minnesota that coordinates volunteers with rescue groups to transport dogs who have no hope down south.

"They go into kill shelters, look for dogs that are healthy and have good disposition. They rescue them, get them vetted out," Kroon said.

Some like Brody are just puppies. The Catahoula Leopard dog's blue eyes almost guarantee he'll find a good home.

Others are more likely to be adopted here in Minnesota because their species are more common in their home state.

"We're getting the most dogs out of impounds and safely tucked into a shelter. That's a benefit to us," Kroon said.

The dogs go fast; the last shipment of about a dozen arrived in Mankato last week and more than half have already been adopted.

In all, about 800 dogs from Texas have found new homes through the network.