Have you ever wondered what the rescue process is like? It varies from one organization to another but here's ours:
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We undergo a strict vetting process each time we start a rescue partnership with shelters and other rescues. Most times we are contacted by other organizations with partnership requests. We research each one to ensure their legitimacy and that their values and practices align with ours. We typically exchange relevant tax documents, industry references, our vets' contact information, our mission statement and visit each other's social media platforms as part of the vetting process.
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Once a partnership is established, we are emailed a list of dogs available for transfer, along with their medical records, behavioral notes, foster journals and videos of them interacting with other dogs and sometimes, children and cats. We make our selection and email our foster network with the dogs' photos, videos and bios, and pray we secure enough fosters to save them all! We also post on our Facebook page and Instagram account to hopefully secure more fosters and get adoption applications for these dogs. 
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Sometimes a dog we've selected gets adopted in their hometown before their Freedom Ride and that is great! Either way, both our partner and us finalize the list of dogs we are "pulling" from them. Per the Washington State Department of Agriculture, these dogs have to be examined by a vet no earlier than 2-10 days prior to departure day, to ensure they are healthy and fit for travel. If they are, they will be given a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, which is needed to cross state lines. All dogs will need to be current on core vaccines and test negative for Heartworm. 
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Concurrently, we arrange for their transportation to our facility in Edmonds, WA.  On the day of departure, the Freedom Bus makes multiple stops to various shelters to pick up dogs headed for CO, WA and OR. They make scheduled stops along the way and have an army of volunteers waiting at each stop, to help potty, water and feed all the dogs. There are typically at least 2 drivers per bus; one sleeps while the other drives and they rotate to ensure the bus keeps moving for the 2 days it typically takes them to get from TX to WA. The dogs we rescue from Louisiana leave a day earlier to get to TX, to get on the Freedom Bus before they all head to WA. 

On the day of arrival, our fosters are included in a group text to receive ETA updates. They arrive slightly before the Freedom Bus arrives so we can load up their vehicle with dog food, crate, waste bags and any other supplies needed such as diapers, pee pads, blankets etc.