All volunteers.
All heart.
Furry Freight Shelter Transport was founded in 2018 by Kim Wilken, a registered nurse in Bend, Oregon, after she witnessed the stark disparity between overcrowded shelters in other states and the high adoption demand in the Pacific Northwest.
That first road trip — driving pets away from the threat of euthanasia to waiting forever homes — became the foundation of what is now Furry Freight.
Our programs are fully volunteer-run, and we are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Every mile driven, every transport coordinated, and every animal cared for along the way is the work of people who simply want to help.
Some of our amazing volunteers in action
Our Programs
Transport
Across much of the country, shelters are stretched beyond capacity. They welcome more animals than their communities can adopt, and even with dedicated staff doing everything they can, healthy, adoptable dogs and cats can run out of time.
In the Pacific Northwest, many shelters have the space and adopters these animals need.
Furry Freight connects those two realities. We partner with high-intake shelters in overpopulated areas to transport at-risk animals directly to trusted Pacific Northwest shelters, where they quickly find loving homes.
Just by changing their location, pets go from overlooked and at risk to adopted and adored.
Spay it Forward
Transport saves lives today - Spay it Forward helps prevent tomorrow's need for rescue.
The program funds spay and neuter surgeries for pets whose families want to do the right thing but need help with the cost. Our first surgery was funded in December 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at no cost to the owner. Since then, we have established regular surgery appointments through our rescue partners, and are working to expand access to additional clinics.
At an average of $80 per surgery, each procedure can prevent hundreds of future at-risk animals each year.
Meet the board
Kim Wilken
Founder & Board Member
Kim is a registered nurse living in Bend, Oregon. After moving to Oregon and seeing the space available, and knowing other areas of the country were still euthanizing for space, decided to start transporting animals. She has had a love for companion animals since she was a child and has spent many hours volunteering at rescues, shelters, a high volume spay and neuter clinic and practicing TNR for community cats. Other interests include hiking, paddle boarding, traveling, and spending time with her husband Bryan and two spoiled dogs.
Olivia Brumwell
Board Member
Born and raised in Bend, Oregon, Olivia has supported Furry Freight for over three years through a variety of volunteer efforts before joining the board. Her background includes experience as a veterinary assistant and a long-standing commitment to animal welfare, including fostering and volunteering with local spay and neuter programs. Olivia lives with her two rescue dogs, Harvey and Aero, and works as the Director of Operations at a youth-centered nonprofit. Outside of her professional and volunteer commitments, she enjoys rock climbing, vintage furniture restoration, and gardening.
Patty Baragona
Board Member
After working for 20+ years as a Bookkeeper, Office Manager and retail Assistant Manager, Patty and her husband, Paul, retired to Bend in 2014. Patty started volunteering for Habitat for Humanity and later became a full-time employee. Patty was the volunteer Treasurer for the Bend Pickleball Club for 2019-2020. In 2024, Patty learned of and became involved with Furry Freight after meeting Kim at Bingo night and has helped with their mission since. Her favorite pastimes are pickleball and her rescue puppy, Lucy.
Furry Freight Shelter Transport is an Oregon registered 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax-deductible. Employer Identification (Tax ID) Number: 82-4423390
For copies of our federal tax exemption application with forms, determination letter, and annual returns (once available), write us at PO Box 93, Bend OR 97709.