Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?
My name is Chris Bishop and I have been with my partner Michael Walls almost 14 years. We are both from Atlanta. Georgia and now currently live in Blairsville, GA. We also care for my eldery parents who are 77 and 82 and need 24 hour care. We started Southern Journey Animal Rescue and Transport Inc in 2014. We are a Georgia Licensed, 501c3 non-profit animal rescue. We rescue domestic animals from all over the state of Georgia. We house them, vet them and provide them with unconditional love, that most have never known. Once the animals are ready we drive them up to northern states, where the laws protecting animals are much better and they have a higher chance of finding their forever homes. As of 2022, we have rescued and transported over 9,000 animals to find their forever homes.
Tell us one thing you love about the place you live now?
Blairsville, Georgia is nestled in the mountains of North Georgia. It is absolutely beautiful. We love the lakes here with mountains all around them. It definitely helps to keep you refreshed and focused.
Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?
In 2014, my partner and I, we were driving through a Walmart parking lot and saw a sign for puppies being given away for free so we stopped. One puppy remained. The lady told us to please take him or she was going to dump him out at animal control. At first being animal lovers we couldn't imagine such an horrendous act. We immediately told her we would take him and he jumped in the car like he was desperate for an escape. We knew then we were his chance at that escape and a forever home. His name is Guiness and he is over 100 lbs and loves life and is the best dog ever. This made us wonder how many other animals were in this same predicament? How could we help? So, we researched and found out the amazing animal laws in the northern states and knew if we could get these dogs to them they could also have their escape to a better life. And, so it began. Of course, it didn't just skyrocket it took time. And, gradually we grew and now after saving over 9,000 animals and counting we feel blessed to be able to make a small, impact on the world around us. We have helped many, many more families like Guiness's previous owner rehome their animals. The animals might have found a different fate without our program.
What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won’t forget about?
The best feedback is from families who have adopted one of our southern animals. Seeing them in happy homes and getting updates yearly as the animal we saved grows up literally brings tears to your eyes knowing the are safe, happy, healthy and very much loved.
What has been your biggest struggle so far and how do you deal with it?
Social media has been a huge struggle. There are only 2 of us doing everything. And, when you have 30 to 50 animals at one time caring for them it makes it hard to keep up with your social media. To share your image is extremely important and it is how we financially can do this work. So, it has been a struggle, but we are definitely trying our best.
Where do you see your company in the future?
In the future, with the support of donors and people like yourself, we hope to be able to save and house even more animals. We would also like to purchase a second transport vehicle to do multiple transports at a time. It truly takes a village and we hope we can build a strong community of people who are willing to help the helpless.
Any shout outs you want to make?
We would definitely like to make a shoutout to Top Dogs Pet Boutique in Georgia who helps us tremendously and supports us 100 percent. We are very grateful for their support.
What’s one mistake you made in the beginning and what did you learn from it?
I naively thought bringing people onboard would be a cakewalk: I am offering great job opportunities and a pool of vetted professionals at no cost. What's not to like? I very quickly learned that in asking people to join our community, we were asking for their trust and their time. And that is no small ask!
If someone wants to start a business, what's advice that will help them?
To make any dream a reality it takes hard work and dedication. Trust in yourself and anything is possible.
Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?
http://www.southernjourney.org
http://www.facebook.com/southernjourneyrescue
http://www.instagram.com/southernjourneyrescue
http://www.tiktok.com/southernjourneyrescue
http://www.youtube.com/southernjourneyrescue
https://linktr.ee/southernjourneyrescue
CBS news coverage: https://www.cbs46.com/video/2022/08/24/southern-journey-animal-rescue-asks-help/
https://gbj.com/blairsville/pets-animals/southern-journey-animal-rescue-and-transport-inc
