This 7-year-old is saving hundreds of dogs’ lives with Project Freedom Ride

Roman McConn is just 7 years old, but has already made a difference in the lives of 1,500 dogs — and their new families.

He and his mother Jen, formerly of Sedro-Woolley and now of Georgia, founded Project Freedom Ride, a nonprofit that partners with Texas animal rescues to move dogs to Washington and other northern states so that they can be adopted.

While living in Texas a few years ago, Roman and his parents adopted their dog Luna, and were devastated to learn that the shelter, like many others in the area, euthanizes animals that do not get adopted to make room for new ones. Unlike pet-friendly Washington, they found, Texas has a large number of high kill shelters.

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“I didn’t want them to get put down from euthanasia, because all they are is just euthanizing for space,” Roman told the Dori Monson Show. “And I know that’s not really appropriate because they need to get homes.”

Immediately, Roman took action, and the family founded their nonprofit in December 2016.

“We originally thought it would be one transport and that’s it,” he said.

But that was far from “it.” Over two years later, Project Freedom Ride has saved the lives of 1,500 dogs by transporting them directly to new homes and to no-kill shelters in the Pacific Northwest.

Roman has been featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and received the 2018 Tommy P. Monahan Kid of the Year Award from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

However, he doesn’t do it for the glory and he certainly doesn’t let his newfound fame distract from his mission.

“If they’re in Texas, they have less chance of finding a home,” Roman said of the dogs. “And then when they get up to Washington, there are more adopters.”

The journey has not always been easy, though. Jen works full-time and still runs Project Freedom Ride on top of that.

What’s more, costs are an ever-present concern. PFR is entirely donation-driven and typically spends between $5,000 and $15,000 on transports per month. A recent transport of 113 dogs to Washington cost Project Freedom Ride $17,500.

“We go through money incredibly fast,” Jen said. “But so far, we must have somebody great looking over us because we’ve been able to raise enough money every month just through donations.”

If you would like to donate to or are even thinking about adopting a new best friend, visit Project Freedom Ride’s Facebook page and Instagram account, @projectfreedomride. You can view dogs available for adoption in Project Freedom Ride’s Facebook photos, and then contact the rescue listed in the description to find out how to fill out an application. PFR does a thorough vetting process, including a video-chat home check, a reference check with landlords, veterinarians, and personal references. If the adoption for some reason doesn’t work, then PFR requires the dog to be returned to PFR to be placed somewhere else, rather than taken to another shelter.

Roman’s love of dogs goes back to his earliest memories. His family has three dogs — Luna, Zion, and Rue — and has has lived with pooches his entire life.

“I was born with dogs and I really had no choice to not like dogs,” he laughed.

Though he’s just 7, Roman has already made long-term career plans — and they include continuing the nonprofit.

“My dream for PFR would be if, in the next couple years, they could save maybe over 3,000 dogs,” he said.

He paused and set his sights even higher: “Maybe the entire United States, and then from the United States, move on to other countries.”

Last week, Roman returned to his former home of Skagit County to inspire students at Mount Vernon’s Jefferson Elementary to use their passions to make a difference in the world.

“If there’s a cause you want to change, don’t wait til it’s fixed,” he said. “You can help fix it.”

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