- PRIMA runs a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue group called PAWS of Austin that, with a group of dedicated volunteers, saves dogs across Texas. However, Prima wanted to save even more dogs—a busload at a time! Prima named the expanded program Pets Across USA and recruited four volunteers to accompany her on the first trip. Prima fostered a whole litter of puppies as well as several other dogs for the trip.
- ANGELA has volunteered with PAWS of Austin for several years, offering helping care for dogs at adoption events. Angela also did extensive preparation of the bus as well as planning the routes and stops along the way. Angela fostered Mona and several other dogs for the trip.
- EVE only learned about the Pets Across USA program two weeks before the bus left on the trip. She was petting and hugging the dogs at Town Lake Animal Center and bumped into Prima who told her about the program. Eve immediately jumped at the opportunity and also fostered Daisy and Petunia in her home before the trip.
- PHOEBE has been an active volunteer with PAWS of Austin for several years, fostering 25-30 dogs over the past few years. She felt the trip was a great cause and eagerly sacrificed her vacation time to be a part of it. Phoebe also fostered Possum in her home for the trip.
- MITZI first met Prima while volunteering to rescue dogs after Hurricane Katrina. Mitzi strongly believes that educating people about animal welfare is the only solution to the pet-overpopulation problem. While the other volunteers slept in the hotels during trip, Mitzi stayed on the bus with the yelping puppies overnight to look after them.