California ‘Detector Dogs’: How shelter pups safeguard farmlands, local crops from pests

A federal program is giving a second shot at life to shelter dogs while ensuring the protection of California farmlands. 

With funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the California Department of Food and Agriculture deploys dog teams to various counties to investigate shipping terminals and uncover pests that could — if released — devastate local crops. Many of the “Detector Dogs” come from shelters and rescues before they’re identified as top candidates for USDA training.