Toyota Sienna Helps Transport Rescued Puppies to New Homes

The minivan's features made it the ideal choice for the cross-country rescue mission.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A Toyota Sienna minivan was recently part of an "inspiring partnership" between Toyota, other automakers, and the Operation Frodo dog rescue team to transport 24 rescued puppies across the country to their new forever homes. The Sienna's practical features like low step-in height, wide passenger doors, and flat load floors made it the perfect vehicle for the mission.

Why it matters

Minivans have long been an essential tool for animal rescue operations, providing the space and accessibility needed to safely transport rescued pets. This partnership highlights how automakers can support important community initiatives while also showcasing the real-world capabilities of their vehicles.

The details

The puppies, part of Operation Frodo's 2024 rescue efforts, were transported from Omaha, Nebraska to Portland, Oregon in the Toyota Sienna Woodland. Toyota donated $6,000 and Toyota-branded dog items to support the rescue mission. Toyota employee Jennifer Greenfelder drove the Sienna and personally cared for one of the puppies, named Cora, during the journey.

  • The rescue mission took place in February 2026.
  • Operation Frodo was launched in 2024 as part of the Animal Rescue Rigs program.

The players

Toyota

A Japanese automaker that donated a Sienna minivan and $6,000 to support the Operation Frodo dog rescue mission.

Operation Frodo

A dog rescue team that launched in 2024 as part of the Animal Rescue Rigs program, with the goal of transporting rescued puppies to new homes across the country.

Jennifer Greenfelder

A corporate communications senior analyst with Toyota's Midwest Region who drove the Sienna minivan carrying the rescued puppies.

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What they’re saying

“Minivans once again proved irreplaceable. Their low floors and open interiors make them ideal for transporting animals safely and efficiently. Marketing departments have spent years trying to make minivans cool again. Rescue work never stopped needing them.”

— Nik Miles, Founder of Operation Frodo

“We were each charged with one dog to take care of. This included driving them, walking, playing, feeding and keeping them overnight in our hotel room. Cora was the sweetest. In the short time I had her, we bonded. I loved her so much and was devastated to leave her.”

— Jennifer Greenfelder, Toyota corporate communications senior analyst

What’s next

Cora, one of the rescued puppies, has since been adopted into her "forever home". The other dogs from the rescue mission found homes in Denver, Oregon, or foster homes expecting to be adopted soon.

The takeaway

This partnership between Toyota, other automakers, and the Operation Frodo rescue team demonstrates the essential role that practical and versatile vehicles like minivans play in supporting important community initiatives. By leveraging their resources and capabilities, automakers can make a meaningful difference in the lives of rescued animals and the people who care for them.