Rescue Flight Takes 65 Pets to New Homes in Northern States

Sixty-five puppies and dogs from four local shelters woke up in Alabama bright and early on May 31, but will fall asleep in either Pennsylvania or Delaware, many in their new forever homes.

Twenty-three of the lucky puppies and dogs on this rescue flight were contributed by Mobile County Animal Shelter.

ASPCA arranged a Wings of Rescue flight and Mobile SPCA coordinated with Mobile County Animal Shelter, City of Mobile Animal Shelter, Baldwin County Animal Shelter, and brought animals from their own local shelter to fill a plane with furry passengers.

More than 50 volunteers and shelter staff members worked to gather, crate, deliver, and load the puppies and dogs onto the plane for transport.

According to Robin Strickland with Mobile SPCA, these puppies and dogs will be in new homes within 48 hours, many will go to their forever homes or to foster this afternoon.

Alabama experiences pet overpopulation, but states with more stringent spay/neuter laws have more people wanting pets than are pets available. Rescue flights and other transport are crucial solutions to the imbalance in pet populations and helps relieve shelter overcrowding. This system relies on coordinated efforts between animal rescue organizations, volunteers, shelters, and aviation partners.

Mobile County Animal Shelter still has 62 adoptable puppies and dogs available. Adult dogs are fully sponsored (no adoption fees). All animals adopted from the Mobile County Animal Shelter receive a microchip, 5-in-1 vaccine, spay or neuter, one-year rabies vaccine, wormer, and the first dose of heartworm/flea preventative. Heartworm treatments are sponsored as well.

Mobile County Animal Shelter’s adoption hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The shelter is located at 7665 Howell’s Ferry Road, Mobile AL 36618. To see dogs and puppies available for adoption, go to mobilecountyal.gov/animal-shelter/dogs-for-adoption/.

On June 6, Mobile County Animal Shelter will have adoptable pets available from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Semmes Farmers’ Market.