SAN DIEGO, CA — Dozens of animals will be transported from San Diego Humane Society and Orange County Animal Care to make space for pets displaced by the Los Angeles area wildfires.
Global nonprofit Greater Good Charities will fly more than 50 adoptable pets — 33 of which come from San Diego Humane Society — from Gillespie Field in El Cajon to Northern California and Oregon.
“Within hours of the outbreak of the fires, Greater Good Charities was already mobilizing our response,” Greater Good Charities CEO Liz Baker said. “This emergency flight is an important part of our larger response to provide critically needed aid to those affected: from displaced families and unhoused populations to injured animals, overwhelmed pet shelters, and damaged ecosystems.”
The flight will allow San Diego Humane Society to continue to take in animals from overwhelmed shelters in the Greater Los Angeles area to make space for lost and injured pets.
“This transport lets us step up and give our friends in Los Angeles the support they need during this devastating crisis, and for that we are incredibly grateful,” said Dr. Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of San Diego Humane Society. “The fires in L.A. are heartbreaking, and we’re fully committed to doing everything we can to help our neighbors through this.”
The flight will depart Friday morning and make a stop in Hayward, California, before arriving in Oregon in the afternoon.
The dogs and cats will be transported from the airport to receiving shelters, where they will be evaluated and receive any follow-up medical care needed before being placed up for adoption. The receiving shelters include Oregon Humane Society, East Bay SPCA, Marin Humane and Humane Society of Sonoma County and Pets in Need.
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