CROSS-COUNTRY RESCUE FLIGHT TRANSPORTS MORE THAN 40 DOGS AND PUPPIES FROM CALIFORNIA TO LONG ISLAND TO BEGIN NEW LIVES

North Shore Animal League America Collaborates with Riverside County Department of Animal Services and Race For Life Rescue for This Airlift

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- North Shore Animal League America - the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization – welcomed more than 40 rescued dogs and puppies from the greater Los Angeles area to their Long Island campus on Saturday night, March 8.

Many people and animals are still displaced because of the wildfires and many shelters remain at capacity as animals continue to be relinquished. Working closely with Riverside County Department of Animal Services, Animal League America coordinated the rescue air transport to help open space in their shelters by taking some of those relinquished animals.

Collaborating with Race For Life Rescue, the animals were flown on board their customized commuter, converted to cargo, aircraft. Originating Saturday morning from Chino, CA, the plane landed in Allentown, PA and was greeted by Animal League America's mobile adoption units along with staff and volunteers for the final leg of the trip to our Port Washington, NY campus.

"We have been in touch with our shelter partners across California offering any assistance we could provide since the devastating wildfires hit.  We were able to send much needed supplies to our partners as they continued to assess their needs," said Joanne Yohannan, SVP, Operations, North Shore Animal League America.  "Experience has taught us that the need for support continues long after the initial emergency efforts as this large-scale rescue illustrates.  It is truly gratifying to be able to assist our shelter partners open space and to bring these dogs and puppies to our campus to find loving homes."

"With more dogs entering our shelters than our community can adopt, our shelters are facing massive overcrowding as more pets arrive each day, so this transport flight is vital," said Daylin Valencia, Riverside County Department of Animal Services Programs Manager. "Preparing these dogs for their cross-country journey is a massive operation for all staff involved, but our dedicated team is committed to giving these dogs, and all pets in our care, the loving homes they deserve." 

While in Animal League America's care, they'll be seen by Veterinary, Behavior, and Grooming staff and allowed to relax and decompress from their travels before being cleared for adoption in the coming days and weeks.

For more information on our life-saving work, including adoption, pet health & wellness, volunteering, and donations please visit www.animalleague.org

Media Contact:

KATHLEEN LYNN
Senior Director of Communications
Phone: (516) 528-7878
Email: [email protected]

About NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE AMERICA
North Shore Animal League America has saved more than 1.2 Million lives.  As the world's largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization, we understand that a rescue isn't complete until each animal is placed into a loving home.  Our innovative programs provide education to reduce animal cruelty and advance standards in animal welfare.  Our staff and volunteers work tirelessly in the pursuit of our vision of a world where all companion animals find permanent homes and end the euthanasia.  For more information, visit www.animalleague.org

About RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES
Mission: Working together to improve Riverside County for people and animals
Vision: Promoting an environment of responsible pet ownership through progressive animal welfare initiatives, community outreach, and humane education in a culture of compassion, creativity, and integrity.
Core Values: We believe the character of our organization is best reflected in the strong dedication of each of us to strive to meet the highest standards of performance and compassion on behalf of the animals and people we serve.
As stewards of those who cannot speak for themselves, we recognize society has entrusted us with a great responsibility. Our community's expectations and trust give us the courage to perform our duties with transparency, honor, empathy, and compassion.

We meet this vision through our shared commitment to:

• Demonstrating respect, sensitivity, and understanding toward all people and animals.
• Improving Riverside County through education, humane sheltering, responsible pet placement, progressive law enforcement, and reduction of pet overpopulation.
• Using adoption, education, and veterinary medical programs as an alternative to euthanasia.
• Seeking lifetime homes for the pets we place.
• Providing the tools, environment, and information to foster a safe and healthy workplace with an emphasis on teamwork.
• Collaborating to improve Riverside County for its people and animals.

www.rcdas.org 

About RACE FOR LIFE RESCUE
Founded in 2021, Race for Life Rescue is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide air transport for animals, rescuing them from overcrowded shelters where they face euthanasia, areas affected by natural disaster, and unhealthy living environments to adoption centers where they can find safe, loving homes.

Our goal is to work with our pilots, donors, partners, and volunteers to help save the lives of as many animals as possible. Without us, their fate is uncertain, and an unnecessary tragedy. Together, we can change the statistics. www.raceforliferescue.org 

SOURCE North Shore Animal League America