Volunteers from Rancho Coastal Humane Society transfer remove rescued dogs from Wings of Rescue aircraft. Photo: Gina Yarbrough/San Diego County News
SAN DIEGO–Three “Wings of Rescue” planes left Memphis, Tennessee on Valentine’s Day morning carrying 325 dogs and 96 cats. The animals were flown to San Diego, Buffalo, Spokane and Seattle.
The 18 dogs arriving at Montgomery Field will be transferred to Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS) in Encinitas where they will become available for adoption.
“This isn’t our first time working with Wings of Rescue,” says RCHS spokesman John Van Zante. “In September RCHS and four of our San Diego animal rescue partners took in 65 ‘Flood Hounds’ when wet weather devastated parts of Louisiana. It’s an extension of our FOCAS program. No pet should die because it was born in the wrong state.”
Van Zante says that the cats and dogs arriving on Valentine’s Day will come from six shelters and rescue groups in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. “Wings of Rescue posted a video on their Facebook with an interview from the ‘Humane Society of the Delta’ in Helena, Arkansas. They have 166 dogs being cared for by one full-time and three part-time staff members. The Wings of Rescue flights will save lives and give them a chance to regroup and start over.”
The animals will be transported to Rancho Coastal Humane Society. They will receive health and behavior examinations, have vaccinations updated, and be spayed or neutered before they become available for adoption.
Rancho Coastal Humane Society is accepting donations to help cover the costs.
For more information call (760) 753-6413, visit the shelter at 389 Requeza Street in Encinitas, or visit www.sdpets.org.
