VAN NUYS — As part of a desperate effort to make room in local shelters for some of the more than 300 cats and dogs rescued from a property in the Lake Hughes area amid allegations of animal cruelty, an animal-rescue group flew about 100 animals from LA to the Chicago area early Tuesday.
Paws for Life K9 Rescue and the air-transport nonprofit Wings of Rescue plan moved nearly 100 dogs — many of them mothers and puppies — out of a Los Angeles Animal Services shelter and flew them to the Chicago area where they can be placed for adoption.
“By flying these at-risk pets from severely overcrowded shelters to communities with open kennels and adopters, the two groups are creating urgently needed space for the hundreds of dogs and cats seized in the recent historic hoarding case, while giving the transported animals an immediate chance at safe, loving homes,’’ according to a statement released by organizers of the flight.
Alex Tonner, founder and president of Paws for Life K9 Rescue, told KTLA5 during the early morning operation at Van Nuys Airport said her group worked with Wings of Rescue to arrange the flight within about 48 hours. She said the operation was needed to clear shelter space for the roughly 300 animals seized by county officials during a raid at a Lake Hughes property on Friday.
“In order to make room for those animals — kennels don’t appear magically, so they (shelter officials) start to euthanize the animals that are currently at their shelters,’’ Tonner said.
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control took the unprecedented step of opening its Animal Care Centers on Sunday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. to help more animals find homes, and hoping to clear shelter space to make room for the recently seized animals.
“Right now, all seven of our care centers are supporting a large- scale animal seizure — an effort that is placing significant demand on our staff, space, and resources,’’ according to the department. “Creating space is critical so we can continue to provide care for animals coming into our system. Adoption is one of the most immediate and impactful ways you can help.’’
Roughly 250 dogs and 66 cats were found during the raid Friday in Lake Hughes.