Los Angeles CA – In California, Chihuahuas are small and mighty – and too many. In Colorado, there’s a big demand for small dogs. Helping to solve this supply-and-demand dilemma in a life-saving way is Pet Airways.
For the fourth time in one month, Pet Airways transported 29 California Chihuahuas to Colorado on Jan. 14. Three Los Angeles area animal shelters arrived with vans filled with spirited, vocal Chihuahuas at Pet Airways’ Hawthorne National Airport hub. A few hours later, these lucky dogs were aboard a Pet Airways plane bound for the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport hub in Broomfield, Colo. where staff from the Denver Dumb Friends League were on hand to welcome these pint-sized pooches and aid in helping them land permanent, loving homes.
“Pet Airways is totally dedicated to the safety, care and comfort of pets,” said Alysa Binder, co-founder and executive vice president. “We are excited and happy to be part of these rescue efforts and saving the lives of these wonderful dogs. We have been fortunate to work with a number of different shelter groups in California to stop pets from being euthanized.”
Participating California shelters in the Jan. 14 rescue included the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, SEAACA in Downing and Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA. Since late December, Pet Airways has transported more than 150 Chihuahuas and small dogs from California shelters to Denver.
“We have too many Chihuahuas here in California and apparently, Denver wants them,” said Madeline Bernstein, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, who supervised the transport of more than a dozen Chihuahuas from her shelter. “So with the cooperation of a donor, Pet Airways, SPCA LA and the Denver Dumb Friends League, the Chihuahuas are flying today [Jan. 14]. The last time we did this, they were all adopted.”
The Jan. 14 transport drew a camera crew from the Lopez Tonight show that features actor-comedian George Lopez, who is a dog lover. The new talk show airs weeknights on TBS. The episode featuring Pet Airways is scheduled to run the week of Jan. 17. Check your local listings.
Comedian Chris Regan, a regular on the Lopez Tonight Show, was on hand to chronicle the Chihuahua event and playfully envied Pet Airways “pawsengers” for receiving more attention than he does when he books a flight on a commercial airlines.
“All jokes aside, what is happening today is truly great. These dogs are getting a second chance at life,” said Regan.
Holding a small terrier mix who delivered doggy kisses, Kevin McManus, mobile outreach coordinator for the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA, was all smiles inside the Pet Airways lobby after sending best wishes to four of his shelter animals aboard the Denver-bound flight.
“Pet Airways is so awesome because they are taking this little girl and three of our
Chihuahuas to new, forever homes and we really appreciate it,” said McManus.
To follow this rescue effort and how the dogs travel, please visit www.petairways.com.
spcaLA is an independent, nonprofit animal welfare organization serving Southern California since 1877. There is no national SPCA, parent organization, or umbrella group that provides financial support to spcaLA. Donations run programs and services include Cruelty Investigation, the Disaster Animal Response Team, Humane Education, and a variety of shelter services. For more information about spcaLA, visit www.spcaLA.com.
About the Dumb Friends League
As the leading animal welfare organization in the Rocky Mountain region, the Dumb Friends League has been helping pets and people in metro Denver and surrounding areas for nearly 100 years. The League has two shelter locations: its main shelter at 2080 S. Quebec St. in Denver and the Buddy Center at 4556 Castleton Court in Castle Rock. For more information about the Dumb Friends League, visit www.ddfl.org.
Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA is an independent, donor-supported, non-profit agency that provides animal care for abandoned and homeless animals. PHS is responsible for animal control and welfare for seven area cities that include LaCañada-Flintridge, San Marino, Sierra Madre and Arcadia, Glendale, Pasadena and South Pasadena. Learn more by visiting www.phsspca.org.
SEAACA is an animal control facility that serves these Los Angeles area cities: Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Buena Park, Downey, Lakewood, La Palma, Montebello, Norwalk, Paramount, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, South El Monte, South Gate and Vernon. Learn more by visiting www.seaaca.org.
About Pet Airways
Pet Airways is the first airline specifically designed for the safe, comfortable, efficient transportation of pets. Pet Airways' “pawsengers” travel in the specially equipped main cabin of its planes - well-lit, climate-controlled and pressurized - with a trained pet attendant on duty at all times. With Pet Airways, pet parents can be assured their pets will be treated with tender, loving care throughout the journey. The airline launched in 2009, and provides coast-to-coast service from Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Omaha, Chicago, Baltimore, New York and Ft. Lauderdale. Follow the rescue and how the dogs travel on the Pet Airways website, www.petairways.com.
