More than 20 dogs from a crowded animal shelter in Los Angeles came to San Diego on Wednesday to be put up for adoption.
The San Diego Humane Society and the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have partnered up in a new animal relocation program to help ease crowding in Los Angeles County shelters.
"We are proud to partner with the ASPCA and our colleagues in Los Angeles as we work together to save more lives," San Diego Humane Society President and CEO Gary Weitzman said. "The San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition has been collaborating for years in transporting animals throughout San Diego County so we understand firsthand how impactful transport programs can be for homeless animals."
Spokeswoman Kelli Schry said 25 dogs and puppies made the two-hour trek from Los Angeles for an adoption event Wednesday at the San Diego Humane Society location at 5500 Gaines St.
Each dog will be checked by a veterinarian and adopted out on a first-come, first-served basis. Most of the dogs are available for immediate adoption, Schry said. A few still need to be spayed or neutered and a litter of nine 5-day-old puppies will be eligible for adoption when they're 8 weeks old.
Officials with the local Humane Society said their agency was the first chosen by the ASPCA for the Los Angeles animal relocation program because of the level of commitment their employees have shown in caring for shelter animals.
"We're excited to launch our animal relocation program in Los Angeles with San Diego Humane Society as our first partner, " ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said. "Relocating pets gives them a critical second chance at survival, and is a vital element in our overall commitment to animals in the area. "
