On Sunday, August 13, approximately 160 dogs made their way to Delaware. Prior residents of the Phoenix animal shelter, the dogs landed in New Castle County Airport ready for their forever homes.
According to AZ Central, the transportation of the dogs came at a time of crisis for the shelter. In the heat of the summer months, the shelter had become terribly overcrowded, and with no homes for the pups, there was likely to be only one alternative for many of the dogs.
Fortunately, the shelter found help from various organizations including GreaterGood.org, a charity specializing in improving animal welfare, which funded the flight of Delaware’s new furry friends. The flight was also funded by Wings of Rescue, a charity that works to airlift animals in life-threatening situations.
“It’s no small feat, logistically, to get all those animals to us,” said Brandywine Valley SPCA director of marketing Linda Torelli. “But it’s necessary to save those animals’ lives.”
The dogs were transported from the airport to two shelters in New Castle County and West Chester, Pennsylvania by a total of 20 volunteers from St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center and Brandywine Valley SPCA. This isn’t Brandywine Valley SPCA’s first rodeo with shelter dogs, either.
According to Delaware Online, Brandywine had previously taken up to 250 dogs from shelters in Los Angeles as well as Phoenix back in June 2017. A glint of hope for the future of the current shelter dogs: all of the previous 250 have been adopted.
“We have a clear-the-shelter day coming up, so this is actually really good timing,” said Brandywine Valley SPCA volunteer, Michele Boehmer.
A majority of the dogs were smaller breeds, a fact that Torelli says may be a hit in the tri-state area where large dogs are more common. Another hit with potential adoptees may be the fact that dogs of all breeds have been proven in a study by the Miami University of Ohio to reduce loneliness.
Up to 80% of Americans report that receiving flowers brings them joy, but in terms of long-term happiness puppies are the clear winner. LiveScience reports that not only are dogs and other pets a great source of comfort for countless people, but they also make those who live with them (up to 75% of American renters have pets) both happier and healthier than those who don’t.
Now, American families in the state of Delaware will have their chance at improving not only their own lives, but the lives of a shelter dog in need.
“We’re looking at getting them in and out the door as quickly as possible,” said Boehmer. “So that they can find comfort — from an airplane to a bed, a sofa, in someone’s loving arms, taking a walk out in the neighborhood — as soon as possible.”