A group of dogs – 37 in all – arrived by plane in the Milwaukee area on Tuesday from Southern California, where devastating wildfires there in recent weeks have stressed the resources of animal shelters.
The pets on the flight were already housed in shelters in Ventura County, located along the southern coast of California, and were available for adoption prior to the wildfires that have ravaged areas in and around Los Angeles.
“We were able to help them clear out a portion of their shelter so that they are more readily able to help animals that were perhaps displaced by the fires so they have a higher chance of being reunified with their owners, or serve people who are having housing issues and can’t have their animals with them. This will create space in those shelters,” Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County Executive Director Maggie Tate-Techtmann said. “We’re happy to welcome dogs in need to our community.”
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Ten of the 37 dogs are being housed at HAWS. The others went to partner shelters in the area. The dogs are expected to be available for adoption within the next few days, with some perhaps being ready by Thursday.
Among the dogs awaiting adoption at HAWS is Charles Jr., who Tate-Techtmann described as a lovable pitbull.
“He’s an amazing ball of energy, a very sweet boy, and reminds me how resilient dogs are, and how much we can all learn from them,” Tate-Techtmann said.
The widespread Southern California wildfires this month have created challenges for displaced animals and shelters throughout the region, Humane Society of the United States Disaster Response Program Manager Celia Jackson said.
“Santa Ana winds compounded the situation by knocking down fences and gates, leading to an influx of stray animals entering Ventura County Animal Services,” Jackson said. “By helping transport dogs who were already up for adoption out of California, we are able to put local animal shelters in a better position to care for additional displaced animals.”
The flight was organized by the HSUS and transported by Wings of Rescue, a California-based group of volunteer pilots who transport at-risk dogs and cats.
Shelter admissions have been on the rise across the country and pets are waiting longer to find their “forever families,” with HAWS also supporting more pets in need than in previous years even before the arrival of the dogs from California, Tate-Techtmann said.
“We’re grateful for a wonderful community that makes this lifesaving work possible and supports HAWS as we meet the need of pets in our communities,” she said. “Now is a great time to come and adopt your new best friend.”
