More than 100 dogs boarded a plane out of L.A. Tuesday in a last-minute rescue mission to save them from euthanasia — a crisis set off by a massive animal seizure at a Lake Hughes property just days earlier.
Alex Tonner, founder and CEO of Paws for Life K9 Rescue, coordinated the operation alongside Wings of Rescue and L.A. Animal Services. According to KTLA, Tonner explained the urgency while speaking live as the plane prepared for takeoff.
“L.A. County received 250 dogs and a lot of cats on Friday. So, in order to make room for those animals — the kennels don’t appear magically — they start to euthanize the animals that are currently at their shelters,” Tonner said.
The shelter space crisis began after authorities served a search warrant Friday at a property on the 46000 block of 226th Street West in Lake Hughes, seizing roughly 250 dogs and 66 cats amid suspected animal welfare violations. Veterinary teams triaged animals on-site, rushing those in critical condition to hospitals while others went to county animal care centers for evaluation and treatment.
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC) called it a record-breaking case. “This is the largest number of dogs and cats that DACC has ever seized and may be the largest case ever in the United States,” the agency said in a social media post cited by FOX 11.
As shelters strained under the sudden influx, some sent out urgent pleas to rescue groups, asking them to take the animals most at risk — especially nursing mothers and puppies. Tonner’s team responded fast.
“We took 116 dogs in total, and we were able to call Wings of Rescue and put this flight together,” Tonner said.
The dogs flew out of Van Nuys Airport, bound for Gary, Indiana, before continuing on to the Chicago area, where various rescue organizations will place them up for adoption. Rick Brody of Wings of Rescue captured what was at stake.
“It isn’t a second chance at life for them. It is their only chance at life,” Brody said.
A volunteer who worked to get the dogs onto the flight described a sobering emotional reality. “I get a momentary relief… but then there’s a feeling of absolute dread and terror for the ones we didn’t get… knowing we’re going to have to get back here the next day and get them before they’re euthanized,” the volunteer said.
For Tonner, the flight felt different from the routine monthly transports her group organizes. “We do this once a month with these animals, but this one was really special because of all those puppies that were slated for euthanasia,” she said. “It’s so exciting, it makes me smile,” she added, as the plane’s engines roared to life during her live interview.
Back in Los Angeles, dozens of volunteers continue working to find placements for the hundreds of animals still housed in the local shelter system. FOX 11 reports that the DACC is urging the public to step up. “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,” the agency said.
Residents interested in fostering or adopting can visit the LA County Department of Animal Care and Control’s website to view available pets at any of its seven locations. Those who want to support future transport missions can donate to Wings of Rescue to help fund additional relocation flights. The investigation into the Lake Hughes property and the alleged animal welfare violations remains ongoing.
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