Dogs get second chance in Syracuse
In York County, South Carolina more than 900 adoptable pet are put to sleep every month and one pilot is trying to reduce that number, a few flights at a time. Our Allison Lazarz tells us about his organization that takes animals from high-kill shelters and transports them to rescue organizations, some of them located right in upstate New York.
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- They're not your typical airline passengers, but Saturday afternoon, 15 dogs made the flight from South Carolina to Syracuse for a second chance at life.
"You have individual shelters in the South that will put down 300 animals per week in one shelter. Even if I were to fly every day I wouldn't be able to meet the need," said Ted DuPuis, the founder of Cloud Nine Rescue Flights.
It's a tight fit, but each trip can accommodate about ten to 20 animals.
DuPuis flies animals from the South to the Northeast because he says northern states aren't as overpopulated with animals.
"States in the Northeast tend to have more responsible pet owners that will spay and neuter their animals and as a result the pet populations are under much better control. In the South, you don't have that," said DuPuis.
Volunteers help unload the animals. On this trip, most of the dogs are going to Helping Hounds Dog Rescue in Manlius.
"We will house them, we will feed them, we will care for them, we will provide veterinary services from them and we will actively seek homes for all of them," said Karen Kukla, the founder of Helping Hounds.
DuPuis said that Cloud Nine is entirely donor funded and the average flight costs about $2,000.
"Our work really, it would almost be cost-prohibitive for us to do some of this if we had to pay for the transport, and by providing that transport Ted really, truly gives these dogs a new leash on life," said Kukla.
It won't be long before DuPuis takes off yet again to save more animals. He makes these types of trips nearly every weekend.
For more information about Cloud Nine you can visit their Web site: CLOUD NINE RESCUE FLIGHTS.
And if you're interested in adopting any of the dogs featured in this story, you can contact Helping Hounds Dog Rescue at their website, or by calling (845) 657-3377.