The SPCA of Tompkins County, in partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, has taken in 20 Chihuahua mixes and other small mixed breed dogs, who originated at municipal shelters in Los Angeles California and were scheduled for euthanasia.

The SPCA received a call from Best Friends Animal Society, based in Utah, to ask if the SPCA would consider taking a transport of dogs who were going to be euthanized.  After nearly two months of logistics and planning, and an overnight drive to and from JFK, the SPCA was able to save 20 small (highly adoptable) dogs from Los Angeles. Los Angeles is still a traditional shelter city where dogs are regularly put down for no other reason than space.

Jim Bouderau, executive director, states: “It is easy to forget about the many communities that still have traditional shelters where about 70% of the animals who enter their doors don’t make it out.  The stories we have heard, pictures we have seen, and the scope of the problem is unsettling. We could not be more thrilled to help these animals have a second chance at a new life.”

The SPCA of Tompkins County is focused almost entirely on saving lives within Tompkins County. The desire to help is strong, but the SPCA simply does not have funds for endeavors like this.  Bouderau went on to say: “Best Friends, through their generosity and mission, and partnership with American Airlines, is picking up ALL costs associated with this transfer. The dogs are also coming to us fully vaccinated as well as spayed/neutered so that the internal costs to the shelter are minimal.”

Bouderau, associate executive director Pam Stonebraker, an SPCA volunteer, and adoption co-manager Sarah Post, left Ithaca last Thursday afternoon in two vehicles and returned at 7:00 AM Friday morning with the 20 tired, hungry and anxious dogs. Other staff and volunteers were on hand to help get the small dogs fed, watered and settled into their new temporary surroundings. The dogs will all have a few days to acclimate and be medically and behaviorally evaluated.

The SPCA will have an adoption event August 17-19 in the hopes of getting these little fellows as well as Tompkins County dogs into new homes as quickly as possible. The mission of the SPCA of Tompkins County is to protect companion animals.  We are a no-kill shelter dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and overpopulation.  We promote responsible pet stewardship by providing education, counseling and training to nurture and enhance the human-animal bond.

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