California’s San Bernardino County Animal Care flew 31 animals to rescues out of state to free room in the county’s shelter.
This is the county’s sixth flight launched in partnership with Wings of Rescue. The nonprofit flies “at-risk” animals to out-of-state shelters with room or adopters — giving them a second chance at life.
Record-Breaking Flight
Currently, it is the largest number of animals San Bernardino has sent on a single flight.
The county gave credit to the foster homes that took in the 31 animals, stating that they made the record-breaking flight possible. In total, throughout the partnership, the county has flown 71 shelter animals to new futures.
“This really is a culmination of the hard work of our staff, building relationships with rescues across the nation and with the Wings of Rescue Organization,” Janki Patel, acting director of San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, said in a press release.
The Animals Are First Fund also supported the mission, providing crates for the animals to be flown in.
Overcrowded San Bernardino Shelters
San Bernardino County has been struggling with overcrowded animal shelters for years.
In 2024, the problem was exacerbated when, in a matter of months, Apple Valley’s Victor Valley Animal Protection League shut down, and Route 66 Animal Shelter, Barstow’s then-only no-kill shelter, closed.
Most of the animals were transported to San Bernardino’s city shelter, which was already overcrowded and stretched thin. The crisis has not been resolved.
According to A Shelter Dog’s Tail, more than 500 dogs currently live at the city shelter. Over the last week, more than 50 dogs were reportedly placed on the euthanasia list.
Additionally, because the shelter is crowded, many animals have been forced to share kennels.
Most of them are still looking for families. Adoption information and pets are available on the San Bernardino County Animal Care’s Website.
But thanks to Wings of Rescue, the animals who couldn’t find homes in California have another chance.
About Wings of Rescue
“Our goal is to go out of business,” Wings of Rescue’s website reads.
For years, the nonprofit has partnered with overcrowded shelters nationwide to fly their animals to fosters, uncrowded shelters, or adopters in other states.
Volunteers and staff with the nonprofit also go to areas where natural disasters to save abandoned or injured animals.
The organization is not solely focused on emptying shelters,—they also run the Operation Pit Stop program, which neuters and spays low-income families’ pets at no cost.