Precious Cargo Take Flight To New Homes

MANASSAS, Va. (WUSA) -- Volunteers are working to get hundreds of dogs and cats out of Georgia before they're euthanized. Volunteers are bringing the animals to the Northeast and some have arrived in Northern Virginia. It's one of the largest missions called the Georgia Puppy Caravan.

200 vehicles with countless volunteers left New Jersey several weeks ago to help save animals in over crowded kill shelters.

The precious cargo arrived Saturday afternoon at Manassas Regional Airport after a 3 and a half hour flight.

The 19 dogs and four cats that were on board, would have been put down if it weren't for this life saving flight. Chris Haslam with Commonwealth Cat Rescue in Oakton was there waiting on the tarmac. He will be taking one of the dogs and seven of her pups. He will nurse them back to health and put them up for adoption next week.

Volunteer pilots such as Ted Dupuis operates the non-profit organization Cloud Nine Rescue Flights. He gave these animals the ticket to a second chance at life. He says, "It's a great feeling you can't beat it. They seem to figure out that something good is happening and these flights are good for them."

The volunteers say although over crowding happens nationwide they focus their efforts in the south. They say more awareness is needed about spay and neutering cats and dogs.