ASPCA Gives 52 Dogs New "Leash" on Life in Collaboration With Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary, Great Plains SPCA

NEW YORK—In an effort to give dozens of dogs a new "leash" on life, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is funding the transport of 52 dogs from the Great Plains SPCA locations in Merriam, Kan. and Independence, Mo. to Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary in Middletown, N.Y. The transport offers the dogs relief from crowded conditions and gives the Great Plains SPCA the chance to take in more animals.

The dogs—mostly adults in a variety of sizes and breeds—will be placed up for adoption by the receiving Pets Alive shelters. The transport operation for the 52 dogs—which departs the Midwest Saturday morning—is scheduled to arrive in Orange County, N.Y. sometime on Sunday. To learn more about the dogs, or to inquire about adoption please visit www.petsalive.org.

"The ASPCA is working collaboratively with Great Plains SPCA and Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary to provide these dogs with a much-needed second chance at getting adopted," said Kristen Limbert, director of animal relocation for the ASPCA. "The members of the ASPCA’s Relocation Team love being a part of this process, which works to move at-risk animals to locations where they have the best chance of getting out of shelters and finding permanent, loving homes."

"We proudly welcome needy pets into our two shelters daily, yet our organization has experienced a dramatic influx of homeless animals. In only two months' time, we have taken in more than 1,200 pets at our Independence, Mo. campus, a new shelter in an underserved community. We believe that collaborating with other life-saving organizations is the most effective way to save more lives, and we are honored and grateful to have such a relationship with the ASPCA," said Great Plains SPCA President & CEO Courtney Thomas.

"Pets Alive is pleased to be working with the wonderful groups involved in this transport.  Everyone is concerned about the dogs' well-being, compassionate and eager to make a difference in their lives.  We are thrilled that we are on the receiving end and able to provide a second chance for all these four-legged lives.  We can't wait to meet them all and find loving families to take them home," said Kerry Clair, executive director of Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary.

"Our mission is to consistently provide a safe and affordable transport option for animals in need.  P.E.T.S. LLC is honored to be a part of the rescue efforts of these great shelters and the ASPCA," said Kyle Paterson, owner of P.E.T.S., LLC.

In addition to the funding provided by the ASPCA Animal Relocation Team for the transport of the animals, the operation is made possible thanks to the collaboration of the following groups:

• Great Plains SPCA of Merriam, Kan. and Independence, Mo. – for providing the medical care, examinations, up to date vaccinations and spay/neuter surgery for the majority of the dog prior to transport;
• P.E.T.S., LLC. of Cookeville, Tenn. – for safely and humanely transporting the dogs in their custom-made transport trailer; and
• Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary in Middletown, N.Y. – for accepting the 52 dogs into their facility in Middletown, providing spay/neuter surgery for the remainder of the dogs before adoption, and for finding them loving homes.