Update: November 15, 2017, 1:15 PM ET

They’ve arrived! Thanks to Cloud Nine Rescue Flights, more than 50 dogs and cats from the ASPCA emergency shelter in St. Croix arrived to their destinations safe and sound, including 10 dogs to the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City. 

After two long days of driving up from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the 10 dogs were warmly met by ASPCA team members who will help them settle in and rest up after their long journey. The next stop for these pups will be loving homes. 

November 13, 2017, 2:15 PM ET

Over the weekend, bright and early on Saturday and Sunday mornings, more than 50 homeless animals from the ASPCA emergency shelter in St. Croix were loaded onto two flights made possible by Cloud Nine Rescue Flights. The dogs and cats began the start of their journey to destination shelters in Florida and New York, where they will be available for adoption. ASPCA team member Joe H. said, “It’s been two early mornings, but worth it to see these animals head off the island!”

ASPCA team members, Angela C. and Carly O., met one of the arriving flights Sunday morning at a small airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. With their trailer parked right on the tarmac, they quickly built crates and loaded the dogs in one by one. 

Wagging tails thumping against the bottom of their kennels, they could barely contain their excitement after the five-hour flight. We quickly packed up the trailer, got them settled in and hit the road with our destination set for the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City. After hours of driving and several breaks for food, walks, and cuddles, Angela and Carly pulled over for the night in Jacksonville, Florida. 

Bright and early Monday morning, the dogs were walked and fed, and their kennels were cleaned before hitting the road again. Everyone was excited to get out and stretch their legs, jump around, and take in all the smells of a new environment. Onto the next leg of the transport!

November 10, 2017, 1:30 PM ET

The ASPCA and Cloud Nine Rescue Flights are joining forces to transport homeless animals displaced by Hurricane Maria to animal shelters in Florida and New York where they will be made available for adoption. A total of 56 homeless animals—47 dogs and 9 cats—will be transported and placed with four animal shelters, including Cat Depot, Humane Society of Broward County, Halifax Humane Society, and the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City.

The animals will be transported from an emergency shelter established by the ASPCA in September where more than 300 animals displaced by Hurricane Maria have received care to date. The cats and dogs will be transported out of St. Croix on November 11 and 12 by Cloud Nine Rescue Flights, arriving at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and continuing on to the Florida and New York-based shelters to find safe and loving homes.

“Relocating homeless animals out of communities impacted by natural disasters is a critical aspect of emergency response efforts because it allows first responders to focus on assisting owned pets and animals in need of immediate medical care,” said Jessica Rushin, Partnerships Senior Manager for ASPCA Field Investigations & Response. “The ASPCA is pleased to work with Cloud Nine Rescue Flights on this life-saving effort to transport animals displaced by Hurricane Maria from St. Croix to the dedicated shelters and rescue groups in the States where they will have a second chance to find safe and loving homes.” 

Stay tuned for more updates on this life-saving transport!