San Francisco’s hometown airline, Virgin America, is assisting the City of San Francisco Animal Care and Control (SF ACC) by flying Chihuahuas from San Francisco to New York so the dogs can be adopted into loving new homes.

The massive overpopulation of Chihuahuas in California is forcing animal shelters on the West Coast to look to shelters on the East Coast for help – where there is demand for the dogs. The SF ACC asked Virgin America to spare a seat to fly Chihuahuas who might not otherwise have found homes in California. Virgin America teammates volunteered to escort the little dogs on the flights to the East Coast and will track their journey with real-time in-flight updates via the airline’s WiFi service.

“We’re pleased to help San Francisco Animal Care and Control fly these little guys out to the East Coast so they can be placed in adoptive homes,” said Ross Bonanno, Vice President of Airports and Guest Services at Virgin America. “As the only airline headquartered here in San Francisco, we take a great interest in our community – and many of our teammates and guests are dog lovers, so of course, we just had to do this.”

Virgin America sends the dogs off in high-style with a red carpet departure from a San Francisco International Airport gate, complete with champagne cocktail “Chi-mosas” and cupcakes for flight guests and doggie treats and toys for the Chihuahuas.

“The San Francisco Animal Care and Control couldn’t be more pleased to partner with our hometown airline -on the Chihuahua airlift today,” said Rebecca Katz, Director of the City of San Francisco Animal Care and Control. “We have a severe overpopulation of Chihuahuas here in California. Virgin America’s offer to fly the these little guys out to the East Coast will help us place them into loving homes that they couldn’t have found here in California.”

The Chihuahuas will be escorted by an SF ACC staff veterinarian and Virgin America teammates during the flight to New York. The dogs will arrive at 4:00pm ET today at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport and will be received by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA®).

“We are glad to be given this opportunity to help meet demand for these dogs in New York and at the same time help find loving homes for San Francisco’s homeless animals,” said Gail Buchwald, Senior Vice President of the ASPCA Adoption Center. “These Chihuahuas will need a little time to settle in once they arrive, and we will make them ready to meet prospective adopters later next week after receiving full behavioral and medical assessments. The public can learn more about the Chihuahuas by visiting www.aspca.org or calling 212-876-7700 ext 3210.”

Source: Virgin America

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