HILLSBORO, OR (KPTV) -
The passengers on the small plane landing at the Hillsboro airport Friday afternoon were restless at the end of their five-hour flight.
"They were quiet most of the time," said the pilot, Chris Cookson. "Last 15 minutes they were getting kind of anxious because I guess they figured out where they were."
If they knew what waited from them on the ground, their anxiety may have disappeared.
Cookson's plane, like several others that arrived at the airport Friday, was loaded with crates holding dozens of puppies and kittens rescued from overcrowded shelters in California.
Animals were flown to the northwest to find permanent families through the Wings of Rescue holiday airlift program.
Representatives from animal rescues and shelters from Portland and southwest Washington waited to take the animals to foster homes.
"Many of the shelters are, nine out of 10 animals that go in never make it out. They're euthanized," said Tracy Bryant, who picked up puppies for the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society in Washougal. "So when we have the opportunity to help, we like to help."
According to Wings of Rescue, the local rescues and shelters are committed to caring for the animals until a family is willing to adopt them.
If you're interested in adopting one of the rescue animals, contact one of the following organizations:
Wings of Rescue
West Columbia Gorge Humane Society
Panda Paws Rescue
Family Dogs New Life
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