LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Several Acadiana dogs have taken to the skies to gain a new lease on life.

This morning Pilots to the Rescue flew a few Acadiana dogs, which were likely to be put down, to New York to be adopted. According to its website, Pilots To The Rescue is a non-profit, volunteer-driven, public benefit aviation organization. Its mission is to prevent homeless pets from being euthanized and give them the best possible chance at a better life.

One pilot, Paul Mamauag, said they help transport at-risk animals from euthanization shelters to no-kill shelters up north to give them a second chance.

“We have our own plane, we have our volunteer pilots, and we just fly wherever those shelters and locations need us,” Mamauag said.

Dogs from Saint Landry Parish Animal Control, Atchafalaya River Rescue, the City of Eunice and Heroes Everywhere Animal Rescue were hand-selected to fly to non-kill shelters in the Hamptons where they will be adopted.

Joli Rodgers with St. Landry Parish Animal Control said Bissel Pet Foundation contributed to making the transfer happen.

"This is all possible by the Bissell Pet Foundation. They sponsored the plane," Rodgers said. "They sponsor vet visits, and they fund spay neuter clinics for a lot of the shelters around.” 

Mamauag has flown a dozen emergency transfers, but this was his first one from Acadiana.

“I told Michael, who is the founder of our organization, they might be missing one or two puppies when I take them home with me," Mamauag said.

Heroes Everywhere Animal Rescue is made up of volunteers who rescue dogs in Evangeline Parish because there is no parish-wide animal control shelter.

“It's great to see, especially when we go up back north, that we have either foster families or the people that are adopting — to see the love that they have for the animals," Mamauag said.

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