This week, over 100 dogs were airlifted from Los Angeles, with many now poised to find permanent homes in the Midwest. This initiative is part of a broader national rescue campaign spearheaded by TV personality and animal advocate, Giuliana Rancic.
Upon arrival, 42 dogs were transported to PAWS Chicago’s medical center on Tuesday afternoon, after touching down in Gary, Indiana. This is a critical move as Los Angeles shelters are currently inundated following a major seizure of animals from a Lake Hughes property, where allegations of animal cruelty have surfaced, leading to an influx of hundreds of animals needing immediate care.
Rancic, who is also known for her work as a restaurateur and former E! News anchor, was present to welcome the dogs at a private airport in Chicago. According to her team, this mission holds a special place in her heart, describing it as an “incredible mission” aimed at saving these animals.
She emphasized the urgent need for action, highlighting the grim possibility of euthanasia if these animals are not relocated promptly.
As previously reported, several dozen dogs have already been relocated from Los Angeles to alleviate the critical shortage of kennel space. The recent rescue operation involved over 300 animals from the Lake Hughes site, throwing already strained shelters into a state of emergency.
As The Post previously reported, dozens of dogs were already flown out of LA this week to free up desperately needed kennel space. Authorities recently seized more than 300 dogs and cats from a Lake Hughes property, forcing shelters — already stretched thin — into crisis mode.
Many of those animals are now being held as evidence in an ongoing investigation, meaning they can’t be adopted or relocated for months — clogging shelters and leaving other animals at risk.
“That space is taken up for months on end,” rescuers explained. “So now they will euthanize more animals because they just don’t have the room.”
Animals found at the home of Christine De Anda were found filthy, in need of medical care, and living in overcrowded conditions, animal control officials told The Post.
De Anda, of Rock ‘N Pawz Animal Rescue, has disputed the animals weren’t cared for properly and has vowed to fight for their return.
Nonprofit PAWS Chicago took in the latest group of 42 dogs — many of whom had already been living in LA shelters and were reportedly slated for euthanasia to make space for the newly seized animals.
Meanwhile, back in Los Angeles, officials are scrambling to prevent further euthanasia. LA County has reportedly waived adoption fees in an urgent bid to clear space, while shelters plead with the public to foster or adopt animals immediately.
