Dogs up for adoption fly to Idaho to find forever homes

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Forty-nine dogs are up for adoption and on their way to find their forever home, but first they have to take a four-and-a-half hour trip on a plane to Idaho.

"We have lots of little dogs, especially Chihuahuas in Maricopa County," Gina Ewert said. "They don't in Idaho, which is where these dogs are going, so when they get to Idaho, there are some people already waiting for them. There's a core of volunteers ready to work for these dogs, especially those who may have some medical or behavioral needs."

Dog is My CoPilot is the non-profit that flies pets in communities that have a pet overpopulation issue and into a community where some of the pets can be adopted faster.

"Dogs know when they are in the shelter, that it's not a good place to be, and so when they are pulled out, they get very excited," Judy, of Dog is My CoPilot, said. "When they get in the plane and the plane takes off they start off kind of loud and then they quiet down."

The amount of dogs who leave Arizona depends on how much space the receiving shelter has.

Out of 22,000 dogs up for adoption in Arizona, these 49 dogs are the lucky ones, who will soon have a better chance at finding a forever home.

"I have a pic of 'Vic' yesterday in the shelter and the face is completely different," Judy said. "He looked scared, ears back, and now he's just being a lovebug."