San Diegans pitch in to help furry victims of Hurricane Harvey - CBS News 8 - San Diego, CA News Station - KFMB Channel 8

San Diegans pitch in to help furry victims of Hurricane Harvey

EL CAJON (CNS) - Two planeloads of dogs and cats from the hurricane- battered Gulf Coast arrived in San Diego County Tuesday.

For the nonprofit Wings of Rescue, it was the second trip in about a week to Gillespie Field in El Cajon, bringing in pets to create room for dogs and cats orphaned during the storm.

More than 100 dogs and cats were brought to San Diego County last week from a shelter in Lafayette, Louisiana. The 85 canines and 20 felines were taken to several facilities across San Diego, including Labradors and Friends Rescue, the San Diego Humane Society and the Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

About the same number came in on today's flight. Both planeloads were of animals that were already in shelters when the storm struck and didn't have owners out looking for them.

"Here in San Diego, we have a dozen animal shelters and more than 200 registered rescue groups," John Van Zante of the Rancho Coastal Humane Society told News 8. "In other parts of the county, (the pets) have got one shot."

Another plane full of pets arrived via a special Southwest Airlines flight to Lindbergh Field.

A group from the Helen Woodward Animal Center of Rancho Santa Fe went to the Houston area last week following Hurricane Harvey, and brought back 80 dogs and cats. Those animals were taken to the center in Rancho Santa Fe, where they will be put up for adoption.

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