'Flooded With Love': Louisiana Flood Victims' Dogs to Get New 'Fur'ever Homes in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — A "Wings of Rescue" airplane carrying more than 65 dogs — and one cat — from recently flooded Louisiana arrived Friday at Gillespie Field in El Cajon.

The rescue, known as "Flooded With Love," was a joint effort of several San Diego-area nonprofit organizations, including Thrive Animal Rescue, Encinitas-based Rancho Coastal Humane Society, Labradors and Friends Rescue, SPOT Rescue and Animal Samaritans.

Prolonged rainfall last month dropped up to 20 inches of precipitation in some Louisiana parishes, resulting in more than a dozen deaths and damage to tens of thousands of homes in what authorities have called the worst natural disaster in the United States since Superstorm Sandy four years ago on the East Coast.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that some animal shelters were damaged by the high waters while others became overcrowded with lost pets.

Dogs have been shipped off to Atlanta, Kansas City and northeast Ohio, among other places.

"Some families were able to escape with their dogs -- others were lucky to get out with their lives," said CeCe Bloum, founder of San Diego-based Thrive Animal Rescue.

"Many have no homes to return to," Bloum said. "Unfortunately, some of them arrived at evacuation centers only to discover that their pets were not welcome."

After the animals were unloaded from the Friday plane in San Diego, they were transported to shelters and foster homes where they will spend the weekend.

Beginning Monday, the dogs will receive health and behavior examinations, have their vaccinations updated and be spayed or neutered before being placed up for adoption, according to John Van Zante, spokesman for Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

"They would still be in their homes if it hadn't been for the floods," said Jim Silveira, RCHS president. "We want to match them with their new families as soon as possible so they can begin their new lives in California."

Van Zante said Thrive Animal Rescue donors paid for the flight, while Rancho Coastal Humane Society is handling the animals' medical care.

Both organizations are accepting donations to help cover the cost of "Flooded With Love," he said.

— City News Service contributed to this report.

Images courtesy of Rancho Coastal Humane Societyand Thrive Animal Rescue