Rescuer Says Flight To Save 27 Dogs Destined For Death Row Was Best Day Of her Life

ORLANDO, FL — Talk about precious cargo. Cassandra Bergeron took this viral TikTok video of the nonprofit group, Alabama Puppy Rescue Flights, transporting 27 dogs and puppies from Alabama to Orlando on a four-passenger plane.

The dogs were scheduled to be euthanized.

Following Hurricane Ida, which struck the Gulf Coast Aug. 31, shelters in Alabama and Louisiana have been inundated with homeless animals, many of which have been placed on doggie death row.

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Bergeron was determined that these dogs wouldn't meet that fate, so she contacted pilot Michael Young, founder of Alabama Puppy Rescue Flights and a University of Central Florida professor, and she and two friends volunteered to help.

On Sept. 29, Young and his three assistants crammed as many dogs as they could get onto the plane for the 45-minute flight from Enterprise, Alabama, to Orlando.

They were only prevented from taking more pups by the plane's weight limits.

"We went by weight. Every pound counts," said Bergeron, noting that they even left their bottles of water behind, so they could rescue more dogs.

While the puppies promptly fell asleep in the plane, the older dogs couldn't contain their excitement, climbing around the plane, trying to see where they were going. At one point, a German shepherd named Frank Sinatra attempted to take over one of the passenger seats occupied by a rescuer.

Bergeron said it was a good thing the plane was equipped with vents that eliminated some of the inevitable odor from 27 excited, panting dogs in a confined space.

"Cute and smelly," Bergeron described the flight. "My leggings were soaked with pee. They all farted when we landed. It was the best day of my life."

All 27 dogs have been adopted, including Frank Sinatra who is now training to become a police K-9.

The TikTok video of the flight has received 13.4 million views.

"Hands down, it was the best flight ever," said Bergeron.

Young said he's always looking for volunteers to assist with taking care of the pups flown regularly to Florida for adoption as part of an effort organized by Alabama Relay Rescue.

Since the beginning of June, Young has made 16 flights. In May, Young and fellow pilot Jim Moudy, transported 52 dogs on death row to Florida on two planes in one day.

"About a decade ago, I got an email about some dogs that needed to be rescued," Young said. "I did it and I saw the need to transport dogs from areas where they won't get adopted to areas where they will. That was 6,700 or more dogs ago."