From Hollywood to Forever Homes… More Than 50 Shelter Dogs Seek Their ‘Happily Ever After’ on the East Coast

From Hollywood to Forever Homes… More Than 50 Shelter Dogs Seek Their ‘Happily Ever After’ on the East Coast

On Monday, August 17, East Coast-based non-profit organization, Brandywine Valley SPCA, in partnership with the Riverside County Department of Animal Services and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), transported shelter dogs and puppies from the Southern California shelter to the BVSPCA’s headquarters in Pennsylvania, where they will have the opportunity to find new homes. BVSPCA operates 12 locations across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C and cares for more than 27,000 pets a year. 

Many of the transported shelter dogs have been waiting to find homes including Sully, a one-year-old stray terrier who was found with three pounds of severely matted fur weighing down his tiny body, and Lyric, a 10-month-old Husky who came in as a stray. Prior to the flight, a group of 12 puppies joined BVSPCA on the red carpet at the 2026 Astra TV Awards Saturday to shine a spotlight on the need for pet adoption, and charmed celebrities like William H. Macy, Jason Ritter, Colin Hanks and TLC's Baylen Dupree Dooley. All the dogs will be cared for by BVSPCA until they are available for adoption at BVSPCA campuses in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

“Animal welfare is a team effort, and we’re proud to support our shelter partner in Los Angeles while giving these dogs from across Southern California a fresh start,” said Adam Lamb, CEO of Brandywine Valley SPCA . “When shelters work together, we can save more lives.”

 

The transport was one of RCDAS’ largest shelter dog transports, giving more than 50 adoptable dogs a second chance while helping create critical kennel space for animals in need across Southern California. Currently, RCDAS has over 1,000 dogs in the shelter system and continues to operate in critical overcapacity for the number of dogs compared to kennel space. In August, dog capacity reached 250% across the department.

"We are beyond grateful to Brandywine Valley SPCA and the ASPCA for showing up for Riverside County’s animals in such an extraordinary way. Taking in this many dogs is an incredible commitment, and one that will change the course of many lives," said RCDAS Director Mary Martin. "At a time when our shelters are facing a severe overcrowding crisis, their partnership gives these dogs something we want for every animal who comes through our doors: another chance. Another chance to be seen, to be loved and to find a family of their own. Thank you to our partners for standing beside us and creating a brighter future for so many deserving dogs.”

The special flight was made possible through the ASPCA Animal Relocation program, which transports dogs and cats from under-resourced shelters to destination shelters across the country where there is more space and greater demand for adoption. These transports not only change the lives of the animals on board—they also create much-needed space for the hundreds of animals still waiting for help in overcrowded shelters.

“Animal relocation is a crucial component to reducing overcrowding and enabling shelters to enhance their capacity to provide animal welfare services in their communities, and flight transports allow this collaboration to happen with shelters farther and faster,” said Karen Walsh, vice president of animal relocation for the ASPCA. “The ASPCA is proud to partner with Brandywine Valley SPCA to facilitate the relocation of over 60 dogs from Los Angeles to the Philadelphia area, giving these animals a greater chance of finding a home.”