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

Link to photos and video of the transport

On Monday, August 17, East Coast-based non-profit organization, Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA), in partnership with the Riverside County Department of Animal Services (RCDAS) 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.”

ABOUT BRANDYWINE VALLEY SPCA

Founded in 1929, Brandywine Valley SPCA (BVSPCA) is one of the nation's leading animal welfare organizations, operating 12 locations across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Through sheltering, adoption, veterinary care, and animal protection services, BVSPCA cared for more than 27,000 animals in 2025, helping thousands of pets find safe, loving homes. BVSPCA is expanding its impact by partnering with Los Angeles-area and other shelters to transfer pets from overcrowded facilities, giving more animals a chance at adoption and freeing up critical shelter space. Visit bvspca.org and @brandywinespca to learn more.

ABOUT THE ASPCA ANIMAL RELOCATION PROGRAM

The ASPCA Animal Relocation program relocates more homeless animals than any other organization in the country by working with shelters in under-resourced areas of the nation, to transport their animals to other shelters where they have greater chances of being adopted into loving homes. The ASPCA’s relocation efforts not only reduce overcrowding at partner shelters but also help shelters save space and reserve resources for vulnerable animals in the community who cannot be transported.

In addition to helping animals find loving homes more quickly, lifesaving transports also enable the movement of at-risk animals from shelter populations that are threatened by disease, natural disaster, and other emergencies. Since the program launched in 2014, the ASPCA has been responsible for the safe transport of over 300,000 animals — including more than 225,000 dogs and more than 100,000 cats — on over 11,000 ground and air trips. The ASPCA Animal Relocation program operates in 40 states

nationwide with a network of 140 participating partner shelters. To learn more about the

ASPCA’s animal relocation initiatives, please visit aspca.org

ABOUT RCDAS

The Riverside County Department of Animal Services shelters more than 34,000 animals annually across four locations, making it one of the largest sheltering systems in the country. RCDAS provides adoption, foster, lost pet reunification, pet support services, and public safety programs, all aimed at keeping pets with families and increasing animal lifesaving.

Media Contact:

Sara Smith, BVSPCA

302-559-5986 (cell)

[email protected]