Friends All United for Natchitoches Animals (FAUNA) recently helped 36 rescued animals travel to partner rescue organizations in New Hampshire, Connecticut and New York through the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Race for Life Rescue program. The group included 19 dogs and puppies and 17 cats and kittens, marking the largest number of animals FAUNA has ever had selected for the program.

According to FAUNA, the effort required extensive coordination among foster families, volunteers and rescue partners to prepare the animals for transportation.

Preparations included providing safe foster homes, food, veterinary care, medical baths, rehabilitation and socialization. Volunteers also photographed the animals, prepared biographies and organized medical records and documentation for each animal. Once the animals were ready for transport, volunteers arranged drivers and coordinated their departure from Natchitoches. On the day of the flight, volunteers departed for Baton Rouge at approximately 2 a.m. with the animals.

Upon arrival, volunteers assembled and labeled crates, unloaded the animals, provided additional cleaning and bathroom breaks when needed, and prepared them for boarding. The group also encountered fog that delayed the flight, requiring volunteers to wait before the animals could be loaded onto the aircraft.

After the animals departed for their destination rescue organizations, volunteers made the approximately three-hour return trip to Natchitoches.

FAUNA expressed appreciation for the foster families and volunteers who helped make the transport possible, along with Cathy Bissell and the BISSELL Pet Foundation. The organization also expressed hope that additional animals currently in its care will be selected for future rescue flights.