The Jason Debus Heigl Foundation founded by Katherine and her mom Nancy once again has come to the rescue of a group of dogs by funding the transportation of the animals from Los Angeles to New York to find new homes.

In the early morning hours of Monday, February 1st, 47 highly adoptable dogs arrived safely in New York as part of a first ever coast-to-coast dog transport operation.

The newly formed alliance between the Cesar and Ilusion Millan Foundation, the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, Last Chance for Animals, Animal Advocates Alliance and North Shore Animal League America joined forces to transfer small dogs from overcrowded shelters in Southern California where euthanasia was eminent to North Shore Animal League's facilities on the East Coast where small dogs are desirable and not available for adoption.

"Right now, the animal shelters in California are overflowing with dogs. The Millan foundation wanted to help, so we reached out. My friends at Last Chance for Animals organized an air rescue of 50 small dogs from the San Bernardino animal shelter to the North Shore Animal League in New York. We thank the Heigl Foundation for funding the flight. These dogs were going to be euthanized, but now they're on their way to find new homes. This the first of many rescue missions between the Millan Foundation and North Shore Animal League," said Cesar Millan.

The day long journey for the 47 canine travelers began 8:00 am Sunday at the San Bernardino International Airport (SBD) where the dogs were placed on board a private plane provided by Cloud Nine Rescue. The thirteen hour journey took the dogs through New Mexico and Missouri and ended safely at 3:30 am at Republic Airport (FRG) in New York.

The rescued dogs, which were transported to North Shore Animal League America in Port Washington, NY, include various breeds such as Chihuahuas, Brussels Griffon, Jack Russell Terriers, and a Papillion. After being safely nestled into North Shore's facilities, the dogs will receive complete medical and behavioral evaluations, be spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and groomed. Once this process is completed, the dogs will be adopted into carefully screened homes.