Kriser’s customers, Pack Members and extended family raised just over $20,000 to help Wings of Rescue airlift hundreds of at-risk dogs and cats from overcrowded Southern California shelters and send them to new loving homes across the country!

Back in May, hundreds of customers opted to “round up” their transactions to the nearest dollar in order to support the program. Donors received a “pet boarding pass” as a thank you and many were displayed in stores. One of our favorite “Kriser’s Approved” natural pet food companies The Honest Kitchen, generously donated a 2lb bag of food to each pet to help them start their new lives off on the right paw!

This weekend the program, dubbed “The Freedom Flights”, came to a culmination as Kriser’s employees and family members came out to the Van Nuys Airport and loaded the rescues up into 3 airplanes. The planes were headed for New Jersey and Washington, two states where many local shelters have slim pickings and are in need of adoptable pets.

Historically the weekend following Independence Day has some of the year’s highest pet euthanasia rates due to an additional burden on already overcrowded shelters.

Wings of Rescue is a not-for-profit organization, supported entirely from donations. As of this weekend they have transported 20,000 pets to safety in the last seven years. If you would like to support you can do so on their website or through our Crowdrise campaign.



Check out our full photo album on Facebook, ABC News coverage, as well as our Facebook Live videos directly from the tarmac!