MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Several dogs from the Mobile SPCA are on the trip of their lives. They didn’t have a plane ticket, but they boarded a plane for a better life in the North. At least once a month, the Mobile SPCA partners with the National ASPCA to send dozens of dogs to states like Massachusetts where the stray population is virtually nil.

WKRG was there on a cold morning as 36 dogs were crated and loaded onto a cargo plane. A dozen mobile SPCA volunteers were helping with the quick process. It only took 10 minutes to get all the dogs out of the SPCA vans and onto the plane.

“I’m glad these dogs are finding homes,” said volunteer Janel Williams.

“They are a bit anxious, but they ride with their buddies. They will be fine,” executive director Janine Woods said. “It’s emotional to see them go because we’ve been caring for them for weeks and weeks. They arrive, and they’re shady with ringworms. They’re horrible, but by the time they leave, they’re fat and sassy. That’s good. We’re saving lives.

The Mobile SPCA partners with the National ASPCA for the Relocation Flight Program, which transports thousands of dogs a year to shelters in the north. Monique Ward, the ASPCA’s flight coordinator, said since the program began in 2014, they’ve flown more than 190,000 animals (147,000 dogs and 43,000 cats).

“We send them to destination shelters where they have the proper funding, community involvement, volunteers that southern shelters don’t have,” Ward said.

Within hours, the dogs from Alabama landed in Massachusetts and were sent to three destination shelters. Staff at Second Chance Animal Services in Brookfield, Mass., said they had no trouble finding the homes of these dogs.

“We are so grateful to be able to help Alabama’s overcrowded shelters and bring pets here for the families waiting for them,” said Linsay Doray of Second Chance Animal Services.

Within days, the dogs find a home. WKRG met with the Bajpai family from Natick, Massachusetts. They adore their Alabama dog, Lali.

“Our dog, Lali, is from SPCA Mobile. She is the nicest and smartest girl, and she completes our family,” said Nandini Bajpai.

It took a lot of dedicated people in the rescue community to bring these dogs across the country to their new homes, but without a doubt, the long journey was worth it.