Puppies Across America Program

 In America there are too many puppies,
 not enough homes. While most states
 are burdened with an over-population of canines, in
 Massachusetts the problem is just the opposite: not enough
 dogs to satisfy demand.. So one woman put two and two
 together, and came up with a clever solution to both
 problems.

 Cindy Shapiro runs an animal shelter outside Boston, and she
 told us about her problem: "We'd have lots of families
 coming in here wanting to adopt puppies and there were
 none because the people of New England are doing a great
 job spaying and neutering." While Cindy had no puppies,
 other states had an overabundance of them in their shelters
 and every day they were being destroyed. So, an idea was
 born: "We had the people, they had the puppies and we
 thought, let's get together and give this a try."

 "This" turned into "Puppies Across America" -- a five year
 old non-profit rescue program that relocates puppies. To
 date, it has saved 3,000 puppies from almost certain death.

 EXTRA was there as Sandy Wyatt of Virginia's South Side
 SPCA prepared a group of puppies for their Airborne
 Adventure to Boston. It's a job she's happy to do: "I had an
 overabundance of puppies and no homes for them. So I
 contacted Cindy and we started in December of 1995 and
 I've shipped over 600 since then." She told us about her
 experiences: "It's like putting a child on a plane. But I know
 this is the only answer for them...these puppies will probably
 be adopted out this evening. They may even be adopted
 before I even get home. That would be wonderful."

 Back in Boston, Cindy anxiously awaited the precious cargo.
 Once on the ground, the cute balls of fur seem no worse for
 the wear: "These puppies are wagging their tails, being very
 friendly. Looking like they are anxious to get out of their
 crates."

 The pups were taken back to the shelter where they were
 cleaned and prepped for adoption. And that's when the real
 fun begins: Families come to look at the puppies!

 In the time it took to win a heart with a wet kiss or a soft
 cuddle, the flying puppies found homes. For Cindy, the joy on
 a child's face and the love in a puppy's eyes makes all her
 hard work worth it. "It's always exciting. It's always a treat."

 If you'd like to help the flying puppies project you can send a
 donation to or contact the

 Northeast Animal Shelter
 204 Highland Avenue
 Salem, MA 01970
 (978)745-9888
 re: Puppies Across America Program