In a heartwarming effort to address the overcrowding situation at the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS), 27 kittens were flown to Portland, Oregon, in search of better lives and loving homes, leaving behind 1,000 kittens still waiting for a chance to find their own forever families, NBC San Diego reported.

SDHS's animal care staff brought the adorable group of 8 to 10-week-old kittens to Alaska Airline's cargo terminal at San Diego International Airport early in the morning. With the help of the ASPCA and a flight manager on-site, the kittens were loaded onto the plane for a journey towards new beginnings with the Oregon Humane Society, where they are expected to find families sooner due to the availability of space, according to Times of San Diego.

The kittens' departure is a much-needed relief for the overcrowded SDHS shelters, which have seen a staggering 53% increase in the daily average number of kittens in care compared to July 2022, with 1,084 kittens in July 2023 versus 708 in the same period last year. Presently, SDHS is at 143% capacity for cat space and 173% for dog space, and though the transport has helped to alleviate some pressure, 1,000 kittens remain in search of forever homes in San Diego, as noted by NBC San Diego.

Not only did this transport provide many kittens with an opportunity to find a family, but it also eased the burden on SDHS's medical team, as some of the kittens still require spay/neuter surgeries that will be performed in Portland. SDHS expressed their gratitude to the ASPCA and the Oregon Humane Society for their involvement and collaboration in this life-changing venture for 27 deserving kittens, as mentioned in a tweet from the San Diego Humane Society.