Rescued dogs from California coming to Vancouver

Local dog rescue group Thank Dog I Am Out is bringing 120 rescue dogs from California to Vancouver this Saturday to meet 150 pre-approved adopters.

"These dogs are phenomenal and unbelievably adoptable," founder Susan Patterson said. "It's all about the connection. We want people to come down and meet their dogs and take time to do it."

Organizers of the event are hoping each one of the dogs will find a forever home north of the 49th parallel.

Pre-approved adopters will meet the dogsin a 10,000 square foot airplane hangar at Vancouver International Airport that the group has converted into a doggie paradise.

• 'Used cat salesman' unloads 34 animals at Calgary Humane Society event
• Fancy rats: 3 reasons they make great pets
• Rescued pups from Mexico up for adoption in Sudbury

More events to come

Patterson says more than 6,000 dogs are euthanized each week in California. But here in the Lower Mainland, there's a

shortage of medium-sized dogs.

Shefounded Thank Dog I Am Out in 2009 when her own hunt for such adog took her down to Washington state, where many Californian dogs end up as well.

"They have a very poor educational program when it comes to spaying and neutering," Patterson said, although she did acknowledge there have been improvements over the years.

The event on Saturday is full, but according to the group's website, they plan to have another one "in the very near future."

To hear the full story, click the audio labelled:120 rescue dogs flying into Vancouver on Saturday