By Derek Thompson | The Selma Times-Journal

A volunteer team from Selma and Dallas County helped transport 37 dogs and puppies to Florida this weekend, where they await adoption.

Wannabe Rescued, a team that works to place strays and surrenders in adoptive homes, is working with the American Humane Association’s Lois Pope Red Star team to transport the animals from Alabama.

The large-scale operation took place from May 26-30. Wannabe Rescued sent most of their animals to the local Palm Beach humanitarian group “A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue” on Saturday.

“We’ve saved over 300 dogs this year,” said Wannabe Rescued board member Debby Driskell. “We send them on to bigger rescues where those dogs can actually get adopted and not get put to sleep.”

Driskell said she took a job working nights just so she can rescue animals during the day.

“There are times when you feel like you just can’t do it anymore because it is so demanding,” Driskell said. “We get calls every single day. Some you can help, some you can’t. It’s just what we do. We try to get these dogs to better places.”

The entire project will be filmed for airing during this fall’s national television broadcast of the 2015 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards.

The American Humane Association will pay for the animals’ vaccinations and health certificates prior to their flights. Upon landing, they will be handed over to foster families and rescue groups throughout South Florida.

The dogs will travel in kennels with food, water bowls and blankets donated by the Petco Foundation.

To follow the progress of the transportation and to see pictures from the road and sky, visit American Humane Association’s Facebook page and follow them on Twitter at

@AmericanHumane.