SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Three animal shelters in Massachusetts mark a milestone with 50,000 pets taken in from out of state. The relocation program helps partner shelters across the country reduce overcrowding and better assist animals in need. Second Chance Animal Services, Animal Rescue League of Boston, and MSPCA-Angell Northeast Animal Shelter have been a part of this program since 2015. On November 2nd, 46 dogs were flown from an animal shelter in Starkville, Mississippi to one of the three partner shelters in Massachusetts. The dogs, most of which are mixed breed and include puppies and adults, will be available for adoption soon. Nearly two dozen dogs surrendered by Massachusetts owner find forever homes “Reaching a milestone of 50,000 shelter animals transported by flight through the ASPCA’s lifesaving animal relocation program represents the dedication of our incredible shelter partners who collaborate to give homeless animals in need second chances at finding loving homes,” said Karen Walsh, senior director of animal relocation for ASPCA Shelter Services. “Animal relocation – particularly by air – is an efficient and effective way to move large numbers of vulnerable homeless animals to shelters with the capacity to provide the care and support they need to survive, thrive and ultimately find new homes.”  "Second Chance Animal Services is proud to be part of this milestone transport with the ASPCA, bringing these dogs one step closer to the loving homes they deserve," said Sheryl Blancato, CEO and founder of Second Chance Animal Services."Collaborations like this allow us to save more lives. We’re excited to welcome these dogs to Massachusetts, where they’ll receive the care and support they need to start a new chapter."  “The Animal Rescue League of Boston is a proud partner of the ASPCA and is honored to be a part of this amazing milestone,” stated ARL President and CEO Dr. Edward Schettino. “The Animal Relocation Program creates vital relationships between organizations across the country so that we can work together to save lives, and ARL is thrilled to have the capacity and ability to help these animals start their next chapters.”  “This transport partnership with the ASPCA has allowed us to welcome hundreds of animals from overwhelmed shelters across the country to Massachusetts, where they were able to find loving homes,” said Mike Keiley, vice president of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division. “The animal welfare community is dealing with a crisis—too many dogs and not enough adopters—that can only be addressed by relationships like this in which organizations band together to get homeless animals the positive outcomes they deserve. We’re honored to be part of such a momentous milestone, and look forward to working together with the ASPCA to rehome hundreds more animals in the years to come!”  Local News Headlines Massachusetts animal shelters mark milestone with 50,000 pets taken in from out of state CitySpace awarded funds for Easthampton’s former Town Hall restoration Tropical Storm Rafael expected to become hurricane Enfield Police looking for woman reported missing since September WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.