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Dogs and cats displaced by Sandy arrive in San Diego

SAN DIEGO — Sixty dogs and cats that were displaced by Superstorm Sandy have arrived in San Diego following a cross-country flight.

The plane carrying the animals landed at Lindberg Field Saturday, and they were taken to a shelter in Rancho Santa Fe.

A spokeswoman for the Helen Woodward Animal Center said the dogs and cats were facing euthanization at New York and New Jersey animal shelters that lost power after the storm struck last month.

Jessica Gercke said her organization approached Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld to help rescue the animals. She said a pilot and crew donated their time, BP footed the gas bill, and animal handlers from Seaworld accompanied the animals on the flight.

Gerke said the center will get the animals vaccinated, spayed and neutered before offering them for adoption.