Threshold Aviation invaded by dogs

In the aviation industry, Threshold Aviation Group at Chino Airport is what is known as a fixed base operator, meaning it services and maintains aircraft, mostly private jets.

The company spends much of its time fueling planes, managing cargo and building or modifying a plane’s interior.

Dealing with an onslaught of dogs is another matter.

But on July 1, Threshold welcomed about 150 puppies of all breeds, sizes and ages – and two cats – courtesy of Berry Aviation, a charter airline in San Marcos, Texas. All of the animals were from a shelter in El Paso that had more animals than it could handle, said Misty Girgle, an administrative accountant with Threshold.

Bissell Pet Foundation, a division of Bissell Homecare, paid for the flight. They wanted to land in Chino because the Chino Hills office of Priceless Pets, a non-profit rescuer operations had agreed to get all of the animals into local non-kills shelters.

All animals were inspected by veterinarians shortly after their arrival.

“This had to be their first time on an airplane, but they were for the most part really well behaved,” Girgle said. “I think some of them were probably scared, because they wouldn’t have any idea what an airplane is. But it was fun having them.”

Bissell Pets paid for two other rescue flights related to the El Paso shelter, one to Wisconsin and one to New Jersey, said Tori Allen, spokesman for the foundation.