'Wheels Of Hope' Helping To Rescue At-Risk NYC Animals

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A team of animal lovers is hitting the road to save thousands of animals running out of time in New York City shelters.

While some of the dogs participating in a program called "Wheels of Hope" are sick, others are strays. They are some of the lucky ones who are leaving an Animal Care & Control shelter.

Some of the animals in the program, which is a non-profit that transports the animals most at risk to rescue centers, foster homes and even animal clinics, were in danger of being euthanized.

Wheels of Hopes' Debra Fierro told CBS 2's Cindy Hsu on Thursday that animal shelters "are very overcrowded." She said the program has gone a long way to help the animals.

"It's almost like a little sanctuary on wheels because I know they're safe," Fierro said.

Wheels of Hope is run by the Mayor's Alliance for New York City's Animals and the mission is to save lives.

"Animals would die, it's as simple as that because the groups are not able to come and get the number of animals that they are pulling out," said Jane Hoffman, of the Mayor's Alliance.

Wheels of Hope is funded by grants and donations, and last year transported 13,000 animals.

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