About 75 dogs arrived in Thunder Bay last night from a remote First Nation.

They were part of a rescue mission by the Ontario SPCA, with support from the Thunder Bay District Humane Society.

The dogs were flying out this morning to be relocated to shelters in southern Ontario, where there is a high demand for rescue and adoptive pets.

Cargo North and more than 20 volunteers helped to get the animals from Whitefish First Nation to the city.

Veterinarians and volunteers helped to feed, exercise and care for the dogs during their overnight stay.

"This is a solution to a problem cities and First Nation communities across the north are experiencing, due to the lack of services available to spay and neuter their pets," said humane society executive director Melanie Blanchette.

In a press release issued Friday, the society said it plans to continue its partnership with the Ontario SPCA to develop a northern dog transfer program once their new spay and neuter service is operational.