LAFAYETTE -- As Florida residents boarded up their homes and stocked up on food and batteries in preparation for Hurricane Irma, another group of individuals from three animal rescue organizations was moving out shelter cats and dogs.

LAFAYETTE -- As Florida residents boarded up their homes and stocked up on food and batteries in preparation for Hurricane Irma, another group of individuals from three animal rescue organizations was moving out shelter cats and dogs to free up room for pets that might become separated from their owners during the storm.

The Humane Society of the U.S., the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center loaded a Wings of Rescue plane with about 76 dogs and 73 cats and headed for Morristown Municipal Airport, landing Saturday evening.

It felt like d�j� vu for the staff at Father John's Animal House in Lafayette as a team jumped in its red transport van and headed to the airport, similar to the night of Aug. 29 when the team anticipated the arrival of shelter animals at the airport from flood-ravaged southern Texas due to Hurricane Harvey.

The team took in eight Texas dogs, and on Saturday, five lucky dogs -- four females and one male ranging in age from just under 1 to about 5 -- found themselves headed to Father John's for another chance to find their forever home.

On Wednesday at the shelter, the dogs received passing grades during their first check-up by Tranquility Veterinary Clinic Veterinarian Dr. Michelle Hewitt, who provides her services free of charge to the shelter.

Hewitt said that every dog is in great shape, and since they have already been spayed or neutered, they should be ready for adoption soon.

The Floridian canine transfers include Cleo, a black and white female pitbull mix around 1 year old; Magnus, a black and tan male shepherd mix also around 1; Rayna, a tan and black female longer-haired Norwegian Elkhound just under age 5; Callie, a female greyhound mix with a black and white spotted coat around age 1; and Trixie, a black and white female pitbull and terrier mix around age 1.

Trixie, who is ball of energy, has already been spoken for by Father John's kennel staff member Sarah Oehler, who said the dog was a "perfect match" for her already-exuberant beagle mix dog at home.

Callie is also energetic and plays all by herself.

"She throws the ball up in the air and catches it herself," said Garret Barcheski, shelter manager at Father John's.

Rayna, whose suspected breed is the official dog of Norway, is more reserved, possibly an indicator of her age or of her personality.

After their check-ups and their afternoon walks around the campus of Father John's, located right off Route 15, the dogs headed back to their kennels for some rest.

Barcheski, who was one of a handful from Father John's who went to Morristown this past Saturday, said that the five dogs were chosen at random during the organized chaos at the airport.

"They were just so glad to see us," he said. "We are so lucky too, because they are just such a friendly bunch."

Barcheski said the dogs should be ready for adoption either Sunday or early next week, and as is the case for all their animals, any potential adopters are welcome to fill out a pre-adoption form on their website to allow the process to transition quicker and smoother.

To donate to the shelter for the cost of medicine and supplies for veterinary services or to consider adoption, visit www.fatherjohnsanimalhouse.org.

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Lori Comstock can also be reached on Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH, on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LoriComstockNJH or by phone: 973-383-1194.