"It marked the largest single shipment of stray dogs from Taiwan to the United states for adoption in recent memory," said Ni Ching-tai, an Animal Rescue Team Taiwan (ARTT) volunteer who is in charge of the team's cross-border stray-dog adoption affairs. All of the dogs were physically disabled strays that were rescued by ARTT volunteers from around the country, Ni said, adding that each of them had a miserable past and needed good care.

Upon arrival, the 15 dogs will first stay at shelters run by animal rights groups in Los Angeles and Seattle, according to Ni. After they get accustomed to the new living environment, animal rights groups will arrange for them to be adopted by pet-loving American families.

The ARTT mobilized more than 50 volunteers to help prepare for the delivery, and China Airlines offered a 50 percent discount on the freight fares.

Over the past three years, the ARTT and its American counterparts have jointly arranged for 600-plus stray dogs rescued from around Taiwan to find new homes on the U.S. West Coast, Ni said.