Project Flying Chihuahua has been working on flying Chihuahuas out of California to other states after the story came out about the large number of these dogs in California shelters.

A group of 25 dogs has already arrived at the Humane Society for Greater Nashua in New Hampshire, thanks to “Grey’s Anatomy” actress Katherine Heigl, Kinder4Rescue in Studio City and American Airlines. Heigl’s foundation has paid the discounted airfare for all 68 dogs so far and new donors for more flights were being sought.

A group of 43 will leave for New Hampshire Monday or Tuesday, said Kathy Davis, interim general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services. The Nashua shelter found homes for the first 25 and had a waiting list of 100 people, Davis said.

Virgin America will be flying a group of Chihuahuas to New York City from San Francisco on Tuesday, said Gail Buchwald, senior vice president overseeing the ASPCA adoption center in New York City. They will be processed and should be available for adoption on Dec. 29.

In the last 12 months, animal shelters in the city of Los Angeles have taken in 4,700 Chihuahuas, 1,000 more than the 12 months before that. Los Angeles has over 300 Chihuahuas in its shelters now and are taking in about 340 a month. Chihuahuas make up 30 percent or more of the California shelter dog populations.

Gail Buchwald, senior vice president overseeing the ASPCA adoption center in New York City, says there has long been a severe shortage of small dogs in the east. Officials on both sides of the country are optimistic they can work out the imbalance.

The Chihuahua crisis in California developed as Hollywood featured the dogs in movies like “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” and “Legally Blonde,” they became constant companions to the rich and famous, backyard breeders saw a chance to make hundreds of dollars a dog and the recession forced some dog owners to abandon their pets.