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Southwest Airlines Rescues Orphaned Pets From Hurricane Harvey, Flies Them to Safety

By Kelly Richman-Abdou on September 11, 2017

Southwest Airlines Shelter Animals Hurricane Harvey Helen Woodward Animal Shelter

During Hurricane Harvey, animal shelters and rescue organizations sprawled across Texas were saddened—but not surprised—to discover that many pets had become lost, displaced, or even abandoned during the disaster. With most shelters already at full capacity, it was unclear where these poor potential pets would end up. Fortunately, however, thanks to a compassionate collaboration between Southwest Airlines and Helen Woodward Animal Shelter, the future of these orphaned animals is a bit more clear.

Prior to the storm, non-profit organization Operation Pets Alive! had preemptively taken in numerous cats and dogs from shelters across Houston. This tremendously selfless act freed up lots of space in the shelters, which meant that these existing residents did not need to be euthanized in order to make room for the new, hurricane-stricken rescues.

On September 5, compassionate volunteers loaded 64 of these adorable and adoptable cats and dogs into the converted cabin of a California-bound Southwest Airlines plane. Their destination? Helen Woodward Animal Shelter in San Diego, where they would be safe from the storm, at no risk of being euthanized, and have the chance to finally find their forever homes.

What a purr-fect ending!

If you'd like to donate to the cause—or even adopt or foster one of these Hurricane Harvey rescues—stop by the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter website.