In the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s devastation, Southwest Airlines has taken commendable action by flying a plane full of shelter animals out of Houston. This heartwarming initiative has provided a glimmer of hope for many displaced pets, allowing them to find new homes.
The airline transported dozens of cats and dogs, all comfortably secured in crates with their own cabin seats, to San Diego. The Helen Woodward Animal Center in Santa Fe collaborated with Southwest to coordinate this vital rescue mission, opening its doors to welcome these vulnerable animals.
Linda Thompson, Southwest Airlines Chief Communications Officer, expressed the company’s solidarity with the affected communities: “The impact of Hurricane Harvey has been profound on numerous families along the Gulf. Our thoughts are with our customers, employees, and all those who have faced such tremendous loss,” she stated in a press release.
Thompson continued, “We are thrilled to team up with the Helen Woodward Animal Center to bring hope to Houston by relocating shelter animals to find their forever homes in San Diego. This also creates much-needed space for family pets whose owners are currently displaced.”
The Helen Woodward Animal Center partnered with Texas-based Operation Pets Alive, a no-kill shelter, to guarantee the safe transportation of the animals. In a video shared on their Facebook page, Michelle Agnew from Southwest highlighted the effort it takes to orchestrate such a large-scale pet rescue: “It truly requires teamwork. We coordinated closely with staff at both the Austin and San Diego airports, and the TSA provided special screening for us, ensuring a smooth process.”
Seeing airlines like Southwest step up for all living beings—both two-legged and four—is a refreshing reminder of kindness in times of crisis. Amid the destruction left by Harvey and with Hurricane Irma looming, these uplifting stories help restore our faith in humanity.
Shelters aim to provide temporary refuge for animals, and with any luck, these furry friends will soon be on their way to loving forever homes. For more insights into family planning and home insemination, consider checking out this great resource.
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In summary, Southwest Airlines’ initiative to rescue shelter animals from Houston is a testament to the compassion and teamwork that can shine through even the darkest times.