Southwest Airlines flew 64 dogs and cats last Tuesday from shelters in Texas to the Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) in San Diego. The relocation was essential as shelters in Texas looked to make room for all the animals displaced by Hurricane Harvey. The best part of this flight of course were all the pictures posted by Southwest and HWAC employees. Press release from Southwest below:
Southwest teamed up with Helen Woodward Animal Center (HWAC) in San Diego on their relief efforts to support Houston local organization, Operation Pets Alive! (OPA). Four medical personnel from HWAC flew to Texas early Thursday to help the organization and provide medical care for shelter animals. Tuesday, in coordination with HWAC, Southwest flew more than 60 animals that were in Houston shelters when Hurricane Harvey hit to San Diego, to relieve strain on the local facilities and allow OPA to make room for family pets whose humans are currently displaced from their homes.
“The devastation of Hurricane Harvey has impacted a number of our communities along the Gulf. Our hearts are with our Customers, Employees, family and friends who have experienced loss and devastation from the storm,” said Linda Rutherford, Southwest Airlines Chief Communications Officer. “We’re so happy to partner with the Helen Woodward Animal Center to extend hope to Houston by transporting shelter animals to a new home in San Diego, while making additional space for family pets whose humans are currently displaced. Our Employees care so deeply for our Customers and all those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, including our sweet little four-legged friends.”
“These are the silent victims,” said Mike Arms, President of Helen Woodward Animal Center. “There are shelters that have been devastated by Hurricane Harvey, without electricity, without supplies. Operation Pets Alive! has taken in an overwhelming number of orphan dogs and cats who had inhabited those shelters before the storm and were suddenly facing euthanasia simply because they had no place to go. We are honored to help save those lives and we are lucky to have incredible friends like Southwest to help make this all possible.”
These shelter animals were transported to San Diego where they will be under the care of Helen Woodward Animal Center and eventually available for adoption.
SeaWorld even assisted by providing air conditioned transport from the airport! You can follow along with pictures of the entire #HarveyPets relocation process via HWAC’s feed.
Needless to say, this was one furry rescue flight, with plenty of love to go around! pic.twitter.com/mtBuDBGDw1
— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) September 6, 2017
The people of @hwac stepped up to take in these pets that were relocated to different shelters, but they needed a ride to San Diego. pic.twitter.com/qpBjWanIN6
— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) September 6, 2017
Friday’s #HarveyRelief Wrap-up from our team on the ground in #Houston! (Thread) /1 pic.twitter.com/33J3q2V27Q
— Helen Woodward (@HWAC) September 2, 2017
#SanDiego, we invite you to welcome home the #HarveyPets, Tuesday, 9/5, at the Center, at 2:20pm! More details: https://t.co/P6We3BaTti pic.twitter.com/tE7FDfoizB
— Helen Woodward (@HWAC) September 5, 2017
#HarveyPetsFlight caravan left for the Austin airport around 6:45am local time & headed to Austin. The kittens are named after @JJWatt! 😻 pic.twitter.com/Z32J7N9hym
— Helen Woodward (@HWAC) September 5, 2017
Loading up the #HarveyPets and buckling them in! @SouthwestAir #HarveyPetsFlight pic.twitter.com/kMEX8wqxFt
— Helen Woodward (@HWAC) September 5, 2017
Final seatbelt checks ✅ #HarveyPetsFlight @southwestair pic.twitter.com/qds2RpMFI1
— Helen Woodward (@HWAC) September 5, 2017
We’re taking off! Last update until the #HarveyPetsFlight touches down in @SanDiegoAirport! @SouthwestAir pic.twitter.com/MrW2OMdgYn
— Helen Woodward (@HWAC) September 5, 2017
#HarveyPetsFlight is landed, unloaded and soon on its way to the Center! 💖🙌 pic.twitter.com/7dYUvsv8PD
— Helen Woodward (@HWAC) September 5, 2017
Best. Flight. Ever. @SouthwestAir #ForTheWin on behalf of 64 #Texas animals who will hopefully be adopted from the @HWAC. @10News at 6. pic.twitter.com/PBiyxv7Qqi
— Joe Little🎥🏀 (@10NewsJoeLittle) September 5, 2017
Oh. My. Goodness. @HWAC @CBS8 @SouthwestAir #Harveypetrescue pic.twitter.com/KNdVe3D6Bo
— Kelly Hessedal (@KellyNews8) September 5, 2017
Thank you to the @seaworld Rescue Team for giving our #HarveyPets safe & air conditioned transport to and from each airport today! pic.twitter.com/zrcrqUyAId
— Helen Woodward (@HWAC) September 5, 2017
All #HarveyPets have been checked in! We imagine everyone will sleep well tonight. WOW, what a day! pic.twitter.com/Wy9Bnwb9l4
— Helen Woodward (@HWAC) September 6, 2017
It definitely takes a village, and we couldn’t have done it without so many. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. 🐱🐶❤️ pic.twitter.com/JLm4MxYPHM
— Helen Woodward (@HWAC) September 6, 2017
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2 comments
Future historians may be baffled when they look back at us and see that we flew unwanted animals around in airplanes.
@Jimmy: They’re wanted…they just haven’t found their proper people yet.