These Shelter Pets Were Almost Euthanized In The Wake Of Hurricane Laura. Now They’re Flying To New Homes In California

Louisiana often finds itself in the crosshairs during hurricane season, but nothing could prepare for the ferocity of Hurricane Laura, which lashed the Gulf Coast with 150mph winds, massive storm surges, and flash flooding, becoming one of the strongest Category 4 storms this country has ever seen.

In the wake of the devastation, The Animal Rescue Site, GreaterGood, and Freekibble have partnered with Wings of Rescue and Mutt Nation to evacuate over 125 shelter pets affected by Hurricane Laura, which has left local shelters struggling to care for an influx of homeless animals. Because this often forces shelters to resort to euthanasia, our Flight to Freedom on September 14, 2020, will be carrying dogs and cats from Louisiana shelters caught in the hurricane’s deadly path.

Roslynn and Fearless are just two of the 125+ shelter pets traveling on our September 14 Flight to Freedom. Photo: Freekibble/GreaterGood

The rescued pets will then be flown to San Diego, California, where dogs and cats are generally adopted within days of their arrival. The timing couldn’t be better for Roslynn, a rescued dog who (like most animals on this freedom flight) was literally scheduled for euthanasia until shelter staff heard about our rescue mission and removed her from the kill list. The lucky passengers also include Fearless, a sweet Louisiana cat whose fur was covered in oil while he was being rescued from hurricane flooding.

Eeyore is a shelter dog with a medical condition that keeps him from lifting his head. Photo: Freekibble/GreaterGood

Some animals traveling with us on Sept. 14 are medical evacuees scheduled for life-changing operations at the San Diego Humane Society prior to adoption. These shelter pets include Eeyore, an adorable dog with a medical condition that prevents him from lifting his head. Another medical evacuee, Kelly, is a 12-year-old German Shepherd suffering from partial blindness, heartworm, and desperate need for cataract surgery. The San Diego Humane Society has agreed to provide both dogs (and roughly a dozen other pet passengers with pre-existing medical conditions) with the surgeries and treatments they’ll need to live their best dog or cat lives with new families.

Senior dog Kelly needs heartworm treatment and cataract surgery. Photo: Freekibble/GreaterGood

Of course, we couldn’t save Roslynn, Fearless, Eeyore, Kelly, and other hurricane victims without your help. Our Flights to Freedom are funded solely through your donations, and your generous contributions help us save hundreds of dogs and cats every month. Even the smallest donation can make a big difference, because just $5 helps us fund 125 air miles for a needy shelter animal. Mutt Nation is also matching donations up to $10,000 to help fly even more pets to freedom.

Please help us save rescued animals by purchasing air miles for a shelter pet flying on our Flight to Freedom on September 14.