Austin Pets Alive!, Best Friends Animal Society and Wings of Rescue Join Forces to Fly Pets from San Marcos, Texas to Safety

To provide direct relief to communities affected by the devastating Texas floods, Wings of Rescue, in partnership with Austin Pets Alive! and Best Friends Animal Society, is making an emergency flight of approximately 125 dogs and cats, transporting them to Ft. Worth where 50 will be taken in by local humane organizations with 75 flying on to Kanab, Utah to Best Friends Animal Society’s Sanctuary, the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary.  

Wednesday’s lifesaving airlift will move dogs and cats already in shelters out of the area to provide space for pets displaced by the floods, as well as help reduce overcrowded conditions in shelters directly impacted by the floods.  

In the rush to evacuate a disaster like this weekend’s flash floods, pets often become separated from their owners. It then becomes the work of first responders and shelter workers to find and house these lost pets until they can be reunited with their owners. Pets already in shelters or that have been surrendered by their owners due to the disaster also require evacuation and support to help them heal from their traumatic experiences. 

Best Friends Animal Society, a leading national animal welfare organization working to end the killing of cats and dogs in America’s shelters, has been closely working with Central Texas-based animal shelters, like Austin Pets Alive, to provide aid and help increase pet lifesaving. The organization also operates Best Friends Pet Lifesaving Center in Houston, Texas as well as several other locations across the United States.  

“We are heartbroken by the devastation and loss of life caused by the Kerr County floods,” said Julie Castle, CEO of Best Friends Animal Society. “We are immensely grateful to our partners, Austin Pets Alive and Wings of Rescue, for collaborating with us to help bring these pets to safety. When disaster strikes, we’re fortunate to be in a position to help and will continue doing everything we can to support those affected by the floods.” 
 
Since the catastrophic flooding began on July 4, Austin Pets Alive! has been the lead animal rescue organization with boots on the ground, helping Kerrville Pets Alive! and the affected community. This support has included conducting search and rescue missions, providing veterinary care and vaccinations, transporting pets to APA!’s Austin location, as well as distributing food, supplies, and other tactical support. So far, the Austin community has helped find foster homes for over 200 dogs and cats from the Kerrville sheltering system and other Central Texas shelters affected by the storms. 
 
“The floods have been so devastating for all living beings,” said Dr. Ellen Jefferson, President and CEO, Austin Pets Alive!. “So many people are searching for their pets that are the last connection they may have to a family member. Pets are so intertwined with this traumatic event, and we are grateful to our partners at Best Friends Animal Society and Wings of Rescue for providing this flight that will allow Texas to make room for more lost pets to be reunited." 
 
The Wings of Rescue twin-engine turboprop plane will be departing from San Marcos, Texas, headed for a brief stop in Ft. Worth and then on to Kanab, Utah. The plane will take off from Berry Aviation at approximately 5 a.m. CST. The stopover in Ft. Worth is planned for 7 a.m. CST and the plane will arrive at its final destination in Kanab, Utah at 10:45 a.m. MST.   

Wings of Rescue responds to disasters and overcrowded shelter conditions throughout North America. All Wings of Rescue planes are pressurized, temperature-controlled aircraft and all pets are medically cleared for travel and several safeguards are built in to avoid ever transporting a pet that is simply lost. 

For more information, please visit bestfriends.org, austinpetsalive.org and wingsofrescue.org. 
 
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About Austin Pets Alive! 
Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is a nonprofit animal shelter and rescue organization pioneering comprehensive, innovative programs designed to save the most at-risk homeless companion animals and educate others to do the same. A leader in No Kill sheltering in America’s largest No Kill city, APA! helps approximately 10,000 dogs and cats annually in Central Texas and beyond get a chance at the life they deserve. To learn more about APA!, visit austinpetsalive.org 

About Wings of Rescue 
Wings of Rescue is a donation-supported charity that air-transports abandoned, homeless and otherwise at-risk pets from overcrowded shelters, disaster areas and dangerous circumstances to the safety of rescue facilities and animal-welfare organizations where each pet is given proper care and a new home. Additionally, every year Wings of Rescue planes deliver thousands of pounds of humanitarian and veterinary aid to communities and pets in need, and the group serves as advocates for spay/neuter programs and other life-saving practices. Since its founding in 2012, Wings of Rescue pilots have safely and efficiently flown over 80,000 pets out of harm’s way and on to new lives. The nonprofit group operates hundreds of missions per year carrying thousands of dogs, cats, and other small companion animals to and from locations throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Advocating that all pets deserve a healthy and loving home, Wings of Rescue believes that responsible pet ownership enriches lives and builds stronger and more compassionate communities. For additional information or to donate, please visit www.wingsofrescue.org.