In light of the devastating wildfires in Fort McMurray, Alberta, which have scorched an area larger than Dallas, two airlines have stepped up to support those who are evacuating. Canadian North and WestJet have made the compassionate decision to allow evacuees to fly with their pets at no extra charge.
As evacuation flights commenced this week, many residents had to leave their homes so quickly that they lacked proper arrangements for their furry friends. In response, both airlines welcomed a variety of pets—including cats, dogs, and even some bunnies and turtles—to accompany their owners on board. Passengers took to social media to share the most adorable snapshots of their travel companions. One tweet highlighted a flight with 130 human passengers, five cats, a remarkable nineteen dogs, and two turtles.
Canadian North even shared a delightful story about a cat named Whiskers who was seen mingling with the flight attendants after her owner went into labor during the evacuation. The team even created a special employee badge just for her! A spokesperson for Canadian North mentioned to a popular news outlet that while they typically don’t allow so many pets, “given the extraordinary situation, we made an exception to accommodate these animals.” Both airlines have arranged numerous additional flights to ensure every evacuee—two-legged or four—could find safety.
While this gesture is heartwarming, it’s essential to remember the harsh reality many of these families are facing. Over 80,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate Fort McMurray due to the wildfires, with more than 2,400 buildings, including homes, suffering damage or total destruction.
Recovery will take months, but the kindness shown by these airlines reflects a larger community spirit eager to help. Pets are family too, and it’s comforting to witness so many animals staying with their owners during this challenging time. If you’re interested in lending a hand to evacuees, consider checking out the Canadian Red Cross for ways to help.
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In summary, the compassionate actions of Canadian North and WestJet during the Fort McMurray wildfires have brought a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Their willingness to allow evacuees to travel with their pets has created heartwarming moments and showcased the importance of keeping families together, even in the toughest of times.