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More than 80,000 Fort McMurray’s residents in Canada were forced to flee their homes because of the massive wildfires in recent days. Thankfully, West Jet and Canadian North airlines have been making the evacuation process easier by letting people fly with their pets in the cabin.
“It’s definitely unusual to carry pets in the cabin, but due to the unusual circumstances we were able to bend the rules to accommodate these animals during this crisis,” Canadian North’s Kelly Lewis told Bored Panda.
Normally, animals traveling by plane should be kept in the cargo hold. However, in the current circumstances the residents are not allowed to return home for crates so it’s wonderful that they can take their beloved animals with them.
(h/t: thedodo)
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More than 80,000 Canadians were forced to flee their homes in the recent days
Image credits: Cas Courcelles
Massive wildfires in Fort McMurray made it difficult to get their pets to safety, too
Image credits: Jen C
Thankfully, West Jet and Canadian North airlines decided to let pets fly in the cabin
Image credits: Canadian North
“Due to the unusual circumstances we were able to bend the rules to accommodate these animals,” Kelly Lewis told Bored Panda
Image credits: Jen C
Canadian North’s staff are even fostering the cat named Meow Meow after her pregnant owner went into labour
Image credits: Big Brothers Big Sis
Normally, animals traveling by plane should be kept in the cargo hold
Image credits: Canadian North
However, in these circumstances, airlines made an exception
Image credits: Jen C
So it’s wonderful that they can take their beloved animals with them
Image credits: Jen C
They can comfort each other on the way to safety
Image credits: Amanda Weger
Thank you, Kelly Lewis, for talking to Bored Panda about your wonderful decision!
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What do you think ?
Judith Adair 9 years ago
Thank you West Jet and Canadian North Airlines for opening your planes and your hearts for this act of humanity.
Amber Ridgdill 9 years ago
A number of airlines *do* allow pets in the cabin already. http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/airtravel/airpettravel.shtml But it's understandable that many do not due to allergies, fear of dogs, small children who can't keep their hands to themselves, barking, dogs dealing with strangers in a strange place, and many other issues. There are always ground travel and boats to avoid air travel with your pets, but many owners prefer the ease of air travel over the comfort of their pets.
Load More Replies...
Cath Kerry 9 years ago
Wonderful, well done for using common sense and realizing sometimes rules have to be broken for compassion's sake.
PaintingSparrow 9 years ago
I'm glad airlines allow pets after the fire, because if I had lost my dog In a fire because of the no let policy for planes I wouldn't recov
Lori Duchrow 9 years ago
Awesome! Look at how well behaved they all are! That's amazing. No one barking or carrying on when all those other dogs are on board? amazing!
Amber Ridgdill 9 years ago
You can tell that just from still images? :D What an awesome talent.
Load More Replies...
Amy Mosshart 9 years ago
So glad to see they bent the rules. I think airlines should do this all the time, not just in emergencies!
Heidi Fancher 9 years ago
This is the best story ever! Being a pet owner/lover myself, I can't imagine leaving my pet behind. Though, I do understand there may be circumstances that can prevent this possibility. So many hero's out there helping find peoples furry loved ones with such amazing success.
Ann Merritt 9 years ago
So glad these airlines were compassionate, these poor people were maybe losing their homes, so having their pets with them had to be comforting. Kudos to the airlines.
Aida Flores 9 years ago
West Jet and Canadian North Airlines, and the pilot Keith Mann , you are my heroes! such a beatiful act !!
Redscrambled 9 years ago
Congratulations to both airlines!!! What a wonderful thing to do. Compassion on so many levels. !!!
L Rath 9 years ago
Not all pets got out. Some people could not get back to their houses and were forced to evacuate under order. Any who were not at home and could not get back to their homes, either because of fire or because of gridlock were forced to leave their pets. They did not make the decision to leave them, they were forced to leave them. There were over 90,000 people affected. Many pets did perish.
Glynis Lailann 9 years ago
I was wondering about the animals that were possibly left behind as they could not be accommodated. Thank you for putting my mind at ease.
Brent E. Barnes 9 years ago
I am making $89/hour working from home. I never thought that it was legitimate but my best friend is earning $10 thousand a month by working online, that was really surprising for me, she recommended me to try it. You will lose nothing, just try it out on the following website. _+_++_+_+_+_+_+_+_ www.social36.com
Wendy Tsao 9 years ago
It was a 50-minute flight out of a raging inferno. I have allergies, but I wouldn't have cared if I had to sit in the middle of cats and dogs. I am so impressed by the generosity and the care shown by airlines, first responders and many Canadians as they do what they can to help the Fort McMurray people.
Load More Replies...
Judith Adair 9 years ago
Thank you West Jet and Canadian North Airlines for opening your planes and your hearts for this act of humanity.
Amber Ridgdill 9 years ago
A number of airlines *do* allow pets in the cabin already. http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/airtravel/airpettravel.shtml But it's understandable that many do not due to allergies, fear of dogs, small children who can't keep their hands to themselves, barking, dogs dealing with strangers in a strange place, and many other issues. There are always ground travel and boats to avoid air travel with your pets, but many owners prefer the ease of air travel over the comfort of their pets.
Load More Replies... Cath Kerry 9 years ago
Wonderful, well done for using common sense and realizing sometimes rules have to be broken for compassion's sake.
PaintingSparrow 9 years ago
I'm glad airlines allow pets after the fire, because if I had lost my dog In a fire because of the no let policy for planes I wouldn't recov
Lori Duchrow 9 years ago
Awesome! Look at how well behaved they all are! That's amazing. No one barking or carrying on when all those other dogs are on board? amazing!
Amber Ridgdill 9 years ago
You can tell that just from still images? :D What an awesome talent.
Load More Replies... Amy Mosshart 9 years ago
So glad to see they bent the rules. I think airlines should do this all the time, not just in emergencies!
Heidi Fancher 9 years ago
This is the best story ever! Being a pet owner/lover myself, I can't imagine leaving my pet behind. Though, I do understand there may be circumstances that can prevent this possibility. So many hero's out there helping find peoples furry loved ones with such amazing success.
Ann Merritt 9 years ago
So glad these airlines were compassionate, these poor people were maybe losing their homes, so having their pets with them had to be comforting. Kudos to the airlines.
Aida Flores 9 years ago
West Jet and Canadian North Airlines, and the pilot Keith Mann , you are my heroes! such a beatiful act !!
Redscrambled 9 years ago
Congratulations to both airlines!!! What a wonderful thing to do. Compassion on so many levels. !!!
L Rath 9 years ago
Not all pets got out. Some people could not get back to their houses and were forced to evacuate under order. Any who were not at home and could not get back to their homes, either because of fire or because of gridlock were forced to leave their pets. They did not make the decision to leave them, they were forced to leave them. There were over 90,000 people affected. Many pets did perish.
Glynis Lailann 9 years ago
I was wondering about the animals that were possibly left behind as they could not be accommodated. Thank you for putting my mind at ease.
Brent E. Barnes 9 years ago
I am making $89/hour working from home. I never thought that it was legitimate but my best friend is earning $10 thousand a month by working online, that was really surprising for me, she recommended me to try it. You will lose nothing, just try it out on the following website. _+_++_+_+_+_+_+_+_ www.social36.com
Wendy Tsao 9 years ago
It was a 50-minute flight out of a raging inferno. I have allergies, but I wouldn't have cared if I had to sit in the middle of cats and dogs. I am so impressed by the generosity and the care shown by airlines, first responders and many Canadians as they do what they can to help the Fort McMurray people.
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