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This Guy Dresses Up As Batman To Save Shelter Animals From Euthanasia And Find Them Loving Families
Step away fake Hollywood superheroes whose superpowers are CGI – we have a real hero in town! They say that not all heroes wear capes, but this one happens to be wearing a cool one. What’s the coolest thing of all is that this superhero is fighting for those who don’t have a voice – animals left in the shelters. 27-year-old Chris Van Dorn has always been a fan of Batman but when he began volunteering for animal rescue organizations around Orlando, Florida, he decided to use this persona to bring attention to the importance of pet adoption.
More info: Instagram | Batman4Paws
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Meet the real-life Batman who’s rescuing shelter animals
Image credits: batman4paws
Initially, Chris used the Batman costume in order to keep his superhero missions anonymous (such a classic superhero move!). However, the good deeds of the 27-year-old brought his identity into the limelight after GoFundMe announced him as their ‘Hero’ in May.
A 27-year-old animal lover, Chris Van Dorn, is hiding behind the hero mask
Image credits: batman4paws
Chris launched a nonprofit organization, Batman4Paws, back in 2018. Since then, he has embarked on numerous journeys all across the country in order to rescue animals from euthanasia and find them a forever home.
His Batmobile used for these rescue missions is a humble Honda Accord
Image credits: batman4paws
The real-life Batman drives a humble Honda Accord but is hoping to meet a benevolent person who could donate a bigger van to be able to take more animals on his rescue missions. Chris also hopes that his pilot’s license will one day aid him to use air travel as a more efficient means of transport for our furry friends.
But one day, Chris is hoping to upgrade his transport so that animal rescue missions could be more efficient
Image credits: batman4paws
“As a child, I looked up to the values that superheroes such as Batman reflected and thought that would be the perfect vessel to embody the spirit of goodwill. Thus, the crazy idea of Batman4Paws was born. I would help rescue animals in need anyway I can, all while dressed as the Dark Knight himself and becoming a symbol for helping those in need,” Chris writes on his GoFundMe page.
“I would help rescue animals in need any way I can”
Image credits: batman4paws
“To make my dream a reality, I established Batman4Paws as a non-profit organization to rescue and transport dogs, cats, and other animals in need to forever homes, no-kill facilities, and foster homes throughout the state of Florida and beyond. Transports are done personally by me (Batman!) using any means necessary, although I prefer to fly.”
Batman usually operates within a 500-mile radius of his home in Orlando, Florida
Image credits: batman4paws
Batman gets his requests via modern means of communication – email, phone or social media platforms. Since Batman is working on the weekends, the usual transport days for him are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. “Once a transport day is set and the furry friend has all their paperwork, he picks up the animal in need and brings it to safety,” his official Batman4Paws site writes.
However, the superhero is willing to travel further to help those in need
Image credits: batman4paws
“He likes to stay within 500 miles of his home base in Orlando, Florida but has been known to extend his ring of service if the need arises and he is available to make it happen. He’s gone all the way to Vermont and back before! He hopes to expand his reach as his rescue grows,” says his official Batman4Paws page.
Chris is helping raise awareness about shelter animals and encourages people to adopt rather than buy
Image credits: batman4paws
Chris says that he understands that dressing up in a costume isn’t necessary to save a furry friend’s life, however, it helps him to open up a dialogue about the importance of adoption and fostering.
But the 27-year-old remains humble about his good deeds
Image credits: batman4paws
“I would say I’m just the middleman,” Chris recently told the media. “The real heroes are the people giving these dogs a good, loving home.”
“It’s not who I am underneath but what I do that defines me”
Image credits: batman4paws
In case you’d like to support this real-life Batman’s cause, you can do it on his GoFundMe page. Over $30,000 has been raised over 10 months, however, Chris is hoping to reach $35,000.
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What do you think ?
glowworm2 6 years ago
Batman proudly holding up a tiny kitten made my day today. Not all heroes wear capes, but in this case, Chris clearly does and I love it!
Janine B. 6 years ago (edited)
God bless him. A true life saviour. I will never understand why people buy a pet knowing there are so many other furry souls in need. And how it can be legal to kill healthy animals just because no one wants them. First losing your family and home then losing your life. So wrong and cruel in so many ways. PS: https://www.gofundme.com/batman4paws :)))
Lisa Wood 6 years ago
I have done all breed and mixed breed rescue for 27 years, specializing in a certain breed. I haven't just done rescue, I've fostered dogs and a few cats, and ran the breed rescues for my part of the country, North East and South East. It involved every single process from intake to dog finding a home. People purchase full bred dogs or designer mixed breed dogs because there's a certain activity they want, so it's a way better chance that ability is more likely to express itself in a dog bred for that activity or work, vs the happenstance breeding of two mixed breeds. We know there are very many rescues who can perform as good as or better than the pure bred, but you will go thru many more potential dogs from unknown heritage, trying to establish will these mixed breeds do the desired skill. Basically, it's called genetics. I'm sure you know the answer to the other question you ask. Dogs are still considered "property", not much different than your dining room ser.
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Simone-Catherine O’Riordan 6 years ago
I volunteer in rescuing animals in Ireland and this post is after giving me so many ideas. Thank you Chris <3 you single ?? ;) :D lol
Trish Greene 6 years ago
I think Chris should enlist the help of other volunteers across the country that can dress as different superheroes. That would be amazing. Thanks for doing such good work sir!!!
Rich McCormick 6 years ago
This brought tears to my eyes. Such a good Batman.... thank you for all you do!
Octavia Hansen 6 years ago
GEEZ! How come in all my dating years I NEVER met a man doing work like this? I would have joined in and done everything possible. But I will donate to and support this work. Shame I didn't know enough to start doing this myself years ago . . .
m. b 6 years ago
Batmancan you help out my boys? They love animals but I cannot afford the dogfee in germany. We would love to have a dog, but with twice small kids and a depressd husband I fear it's oio much.,but sometimes I believe a great dowill get my husband back on track. Then again it's all hopes and wishes..
glowworm2 6 years ago
Batman proudly holding up a tiny kitten made my day today. Not all heroes wear capes, but in this case, Chris clearly does and I love it!
Janine B. 6 years ago (edited)
God bless him. A true life saviour. I will never understand why people buy a pet knowing there are so many other furry souls in need. And how it can be legal to kill healthy animals just because no one wants them. First losing your family and home then losing your life. So wrong and cruel in so many ways. PS: https://www.gofundme.com/batman4paws :)))
Lisa Wood 6 years ago
I have done all breed and mixed breed rescue for 27 years, specializing in a certain breed. I haven't just done rescue, I've fostered dogs and a few cats, and ran the breed rescues for my part of the country, North East and South East. It involved every single process from intake to dog finding a home. People purchase full bred dogs or designer mixed breed dogs because there's a certain activity they want, so it's a way better chance that ability is more likely to express itself in a dog bred for that activity or work, vs the happenstance breeding of two mixed breeds. We know there are very many rescues who can perform as good as or better than the pure bred, but you will go thru many more potential dogs from unknown heritage, trying to establish will these mixed breeds do the desired skill. Basically, it's called genetics. I'm sure you know the answer to the other question you ask. Dogs are still considered "property", not much different than your dining room ser.
Load More Replies... Simone-Catherine O’Riordan 6 years ago
I volunteer in rescuing animals in Ireland and this post is after giving me so many ideas. Thank you Chris <3 you single ?? ;) :D lol
Trish Greene 6 years ago
I think Chris should enlist the help of other volunteers across the country that can dress as different superheroes. That would be amazing. Thanks for doing such good work sir!!!
Rich McCormick 6 years ago
This brought tears to my eyes. Such a good Batman.... thank you for all you do!
Octavia Hansen 6 years ago
GEEZ! How come in all my dating years I NEVER met a man doing work like this? I would have joined in and done everything possible. But I will donate to and support this work. Shame I didn't know enough to start doing this myself years ago . . .
m. b 6 years ago
Batmancan you help out my boys? They love animals but I cannot afford the dogfee in germany. We would love to have a dog, but with twice small kids and a depressd husband I fear it's oio much.,but sometimes I believe a great dowill get my husband back on track. Then again it's all hopes and wishes..
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