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Airlines Step Up for Fort McMurray Evacuees, Pets Welcome Aboard!
Amidst the chaos caused by devastating wildfires in Fort McMurray, Alberta—an area scorched to a size surpassing that of Dallas—two airlines are stepping up to bring a bit of comfort to those fleeing the flames. Canadian North and WestJet have both decided to allow evacuees to travel with their furry friends, waiving any extra fees in a heartwarming move.
As evacuation flights launched this week, many fleeing families were caught off guard, leaving them without proper arrangements for their pets. But fear not! These airlines have opened their doors to not just cats and dogs, but also a few lively bunnies, turtles, and even tree frogs. Passengers have been sharing delightful snapshots of their animal companions sitting next to them in the cabin. One tweet even boasted of a flight with 130 humans, five cats, an incredible nineteen dogs, and two turtles—talk about a full house!
In a particularly cute twist, Canadian North shared a tweet about a cat named Fluffy who was seen mingling with flight attendants after her owner went into labor during the evacuation. They even created a little employee badge for this adorable feline! A spokesperson from Canadian North mentioned to the Huffington Post that while normally they wouldn’t permit such a menagerie onboard, they were happy to bend the rules given the extraordinary circumstances. Both airlines ramped up their evacuation flights to ensure everyone—two legs or four—could find safety.
While this initiative is undeniably sweet, it’s impossible to overlook the tragedy many of these families and their pets are escaping. Over 80,000 residents have been forced to evacuate since the fires ignited, with reports indicating that more than 2,400 of the 25,000 buildings in the area have suffered damage or complete destruction. The road to recovery will be long, but the kindness shown by these airlines is a shining example of community support. After all, pets are family too, and seeing so many animals and their owners staying together through such a tough time brings a glimmer of hope.
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In summary, the actions of Canadian North and WestJet show how a little compassion can make a big difference during tough times. Their decision to allow pets on evacuation flights not only eases the anxiety of pet owners but also highlights the importance of keeping families—both human and animal—together in moments of crisis.