affected — including hundreds of shelter animals forced from their homes. As floodwaters rose and conditions worsened, one airline captain stepped forward to help.
On Oct. 12, Southwest Airlines pilot Matthew Prebish flew a special rescue mission, transporting 145 displaced cats and dogs to safety.
A Mission Powered By Compassion
The lifesaving flight was organized by Greater Good Charities in partnership with Southwest Airlines and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue.
The animals had first been moved from shelters in Eastern Tennessee and Florida ahead of the storms. They were temporarily housed at Lucky Dog’s Rescue Campus in South Carolina before boarding the plane to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
When Prebish learned that his airline was donating an aircraft for the mission, he volunteered immediately. Around 60 volunteers worked together to load the animals and ensure the flight went smoothly.
“At Southwest Airlines, we lead with our hearts,” said Whitney Eichinger, the company’s senior vice president and chief communications officer. “We were honored to lend an aircraft for this rescue flight.”
A Special Passenger
Once the plane touched down in Milwaukee, eight Midwest shelters prepared to take in the animals, provide medical evaluations and find them permanent homes.
But before the crates were even unloaded, one tiny passenger caught Prebish’s eye.
Among the rescued animals was a 4-month-old kitten named Avery. Curious and fearless, she immediately stood out.
“I opened the crate a little to see if she’d come out,” Prebish said. “Her head popped right up. She just wanted to look around and take everything in.”
Avery’s bold personality won him over. Soon after landing, she became the very first adoption from the rescue flight.
Now Avery lives in Texas with Prebish and his three other pets: Smalls the cat, Tahoe the Labrador retriever and Wrigley the golden retriever. For a kitten eager to explore the world, having an airline captain as a dad seems like the perfect match.
Helping Displaced Pets Find Homes
The remaining cats and dogs were placed with shelters across Wisconsin and Illinois, where they are receiving medical care before adoption.
Those interested in welcoming one of these storm-surviving pets into their family can contact:
- Humane Animal Welfare Society
- Elmbrook Humane Society
- Washington County Humane Society
- Humane Society of Jefferson County
- Dane County Humane Society
- Eau Claire Community Humane Association
- Green County Humane Society
- One Tail at a Time
Thanks to teamwork, compassion and one dedicated pilot, 145 animals now have a second chance — and at least one tiny kitten found her forever home before the wheels even stopped turning.