The sun was just beginning to break through the morning haze as the plane lifted off the runway—inside, 51 animals were on their way to new, promising futures. As part of a multi-state initiative beginning in Tennessee, stopping in Iowa for 48 cats before landing in Washington and Oregon where local shelters stood ready to greet them, opening the door to a second chance at safety and home.
Flights like these are more than transport. They’re critical support in disaster-prone areas to ease pressure on shelters both before and after a crisis. In Tennessee, shelters are still recovering from disasters like Hurricanes Milton and Helene, while in Iowa, the June 2024 levee break unleashed catastrophic flooding, forcing families to evacuate and straining shelters beyond capacity. By creating essential space, these flights help shelters prepare for the next wave of animals displaced by disaster—while giving each animal the chance at safety, care, and ultimately, a loving home.
Transport is just one part of a holistic response to community preparedness and response. While flights provide vital relief for shelters and communities, disaster preparedness and response require a broader, more holistic approach. That’s why we operate as one team with our programs working together, filling gaps and strengthening the systems that communities rely on.
In June 2024, a levee broke overnight in Iowa, unleashing catastrophic flooding. Families were displaced from their homes, and local shelters—already stretched thin by cat overpopulation—were suddenly overwhelmed by an influx of displaced pets. The crisis revealed a deeper challenge: access to care.
Many parts of Iowa are considered veterinary deserts, areas where geography, isolation, and cost make it nearly impossible for families and shelters to access the veterinary services they need. Without affordable spay/neuter and basic care, animal populations grow quickly, straining already limited resources and leaving shelters vulnerable when disaster strikes.
To help shelters prepare for future disasters, our Veterinary Services team, led by Dr. Ruth Parkin, joined forces with Field Operations in Iowa to host a spay/neuter clinic that delivered 271 sterilization surgeries, along with vaccinations and wellness checks.
By reducing pet overpopulation and improving overall animal health, we help ensure shelters are better equipped when the next disaster strikes. Fewer stray litters and healthier pets mean fewer animals entering shelters during a crisis.
Preparedness is as much about access to care as it is about emergency planning. When distance and expense keep families from vital veterinary services, shelters become the safety net—often stretched beyond their resources.
By expanding access to care, we’re not just supporting animals; we’re strengthening entire communities to withstand and recover from disaster.
Each piece works together. Flights provide space. Clinics support resilience. Recovery programs strengthen sustainability. When connected, they form a safety net that helps entire communities through the next disaster.
Preparedness takes all of us. We don’t just show up when disaster strikes—we stay until communities can sustain recovery and resilience on their own. But this work depends on the support of people like you.
Your gift fuels transport flights, lifesaving veterinary services, and long-term partnerships that prepare communities before disaster, support them during crisis, and help sustain them through recovery.
This Preparedness Month, you can be part of the solution. Together, we can protect animals, support communities, and make sure that when the next crisis comes, we’re ready.