On September 9, St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter in Louisiana received several calls about a stray dog seen near a local restaurant in Destrehan. Described as a two-year-old pup, the elusive dog would flee into the surrounding woods whenever animal control officers attempted to approach her.
For days, the resilient young dog avoided capture. Then, on September 11, Hurricane Francine struck, devastating the area. Despite the chaos, the determined pup survived the storm. Over the next week, compassionate community members left out food and kept watch for an opportunity to help her.
On September 21, a resident posted a photo of the dog near the levee, with what appeared to be an injured leg. That same day, two dedicated locals managed to rescue her and bring her to safety. She was named Desti Ann, a nod to Destrehan, the city where she was found.
At the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter, veterinarians discovered Desti Ann had a severely broken femur, likely from her adventures before her rescue. Unfortunately, her leg couldn’t be saved, and she underwent an amputation. But even after enduring a hurricane, injury, and surgery, Desti Ann’s spirit remained unshaken. Shelter staff shared that she quickly grew to trust humans, loved being by their side, and thrived in outdoor environments.
Despite her sweet nature, the shelter’s adoption inquiries didn’t lead to a permanent home. But her story took a heartwarming turn just in time for the holidays. After a visit to Santa brought attention to her plight, Desti Ann was selected to join Greater Good Charities’ special holiday flight. These life-saving flights transport shelter pets to regions with higher adoption rates, increasing their chances of finding forever homes.
Now, Desti Ann’s journey has brought her to the Pacific Northwest. Her flight recently landed in Oregon, where the Oregon Humane Society eagerly welcomed her. This brave, three-legged dog is on the brink of meeting her new family and beginning a life filled with love and adventure.
Desti Ann’s story exemplifies resilience and the incredible impact of community compassion. From the residents who ensured her safety to the shelter staff who nurtured her and the organizations that orchestrated her journey, every step of her path highlights the collective effort to give animals like her a second chance.
This holiday season, as Desti Ann settles into her new life, let her story serve as a reminder of the transformative power of kindness and the joy of providing a deserving pet with a forever home.
When you donate to our pet transport program, you help us fly more pets like Desti Ann to families that will love them and give them a second chance. Together, we can create more happy endings for animals in need.