100 Cats Were Evacuated to Massachusetts via Plane to Save Them from the Deadly Kentucky Storm
When a deadly tornado tore through Western Kentucky in December 2021, the damage went far beyond homes and roads. Families were displaced, shelters were overwhelmed, and hundreds of animals were suddenly caught in the middle of it all.
That is where the Kentucky Humane Society stepped in, working with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to move 100 cats out of harm's way. With storm-related intake expected to rise, the shelter needed space fast, and Massachusetts had room to help.
What followed was a carefully coordinated flight that gave those cats a safer place to land, and a second chance at adoption.
On the morning of the flight, the KHS staff and volunteers prepared 100 cats for the plane ride to Massachusetts.
All 100 cats were fed and secured in clean, travel-safe carriers for their trip.
Each cat had ice cubes to stay hydrated during their two-hour plane ride.
The move had to be organized down to the last detail.
Their transport from the KHS shelter to the airport was carefully planned and documented via social media.
The staff and volunteers from MSPCA and their followers were also anticipating the arrival of the hundred cats.
They posted an update once the vans full of cats arrived safely at the airport.
Look at all those cats of various colors, shapes, and sizes waiting patiently for their trip!
It was a big sight, even before takeoff.
It’s a grim reminder of workers who found an abandoned cat carrier in their driveway and had no idea who left it.
KHS did an excellent job securing the hundred cats in their travel-safe carriers.
The organization was thrilled to announce that their beloved shelter cats had arrived safely in Massachusetts.
They were met by MSPCA staff and volunteers to be transferred to their Cape Cod Adoption Center and another adoption center in Salem.
They were very carefully unloaded from the transport plane, ready for the next leg of the trip.
The ASPCA, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, supported the transport and ensured that a safe plane ride to Massachusetts was possible.
For the shelters involved, this was a rare kind of rescue mission.
It was a challenging time for Kentucky, but with the support and coordination of local and national organizations, the cats were relocated to a safe place.
The hope was to have the 100 cats settle into their new environment quickly.
They were observed for a 48-hour quarantine period for a health check. The shelters had to ensure the cats were in top condition before preparing them for adoption before the holidays.
A call for donations was also posted to appeal to the hearts of generous individuals to provide for their needs. Caring for 100 cats is no small feat, even for a well-supported organization.
They offered discounted adoption prices to anyone interested in rehoming the evacuated cats. A quick adoption into a loving family is ideal to alleviate all the stress the cats have experienced.
This incredible journey was only possible because of the hard work put in by all the volunteers and staff from the organizations involved. Thanks to them, all 100 of those cats have a new lease on life!
That kind of teamwork made all the difference.
Still think people handle cats gently? See how a woman was called “cruel” for refusing to lock her cats in a car during a hurricane.
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