More than 200 cats and dogs relocated to Wisconsin in wake of Hurricane Helene, Milton

Greater Good Charities, a global nonprofit, flew more than 200 cats and dogs into Wisconsin after they were relocated following hurricanes Helene and Milton. 

The pets were transferred to make room in hurricane-affected shelters for local pets who were displaced by the storms, according to press releases by Greater Good Charities. 

Airlifts flew the shelter pets into Waukesha and Milwaukee airports from South Carolina on Oct. 2 and Oct. 12, respectively. At least 270 cats and dogs were relocated by Greater Good Charities and delivered to humane societies throughout Wisconsin and northern Illinois based on shelter availability.

“Since the beginning we have been supporting the people and pets devastated by these catastrophic hurricanes,” Greater Good Charities CEO Liz Baker said in a press release.

Good Flights, operating under the umbrella of Greater Good Charities, works to save shelter animals and provide disaster relief through airlifts and ground transport. Over 14,000 shelter pets have been transported to safety since Good Flights was established in April 2021, according to the organization. 

“Greater Good Charities’ mission works to help people, pets and the planet by mobilizing in response to need,” Sàra Varsa, executive vice president of programs for Greater Good Charities, told The Daily Cardinal in an email. “These emergency airlifts of pets are part of our efforts to bring relief to the hardest-hit areas. Creating room for these critical care facilities that are handling injured and displaced pets due to the storms ensures they can serve the needs of their communities.” 

The Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) of Waukesha said Oct. 13 the animals they received from the Oct. 2 airlift have already been adopted and the organization isn’t worried about future transports given the enthusiasm of the community.

“That flight was on a Tuesday or Wednesday…we had 100 adoptions over that weekend. Not just the transport pets, but the other pets that have been here at the shelter for other reasons,” HAWS Communications Specialist Jen Smieja told Spectrum News 1. “People really have been reacting.”

On the Oct. 12 Milwaukee-bound flight, Avery the kitten found a forever home before the plane had even landed. The Southwest Airlines captain of the plane “found love at 30,000 feet” and decided to adopt Avery.

Other airlifts of pets out of shelters are occurring nationwide, bringing pets to the East Coast, including New York, Maryland, Massachusetts and Virginia.  Airlifts are likely to continue as the hurricane season stretches to the end of November.