Pilot of Rescue Flight for Pets Impacted by Hurricanes Adopts Kitten After Finding 'Love at 30,000 Feet'

Mar. 15, 2025

Avery the cat snuggles up with Southwest Airlines' Captain Matthew Prebish.Photo:Southwest Airlines/Stephen Keller

rescue flight leading to a pet adoption by the pilot

Southwest Airlines/Stephen Keller

The partnership also delivered humanitarian supplies to North Carolinacommunities recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Matthew Prebish and his new kitten, Avery.Southwest Airlines/Stephen Keller

In response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Southwest AirlinesÂ® partnered with Greater Good Charities and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, to operate an emergency airlift

“It was love at 30,000 feet. I don’t think Captain Matt was expecting to adopt a hurricane evacuee from Tennessee when he agreed to fly this amazingly special flight, but some things are meant to be,” Lucky Dog CEO Mirah A. Horowitz said in a statement to PEOPLE.

“Avery the kitten is definitely a Lucky Cat and was right at home with his new dad in the cockpit once we landed and parked. Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is extremely proud to have helped make this happy ending possible.”

Avery the cat snuggles up with pilot Matthew Prebish.Southwest Airlines/Stephen Keller

In response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Southwest Airlines partnered with Greater Good Charities and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, to operate an emergency airlift

According to news releases from both the nonprofit andSouthwest Airlines, over 150 pets were transported to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport on Oct. 12 before they were sent to eight shelters in the Midwest. Those shelters included Wisconsin’s Humane Animal Welfare Society, Elmbrook Humane Society, The Washington County Humane Society, the Humane Society of Jefferson County, the Dane County Humane Society, Eau Claire Community Humane Association, Green County Humane Society, and Illinois' One Tail at a Time.

Avery the kitten.Southwest Airlines/Stephen Keller

In response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Southwest AirlinesÂ® partnered with Greater Good Charities and Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, to operate an emergency airlift of about 150 shelter pets impacted by the storms

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“After Hurricane Helene hit, we knew we needed to provide some relief to the shelters in impacted areas. Our Rescue Campus in Florence was perfectly situated to do that,” Horowitz said.

GREATER GOOD CHARITIES PARTNERS WITH SOUTHWEST AIRLINES AND LUCKY DOG ANIMAL RESCUE TO TRANSPORT HUMANITARIAN SUPPLIES TO NORTH CAROLINA A

Greater Good Charities/Ray Aguilar

As previously reported, Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, on Oct. 9.At least 16 people diedas a result of the storm. Additionally, the death toll for Hurricane Helene is over 220 individuals, per officialsand news outlets.

To learn more about how to help with relief, recovery, and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Helene,click here.

source: people.com

Pilot of Rescue Flight for Pets Impacted by Hurricanes Adopts Kitten After Finding 'Love at 30,000 Feet'

Other Posts