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Airlines Break Their Own Rules So Pets Can Escape Fires
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Airlines Break Their Own Rules So Pets Can Escape Fires

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More than 80,000 Fort McMurray’s residents in Canada were forced to flee their homes because of the massive wildfires in recent days. Thankfully, West Jet and Canadian North airlines have been making the evacuation process easier by letting people fly with their pets in the cabin.

“It’s definitely unusual to carry pets in the cabin, but due to the unusual circumstances we were able to bend the rules to accommodate these animals during this crisis,” Canadian North’s Kelly Lewis told Bored Panda.

Normally, animals traveling by plane should be kept in the cargo hold. However, in the current circumstances the residents are not allowed to return home for crates so it’s wonderful that they can take their beloved animals with them.

(h/t: thedodo)

More than 80,000 Canadians were forced to flee their homes in the recent days

Image credits: Cas Courcelles

Massive wildfires in Fort McMurray made it difficult to get their pets to safety, too

Image credits: Jen C

Thankfully, West Jet and Canadian North airlines decided to let pets fly in the cabin

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Image credits: Canadian North

“Due to the unusual circumstances we were able to bend the rules to accommodate these animals,” Kelly Lewis told Bored Panda

Image credits: Jen C

Canadian North’s staff are even fostering the cat named Meow Meow after her pregnant owner went into labour

Image credits: Big Brothers Big Sis

Normally, animals traveling by plane should be kept in the cargo hold

Image credits: Canadian North

However, in these circumstances, airlines made an exception

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Image credits: Jen C

So it’s wonderful that they can take their beloved animals with them

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Image credits: Jen C

They can comfort each other on the way to safety

Image credits: Amanda Weger

Thank you, Kelly Lewis, for talking to Bored Panda about your wonderful decision!

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Julija Televičiūtė

Julija Televičiūtė

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Crazy in love with my sweet rescue pup https://www.instagram.com/rescueshepskybella/

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Julija Televičiūtė

Julija Televičiūtė

Author, Community member

Crazy in love with my sweet rescue pup https://www.instagram.com/rescueshepskybella/

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Judith Adair
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you West Jet and Canadian North Airlines for opening your planes and your hearts for this act of humanity.

Amber Ridgdill
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A number of airlines *do* allow pets in the cabin already. http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/airtravel/airpettravel.shtml But it's understandable that many do not due to allergies, fear of dogs, small children who can't keep their hands to themselves, barking, dogs dealing with strangers in a strange place, and many other issues. There are always ground travel and boats to avoid air travel with your pets, but many owners prefer the ease of air travel over the comfort of their pets.

Load More Replies...
Cath Kerry
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful, well done for using common sense and realizing sometimes rules have to be broken for compassion's sake.

PaintingSparrow
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad airlines allow pets after the fire, because if I had lost my dog In a fire because of the no let policy for planes I wouldn't recov

Lori Duchrow
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awesome! Look at how well behaved they all are! That's amazing. No one barking or carrying on when all those other dogs are on board? amazing!

Amy Mosshart
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So glad to see they bent the rules. I think airlines should do this all the time, not just in emergencies!

Heidi Fancher
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the best story ever! Being a pet owner/lover myself, I can't imagine leaving my pet behind. Though, I do understand there may be circumstances that can prevent this possibility. So many hero's out there helping find peoples furry loved ones with such amazing success.

Ann Merritt
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So glad these airlines were compassionate, these poor people were maybe losing their homes, so having their pets with them had to be comforting. Kudos to the airlines.

Aida Flores
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

West Jet and Canadian North Airlines, and the pilot Keith Mann , you are my heroes! such a beatiful act !!

Redscrambled
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Congratulations to both airlines!!! What a wonderful thing to do. Compassion on so many levels. !!!

olemann77
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never seen this many smiling and happy people on a plane before. Worth a thought.

olemann77
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My first thought was: I have never seen this many smiling and happy people on a plane. Worth a thought.

Robert F
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yay West Jet and Canadian North. Boo to the human who uses a spiked collar.

L Rath
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not all pets got out. Some people could not get back to their houses and were forced to evacuate under order. Any who were not at home and could not get back to their homes, either because of fire or because of gridlock were forced to leave their pets. They did not make the decision to leave them, they were forced to leave them. There were over 90,000 people affected. Many pets did perish.

Glynis Lailann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was wondering about the animals that were possibly left behind as they could not be accommodated. Thank you for putting my mind at ease.

Rhon
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's wonderful. It's beautiful to the comfort the owners and pets had being together.

Shruti Naik
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an experience it must have been for them! It was a good gesture!

Brent E. Barnes
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am making $89/hour working from home. I never thought that it was legitimate but my best friend is earning $10 thousand a month by working online, that was really surprising for me, she recommended me to try it. You will lose nothing, just try it out on the following website. _+_++_+_+_+_+_+_+_ www.social36.com

Gita Medne
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

yeah, but lets remember people with alergies

Wendy Tsao
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was a 50-minute flight out of a raging inferno. I have allergies, but I wouldn't have cared if I had to sit in the middle of cats and dogs. I am so impressed by the generosity and the care shown by airlines, first responders and many Canadians as they do what they can to help the Fort McMurray people.

Load More Replies...
Judith Adair
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you West Jet and Canadian North Airlines for opening your planes and your hearts for this act of humanity.

Amber Ridgdill
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A number of airlines *do* allow pets in the cabin already. http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/airtravel/airpettravel.shtml But it's understandable that many do not due to allergies, fear of dogs, small children who can't keep their hands to themselves, barking, dogs dealing with strangers in a strange place, and many other issues. There are always ground travel and boats to avoid air travel with your pets, but many owners prefer the ease of air travel over the comfort of their pets.

Load More Replies...
Cath Kerry
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wonderful, well done for using common sense and realizing sometimes rules have to be broken for compassion's sake.

PaintingSparrow
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm glad airlines allow pets after the fire, because if I had lost my dog In a fire because of the no let policy for planes I wouldn't recov

Lori Duchrow
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awesome! Look at how well behaved they all are! That's amazing. No one barking or carrying on when all those other dogs are on board? amazing!

Amy Mosshart
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So glad to see they bent the rules. I think airlines should do this all the time, not just in emergencies!

Heidi Fancher
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is the best story ever! Being a pet owner/lover myself, I can't imagine leaving my pet behind. Though, I do understand there may be circumstances that can prevent this possibility. So many hero's out there helping find peoples furry loved ones with such amazing success.

Ann Merritt
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So glad these airlines were compassionate, these poor people were maybe losing their homes, so having their pets with them had to be comforting. Kudos to the airlines.

Aida Flores
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

West Jet and Canadian North Airlines, and the pilot Keith Mann , you are my heroes! such a beatiful act !!

Redscrambled
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Congratulations to both airlines!!! What a wonderful thing to do. Compassion on so many levels. !!!

olemann77
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have never seen this many smiling and happy people on a plane before. Worth a thought.

olemann77
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My first thought was: I have never seen this many smiling and happy people on a plane. Worth a thought.

Robert F
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yay West Jet and Canadian North. Boo to the human who uses a spiked collar.

L Rath
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not all pets got out. Some people could not get back to their houses and were forced to evacuate under order. Any who were not at home and could not get back to their homes, either because of fire or because of gridlock were forced to leave their pets. They did not make the decision to leave them, they were forced to leave them. There were over 90,000 people affected. Many pets did perish.

Glynis Lailann
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was wondering about the animals that were possibly left behind as they could not be accommodated. Thank you for putting my mind at ease.

Rhon
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's wonderful. It's beautiful to the comfort the owners and pets had being together.

Shruti Naik
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What an experience it must have been for them! It was a good gesture!

Brent E. Barnes
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am making $89/hour working from home. I never thought that it was legitimate but my best friend is earning $10 thousand a month by working online, that was really surprising for me, she recommended me to try it. You will lose nothing, just try it out on the following website. _+_++_+_+_+_+_+_+_ www.social36.com

Gita Medne
Community Member
8 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

yeah, but lets remember people with alergies

Wendy Tsao
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was a 50-minute flight out of a raging inferno. I have allergies, but I wouldn't have cared if I had to sit in the middle of cats and dogs. I am so impressed by the generosity and the care shown by airlines, first responders and many Canadians as they do what they can to help the Fort McMurray people.

Load More Replies...
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