Denver Pilot Meets A Homeless Kitten And Adopts Her In The Middle Of The Flight
As a terrifying hurricane started heading toward Florida, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue from Virginia and Greater Good Charities from Washington sprang into action to save as many animals as possible.
Joining forces with Southwest Airlines, the teams arranged to fly nearly 150 cats and dogs out of the danger zone in Florida and into safety in Milwaukee.
It was a race against time to give these animals a better chance at life, away from the looming disaster.
The excitement was all around as the animals boarded the plane, some even riding in the cabin with the crew. It felt like something special.
Mirah Horowitz, CEO of the Virginia rescue, shared in an interview:
“It was truly a magical experience. The animals [got to] ride in the cabin.”
The Southwest Airlines team instantly connected with the animals. They made sure each furry traveler felt comfortable and safe throughout the flight.
As the flight went on, Captain Matt Prebish found a special bond with a tiny kitten named Avery. Her playful energy and adventurous spirit quickly captured Matt’s heart.
That’s when a simple flight to Milwaukee became something much more meaningful.
Mid-flight, Matt realized he couldn’t let Avery go, and he started picturing her in his home.
It wasn’t something he had planned, but his wife had a hunch about how this trip would end, as Matt shared:
“My wife said she knew that when I accepted this trip that I would probably come home with some animal.”
As the plane was about to land, a small storm delayed them, giving Matt the perfect chance to call his wife and ask if she’d be okay with adding a new kitty to the family.
With her blessing, the adoption was quickly arranged – right there, on the plane!
The shelter staff got to work on the paperwork right away to make it official. Horowitz shared:
“It definitely wasn’t anticipated. There was a little bit of a mad scramble to get the paperwork done for an adoption.”
Before long, Avery was officially part of the Prebish family.
As they flew back home to Denver, Matt couldn’t help but feel grateful. Not only did he find a new companion in Avery, but he also played a part in making a real impact.
He knew that by adopting this kitten, he was helping animals affected by the hurricane, giving them a better chance at a safe, happy life.
It felt like a small but meaningful way to make a difference, as he shared:
“I’m honored and glad that we could make a difference. And hopefully these animals will find their forever homes and make a bunch of people very happy.”
By moving the animals to Milwaukee, more space opened up in the Florida shelters. This allowed rescuers to take in local animals displaced or injured in the storm’s aftermath and give them the care they desperately needed.
For the poor creatures who had been through so much, this was a new beginning, and for the rescuers, it was a reminder of why they do what they do: to offer hope, love, and a fresh start when it’s needed most.
