Canadian Airlines Are Bending The Rules For Wildfire Victims And Their Pets

Credit: @CanadianNorth
Credit: @CanadianNorth

The Fort McMurray wildfires have displaced 80,000 people after the province of Alberta declared a state of emergency and forced those in danger to evacuate. Those that were lucky enough to make it out with their pets are fleeing from Fort McMurray and for some, that means catching a flight to somewhere safe.

Airlines typically only allow small pets to ride in the main cabin in kennels or soft-sided bags. Larger dogs must be in kennels and put in the cargo area of the plane.

Credit: Fort McMurray Evacuee Open Source Help Page
Credit: Fort McMurray Evacuee Open Source Help Page

However, during the evacuation most pet parents weren’t able to grab their pets’ kennels or didn’t have enough room to take it with them. This has left those needing to fly with their larger dogs in a bit of a situation, and that’s where the goodwill of West Jet and Canadian North come in.

Credit: @cascourcelles
Credit: @cascourcelles

The two airlines, and possibly others, have improvised in the wake of the wildfires and are allowing the displaced pets and their humans to fly together loose in the main 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,” said a spokesperson from Canadian North.

Pets include domestic animals such as dogs, cats, bunnies, turtles and in one instance even a tree frog.

Credit: @bbbspc
Credit: @bbbspc

These airlines are just one of many trying to aid animals in the evacuation and their efforts are not going unnoticed, as many pet owners are extremely grateful to be able to stick with their fur babies during these tough times.

Considering the heavy loss that many evacuees are facing, these small gestures can change their whole world.

Do you think more airlines should bend the rules for evacuees and their animals? Please comment on, like, and share this article!


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