New Beginnings at 30,000 Feet: Pilot Adopts Kitten After Rescuing Over 145 Animals Affected by Hurricanes

Southwest Airlines pilot Matthew Prebish formed an unexpected bond with a rescue kitten named Avery while flying 145 shelter animals from areas hit by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene. The pets were relocated from shelters impacted by the storms to find new homes in the Midwest. The heartwarming rescue flight marked a new beginning for many animals, including Avery, who found a forever home with the pilot himself.

On October 12, Southwest Airlines pilot Matthew Prebish flew a remarkable rescue mission, transporting 145 animals affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene from the hurricane-stricken Southeast to shelters in the Midwest. Organized by Greater Good Charities in partnership with Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, the flight aimed to give shelter animals displaced by the storms a new chance at life.

These animals, including dogs and cats from shelters in Tennessee and Florida, were evacuated to Lucky Dog’s South Carolina Rescue Campus before being loaded onto a flight bound for Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. From there, they were distributed to eight different Midwest shelters, including Wisconsin’s Humane Animal Welfare Society and Illinois' One Tail at a Time, to await adoption.

Along with the animals, the partnership delivered humanitarian aid to areas in North Carolina still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

"It’s all about supporting both the people and the pets devastated by these storms," said Liz Baker, CEO of Greater Good Charities. "Our airlift and donations are part of our broader mission to provide relief in the aftermath of these catastrophic hurricanes."

One very lucky passenger didn’t have to wait long to find a new home. Captain Matthew Prebish, who piloted the flight, fell in love with Avery, a kitten rescued from Tennessee, during the journey. By the time they landed, he had already made up his mind to adopt her.

“It was love at 30,000 feet,” said Lucky Dog Animal Rescue CEO Mirah A. Horowitz. "Captain Matt wasn’t expecting to adopt a hurricane evacuee, but some things are just meant to be." By the end of the flight, Avery was comfortably settled in the cockpit with her new dad.

The rescue flight was part of an ongoing effort to provide relief to shelters overwhelmed by the high volume of animals needing care due to the hurricanes. After Hurricane Helene, many shelters struggled to accommodate the growing numbers of displaced pets.

"Thanks to Southwest Airlines, this flight was possible, giving overburdened shelters much-needed breathing room," Horowitz said. "It allows them to focus on helping animals reunite with their owners or find new homes, like Avery did."

Prior to the flight, veterinarians from Banfield Pet Hospital conducted health checks and provided certificates for each pet. A lead veterinarian also traveled with the animals to ensure their wellbeing during the journey.

In the wake of Hurricane Milton, which made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, on October 9, and Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, communities continue to recover. The storms claimed numerous lives, with Hurricane Helene resulting in over 220 fatalities.

Amid the tragedy, stories of survival and hope, like Avery's adoption, bring a bright spot to the recovery efforts. The mission is far from over, as shelters across the region work tirelessly to care for and rehome displaced pets.