A collaboration between the national nonprofit Petco Love, BOBS from Skechers™, and Wings of Rescue has resulted in the evacuation of over 140 shelter pets from Florida. This joint effort aims to provide support to partner animal welfare organizations in the region following the impact of Hurricane Idalia, which struck the state as a Category 3 hurricane. The first flight, organized by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and the Pet Resource Center at Hillsborough County Animal Shelter, departed from the Tampa area early Thursday morning. Another flight, led by the Jacksonville Humane Society (“JHS”) in northern Florida, carrying cats and dogs from JHS and Columbia County shelters, is scheduled to leave on Friday. Upon arrival in Delaware, the Brandywine Valley SPCA team will coordinate the adoption of these pets to families in the surrounding areas. This collective effort underscores the shared commitment to saving pets’ lives during times of crisis.
Among the pets airlifted from the affected areas is Lori, a puppy from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, who hopes to find a new, loving home. The Brandywine Valley SPCA has welcomed Lori and 81 other pets with open arms, assuring them that they will be well cared for as they prepare for adoption.
Petco Love’s “Love Is in the Air” lifesaving disaster flight mission seeks to relieve the burden on Florida animal welfare organizations as they recover from the storm. It also aims to assist injured or missing pets who were affected by Hurricane Idalia. Each cat and dog on the flight has been medically cleared by a licensed veterinarian for safe travel.
Susanne Kogut, President of Petco Love, emphasized the significance of collaboration in this operation, saying, “This animal airlift operation is a testament to the remarkable power of collaboration. Working hand in hand, multiple local and national nonprofits came together to facilitate safe and efficient transport of animals to shelters in the north to create capacity at local Florida organizations to serve the community in their time of need.”
Ric Browde, CEO and President of Wings of Rescue, emphasized their mission to save at-risk dogs and cats during disasters and thanked their partners, Petco Love and BOBS from Skechers™, for their support in this endeavor.
Michael Greenberg, President of Skechers, highlighted their commitment to supporting animals in crisis through donations and collaboration, particularly in the face of natural disasters like Hurricane Idalia.
In addition to these efforts, Petco Love encourages pet parents who have lost or found a pet during Hurricane Idalia to utilize the Petco Love Lost online database. This database simplifies and expedites the process of searching for lost pets by using just one photo. With patented image-recognition technology and over 2,500 shelter locations, the database helps identify and reunite lost pets.
September 1st also marks the start of National Preparedness Month. Pet parents can ensure they are prepared for disasters or emergencies by planning ahead, including registering their pets on Petco Love Lost while their pets are in their care.
For media inquiries, please contact:
– Crystal Bugary, Petco Love, [email protected]
– Gene Gable, Wings of Rescue, [email protected], (707) 235-0869
About Wings of Rescue:
Wings of Rescue is a donation-supported charity dedicated to transporting abandoned, homeless, and at-risk pets from overcrowded shelters and disaster areas to safe rescue facilities and animal welfare organizations, where each pet receives proper care and finds a new home. Additionally, Wings of Rescue transports humanitarian and veterinary aid to communities and pets in need. Since its establishment in 2012, Wings of Rescue has flown over 68,000 pets to safety and new lives. The nonprofit conducts hundreds of missions annually, flying thousands of dogs, cats, and other small companion animals to and from locations throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. They advocate for responsible pet ownership and believe that all pets deserve a healthy and loving home. For more information, visit [wingsofrescue.org](https://wingsofrescue.org/).
About Petco Love:
Petco Love is a transformative nonprofit organization that brings communities and pet families closer, stronger, and healthier. Since its founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, it has invested $370 million in adoption and other lifesaving efforts. In partnership with Petco and organizations nationwide, Petco Love has helped find loving homes for over 6.7 million pets. The organization leads with innovation, creating tools for reuniting lost pets and mobilizing communities and its more than 4,000 animal welfare partners to drive lifesaving change. Join them at [petcolove.org](https://petcolove.org) or on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn to be part of the daily lifesaving work they lead.
About SKECHERS U.S.A., Inc.:
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE:SKX) is a Fortune 500® Company based in Southern California. It designs, develops, and markets lifestyle and performance footwear, apparel, and accessories for men, women, and children. Skechers products are available in over 180 countries and territories through various retail channels. The Company manages its international business through a network of wholly-owned subsidiaries, joint venture partners, and distributors. For more information, visit [about.skechers.com](https://about.skechers.com) and follow Skechers on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
About BOBS from Skechers:
BOBS from Skechers is a charitable collection of shoes, apparel, and accessories that has contributed over $10 million to support animals in need over the past eight years. Skechers’ charitable initiatives began in 2011 to aid children affected by natural disasters and poverty, resulting in the donation of over 16 million new pairs of shoes to children in more than 60 countries worldwide.
