Virginia Beach woman chartered plane to rescue 300 animals
Sept 19, 2017 23:41:32 GMT -5
Post by Honoria on Sept 19, 2017 23:41:32 GMT -5
God bless this wonderful woman! Please pray for her to be saved, if she's not already.
Virginia Beach woman chartered plane to rescue 300 animals as Hurricane Maria bore down on Caribbean | Local News
Mechelle Hankerson
VIRGINIA BEACH
Sali Gear thought she had time to plan the largest animal rescue mission she’s ever taken on.
The Virginia Beach resident co-owns Island Dog Rescue, a local nonprofit that specializes in saving dogs from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where she grew up.
After Hurricane Irma devastated St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, she planned to fly about 20 animals to the continental U.S. each day over a week.
Then Hurricane Maria threatened the Caribbean islands – and her plans.
Gear had two days to come up with a way to fly 300 animals to the area so they could go to her farm in Virginia Beach.
Her solution? Charter a plane – fast.
Dogs and cats rescued from storm-damaged islands
Over the weekend, Gear and donors paid for a $112,000 charter flight from Miami to rescue cats and dogs. They also provided $5,000 for carriers.
The animals landed safely Tuesday.
“I did it because it had to be done,” she said before the animals arrived. “People have moved heaven and earth to make this happen.”
Gear said she hadn’t slept more than four hours any night for almost two weeks.
“This is a sprint, not a marathon,” she said. “I’m exhausted emotionally, physically – but spiritually, I’m not.”
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Sali Gear of Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands damaged by Hurricane Irma. She was photographed at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017.
She’s been back to the Virgin Islands several times since Hurricane Irma devastated the islands almost two weeks ago. Most vegetation has been wiped out, as have many buildings, and animals are scrounging for food, she said.
Typically, Gear moves one or two animals at a time. She is on the board of directors for the St. Croix Humane Society and works with animal welfare groups on St. Thomas.
When the dogs arrived in Norfolk around 2 a.m. Tuesday, a bright orange note on each crate said: “I survived Hurricane Irma. I am still nervous. Please be cautious with me.”
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Tinsley Sarret writes a number on a dog's collar in a horse stall filled with dogs in kennels at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were damaged by Hurricane Irma.
But at Gear’s farm, they were excited to socialize. They wagged their tails and licked volunteers’ hands. Many slept easily in their crates, which filled Gear’s barn and porch.
Chris Sjolund, manager of the Virginia Beach-based animal rescue Hope for Life, said the handful of dogs her organization took seemed “highly adoptable” despite the trauma they’ve been through. She has worked with Gear before to rescue dogs from the Virgin Islands.
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“They all seem happy,” she said. “Island dogs are like that.”
Some rescue groups picked the animals up at the airport to transfer them. Others met at Gear’s farm to take them to their new homes in places like Boston, Pittsburgh and Charlotte, N.C.
Gear doesn’t keep rescued dogs at her farm, and other groups will have picked up most of the animals by today.
In addition to rescue groups, local high schoolers organized to help Gear’s mission.
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Two puppies look out of a kennel at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were damaged by Hurricane Irma.
Cape Henry Collegiate senior Tinsley Sarrett put out a call on social media for students to take care of the animals once they arrived.
In less than 24 hours, more than 250 people – many from Virginia Beach – volunteered to help walk dogs, some of which had been in crates since Irma hit.
Tinsley’s mom, Susan Sarrett, was one of the volunteers who traveled to the Caribbean to help Gear right after Hurricane Irma. Before that, the Sarretts didn’t know Gear.
In addition to finding volunteers, Tinsley is organizing a pet food drive at Cape Henry Collegiate.
“I have such a big passion for dogs,” she said. “I love them so much, and we as people have to help them.”
Mechelle Hankerson
7-8 minutes
VIRGINIA BEACH
Sali Gear thought she had time to plan the largest animal rescue mission she’s ever taken on.
The Virginia Beach resident co-owns Island Dog Rescue, a local nonprofit that specializes in saving dogs from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where she grew up.
After Hurricane Irma devastated St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, she planned to fly about 20 animals to the continental U.S. each day over a week.
Then Hurricane Maria threatened the Caribbean islands – and her plans.
Gear had two days to come up with a way to fly 300 animals to the area so they could go to her farm in Virginia Beach.
Her solution? Charter a plane – fast.
Dogs and cats rescued from storm-damaged islands
Over the weekend, Gear and donors paid for a $112,000 charter flight from Miami to rescue cats and dogs. They also provided $5,000 for carriers.
The animals landed safely Tuesday.
“I did it because it had to be done,” she said before the animals arrived. “People have moved heaven and earth to make this happen.”
Gear said she hadn’t slept more than four hours any night for almost two weeks.
“This is a sprint, not a marathon,” she said. “I’m exhausted emotionally, physically – but spiritually, I’m not.”
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Sali Gear of Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands damaged by Hurricane Irma. She was photographed at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017.
She’s been back to the Virgin Islands several times since Hurricane Irma devastated the islands almost two weeks ago. Most vegetation has been wiped out, as have many buildings, and animals are scrounging for food, she said.
Typically, Gear moves one or two animals at a time. She is on the board of directors for the St. Croix Humane Society and works with animal welfare groups on St. Thomas.
When the dogs arrived in Norfolk around 2 a.m. Tuesday, a bright orange note on each crate said: “I survived Hurricane Irma. I am still nervous. Please be cautious with me.”
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Tinsley Sarret writes a number on a dog's collar in a horse stall filled with dogs in kennels at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were damaged by Hurricane Irma.
But at Gear’s farm, they were excited to socialize. They wagged their tails and licked volunteers’ hands. Many slept easily in their crates, which filled Gear’s barn and porch.
Chris Sjolund, manager of the Virginia Beach-based animal rescue Hope for Life, said the handful of dogs her organization took seemed “highly adoptable” despite the trauma they’ve been through. She has worked with Gear before to rescue dogs from the Virgin Islands.
We know what's happening in Virginia Beach today
Sign up to get top stories from across the city, delivered to your inbox.
“They all seem happy,” she said. “Island dogs are like that.”
Some rescue groups picked the animals up at the airport to transfer them. Others met at Gear’s farm to take them to their new homes in places like Boston, Pittsburgh and Charlotte, N.C.
Gear doesn’t keep rescued dogs at her farm, and other groups will have picked up most of the animals by today.
In addition to rescue groups, local high schoolers organized to help Gear’s mission.
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Two puppies look out of a kennel at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were damaged by Hurricane Irma.
Cape Henry Collegiate senior Tinsley Sarrett put out a call on social media for students to take care of the animals once they arrived.
In less than 24 hours, more than 250 people – many from Virginia Beach – volunteered to help walk dogs, some of which had been in crates since Irma hit.
Tinsley’s mom, Susan Sarrett, was one of the volunteers who traveled to the Caribbean to help Gear right after Hurricane Irma. Before that, the Sarretts didn’t know Gear.
In addition to finding volunteers, Tinsley is organizing a pet food drive at Cape Henry Collegiate.
“I have such a big passion for dogs,” she said. “I love them so much, and we as people have to help them.”
link
Virginia Beach woman chartered plane to rescue 300 animals as Hurricane Maria bore down on Caribbean | Local News
Mechelle Hankerson
VIRGINIA BEACH
Sali Gear thought she had time to plan the largest animal rescue mission she’s ever taken on.
The Virginia Beach resident co-owns Island Dog Rescue, a local nonprofit that specializes in saving dogs from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where she grew up.
After Hurricane Irma devastated St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, she planned to fly about 20 animals to the continental U.S. each day over a week.
Then Hurricane Maria threatened the Caribbean islands – and her plans.
Gear had two days to come up with a way to fly 300 animals to the area so they could go to her farm in Virginia Beach.
Her solution? Charter a plane – fast.
Dogs and cats rescued from storm-damaged islands
Over the weekend, Gear and donors paid for a $112,000 charter flight from Miami to rescue cats and dogs. They also provided $5,000 for carriers.
The animals landed safely Tuesday.
“I did it because it had to be done,” she said before the animals arrived. “People have moved heaven and earth to make this happen.”
Gear said she hadn’t slept more than four hours any night for almost two weeks.
“This is a sprint, not a marathon,” she said. “I’m exhausted emotionally, physically – but spiritually, I’m not.”
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Sali Gear of Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands damaged by Hurricane Irma. She was photographed at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017.
She’s been back to the Virgin Islands several times since Hurricane Irma devastated the islands almost two weeks ago. Most vegetation has been wiped out, as have many buildings, and animals are scrounging for food, she said.
Typically, Gear moves one or two animals at a time. She is on the board of directors for the St. Croix Humane Society and works with animal welfare groups on St. Thomas.
When the dogs arrived in Norfolk around 2 a.m. Tuesday, a bright orange note on each crate said: “I survived Hurricane Irma. I am still nervous. Please be cautious with me.”
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Tinsley Sarret writes a number on a dog's collar in a horse stall filled with dogs in kennels at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were damaged by Hurricane Irma.
But at Gear’s farm, they were excited to socialize. They wagged their tails and licked volunteers’ hands. Many slept easily in their crates, which filled Gear’s barn and porch.
Chris Sjolund, manager of the Virginia Beach-based animal rescue Hope for Life, said the handful of dogs her organization took seemed “highly adoptable” despite the trauma they’ve been through. She has worked with Gear before to rescue dogs from the Virgin Islands.
We know what's happening in Virginia Beach today
Sign up to get top stories from across the city, delivered to your inbox.
“They all seem happy,” she said. “Island dogs are like that.”
Some rescue groups picked the animals up at the airport to transfer them. Others met at Gear’s farm to take them to their new homes in places like Boston, Pittsburgh and Charlotte, N.C.
Gear doesn’t keep rescued dogs at her farm, and other groups will have picked up most of the animals by today.
In addition to rescue groups, local high schoolers organized to help Gear’s mission.
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Two puppies look out of a kennel at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were damaged by Hurricane Irma.
Cape Henry Collegiate senior Tinsley Sarrett put out a call on social media for students to take care of the animals once they arrived.
In less than 24 hours, more than 250 people – many from Virginia Beach – volunteered to help walk dogs, some of which had been in crates since Irma hit.
Tinsley’s mom, Susan Sarrett, was one of the volunteers who traveled to the Caribbean to help Gear right after Hurricane Irma. Before that, the Sarretts didn’t know Gear.
In addition to finding volunteers, Tinsley is organizing a pet food drive at Cape Henry Collegiate.
“I have such a big passion for dogs,” she said. “I love them so much, and we as people have to help them.”
Mechelle Hankerson
7-8 minutes
VIRGINIA BEACH
Sali Gear thought she had time to plan the largest animal rescue mission she’s ever taken on.
The Virginia Beach resident co-owns Island Dog Rescue, a local nonprofit that specializes in saving dogs from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where she grew up.
After Hurricane Irma devastated St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, she planned to fly about 20 animals to the continental U.S. each day over a week.
Then Hurricane Maria threatened the Caribbean islands – and her plans.
Gear had two days to come up with a way to fly 300 animals to the area so they could go to her farm in Virginia Beach.
Her solution? Charter a plane – fast.
Dogs and cats rescued from storm-damaged islands
Over the weekend, Gear and donors paid for a $112,000 charter flight from Miami to rescue cats and dogs. They also provided $5,000 for carriers.
The animals landed safely Tuesday.
“I did it because it had to be done,” she said before the animals arrived. “People have moved heaven and earth to make this happen.”
Gear said she hadn’t slept more than four hours any night for almost two weeks.
“This is a sprint, not a marathon,” she said. “I’m exhausted emotionally, physically – but spiritually, I’m not.”
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Sali Gear of Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands damaged by Hurricane Irma. She was photographed at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017.
She’s been back to the Virgin Islands several times since Hurricane Irma devastated the islands almost two weeks ago. Most vegetation has been wiped out, as have many buildings, and animals are scrounging for food, she said.
Typically, Gear moves one or two animals at a time. She is on the board of directors for the St. Croix Humane Society and works with animal welfare groups on St. Thomas.
When the dogs arrived in Norfolk around 2 a.m. Tuesday, a bright orange note on each crate said: “I survived Hurricane Irma. I am still nervous. Please be cautious with me.”
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Tinsley Sarret writes a number on a dog's collar in a horse stall filled with dogs in kennels at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were damaged by Hurricane Irma.
But at Gear’s farm, they were excited to socialize. They wagged their tails and licked volunteers’ hands. Many slept easily in their crates, which filled Gear’s barn and porch.
Chris Sjolund, manager of the Virginia Beach-based animal rescue Hope for Life, said the handful of dogs her organization took seemed “highly adoptable” despite the trauma they’ve been through. She has worked with Gear before to rescue dogs from the Virgin Islands.
We know what's happening in Virginia Beach today
Sign up to get top stories from across the city, delivered to your inbox.
“They all seem happy,” she said. “Island dogs are like that.”
Some rescue groups picked the animals up at the airport to transfer them. Others met at Gear’s farm to take them to their new homes in places like Boston, Pittsburgh and Charlotte, N.C.
Gear doesn’t keep rescued dogs at her farm, and other groups will have picked up most of the animals by today.
In addition to rescue groups, local high schoolers organized to help Gear’s mission.
+3
Dogs and Cats Rescued from Storm Damaged Islands
Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot
Two puppies look out of a kennel at Calypso Run Farm in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. Island Dog Rescue chartered a plane to bring over 300 dogs and cats back from the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were damaged by Hurricane Irma.
Cape Henry Collegiate senior Tinsley Sarrett put out a call on social media for students to take care of the animals once they arrived.
In less than 24 hours, more than 250 people – many from Virginia Beach – volunteered to help walk dogs, some of which had been in crates since Irma hit.
Tinsley’s mom, Susan Sarrett, was one of the volunteers who traveled to the Caribbean to help Gear right after Hurricane Irma. Before that, the Sarretts didn’t know Gear.
In addition to finding volunteers, Tinsley is organizing a pet food drive at Cape Henry Collegiate.
“I have such a big passion for dogs,” she said. “I love them so much, and we as people have to help them.”
link