Paws From Paradise Fly to New Homes
Over the last five days, three planeloads of Crucian puppies were airlifted to the mainland, most adopted in a matter of hours, through the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center’s Paws from Paradise program. That brings the total to 178 dogs from the Virgin Islands now living in permanent homes in America this year alone.
2022-05-23 12:20:45 - VI News Staff
“If they are all small dogs, it’s cheaper. If they are big dogs, it’s more,” he said.
Dogs selected to fly are small canines or puppies that can be confined safely in crates in Air Cargo Carriers’ and Amerijet’s aircraft. Dogs are first chosen by AWC, and then the partner shelter approves them by photos and short biographies written by staff. Most stateside rescues don’t take pit bulls or pit mixes.
All travelers must be neutered and up-to-date with shots required by the state where they will be living. The veterinarian and vet technicians at the center spend hours performing spay and neuter operations, administering shots, and completing the necessary health certificates.
While they are getting health checkups, other staff are locating airline kennels to fit each dog. They are cleaned, labeled, and stocked with piddle pads.
Because the animals who fly will find a new home, they are placed with foster parents for the last week or so to make room for new animals who need care at AWC and Pet Place.
The fosters treat the pups like their own, and it’s clear they’re fond of each other when they part at Pet Place early on the morning of the flight.
Two of the foster parents for Thursday’s flight, Alan Boisvert and Shawn Muder, hugged their pups and drove to the airport to help get them loaded on the plane. Both decided to foster pups to help fill a void after losing their own pet, they said.
Thursday’s flight included a truck from Centerline Car Rental with Renee Sweany to help transport puppy-filled crates. At the Fleming Transport dock, she was called upon to cuddle a puppy with an upset stomach while everyone else prepared for the flight. By the time she left, the pup was calm.