Local Groups Rescue 150+ Pets In Virgin Islands
The Animals Were Scheduled For Euthanasia Due To The Pandemic
The pandemic is having far-reaching consequences across our society. And one that’s often overlooked is the impact on animals, particularly pets.
A case in point was the 150+ dogs and cats in the U.S. Virgin Islands that were stranded for several reasons, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, a local environmental company, Weedoo Boats in West Palm Beach, joined forces with Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee to save the day.
The organizations chartered a private cargo plane to transport the animals, which were scheduled for euthanasia this weekend. Activists on the island raised awareness to the situation earlier this week. The plane is scheduled to arrive this afternoon at the Treasure Coast International Airport, and the dogs and cats will be taken to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, where they’ll be cared for until they’re available for adoption.
“Although this rescue effort is different than our typical missions, we had no choice but to step up,” says Tara Lordi, CEO of Weedo Boats, a leading manufacturer of aquatic weed harvesters and workboats, according to a press release. “When Big Dog Ranch reached out to us, we knew we had to help.”
Led by Lordi, a Wellington resident, Weedoo Boats not only saves waterways but is no stranger to animal rescue. The company utilized its shallow draft workboats to provide aid during the hurricane aftermath in Orange, Texas, in 2017 and again in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 2018.
For more information on how to foster, adopt or donate to Big Dog Ranch Rescue, visit bdrr.org. For more information on Weedoo Boats, visit weedooboats.com