Here’s to hoping you’re not afraid of the onion-cutting ninja, because this is one of those stories. A van carrying more than 50 rescue pets, cats and dogs, from several shelters from South Carolina broke down, just as Hurricane Florence was about to hit mainland.
The van belonged to Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in Arlington, Virginia. It had traveled to South Carolina and loaded about 50 pets, and was on its way to Washington D.C., where volunteers had lined up foster parents for every one of them.
About 90 minutes into the 6-hour drive, the van’s alternator broke down. The driver barely had time to make it to a gas station before the van stopped working altogether. The driver, the volunteers and the animals were stranded: they couldn’t go back because the storm was coming and they no longer had any means of making it to their destination. What’s worse, they had no water, no food and no air-conditioning in the scorching weather.
A call was put out on social media, asking for help. In what can best be described as a “faith in humanity restored” kind of moment, 55 people responded: they came with their cars and let the pets inside, with the AC on. They brought water and food, and they also brought mechanics to look at the broken-down van.
Looney’s K9 Rescue Transport, another shelter, also picked up on the distress call and came with another van, which took all animals and carried them to their future homes.
The 55 volunteers who helped take care of the animals while the replacement van was on the way also promised to pay for the broken alternator. They’re also campaigning to raise money to buy a new one, so the shelter can carry out more rescue missions like this one.
We did tell you this would restore your faith in humanity, if only temporarily.
Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends. Full profile
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