WestJet Cargo has demonstrated its compassion for rescue animals by officially partnering with The Beagle Alliance as its preferred carrier. The Canadian nonprofit company is dedicated to rescuing animals from research facilities, and the most commonly used breed in laboratory testing happens to be the beagle. The Beagle Alliance saves former research animals who would otherwise face euthanasia, and helps them adjust to life in loving homes. Though the organization’s founder, Lori Cohen, was initially apprehensive about using air transport given the animals’ traumatic backgrounds, she changed her stance after a successful flight from Vancouver to Winnipeg, involving her own dog, Poppy. Thanks to WestJet Cargo’s experience in securely and comfortably transporting pets, Cohen also saw that air transport to be quicker and less stressful for the dogs than long road journeys.
As the organization’s official transport provider, WestJet Cargo leverages its expertise in pet travel to ensure rescued beagles are safely flown to their forever homes across Canada. The airline plans to help rehome 50 former research dogs in 2025 and will also support The Beagle Alliance by raising awareness and promoting its mission.
In the past three years, WestJet Cargo has so far transported eight beagles to new families in Canada, with the latest dog recently flying from Winnipeg to Vancouver. The initiative, driven by the motto “LAB to LOVE,” aims to give these dogs a fresh start in caring, permanent homes and WestJet Cargo, too, is committed to advancing animal welfare through this partnership.
Lori Cohen, Founder and Executive Director of The Beagle Alliance, stated: “Canada is a large country, and ground transport is simply not always feasible. When our first rescue, Poppy, was flown via WestJet Cargo, we realized that this was a reliable and compassionate option for our animals. It is both a blessing and an honor to work with WestJet Cargo in getting these beautiful dogs to their forever homes kindly and with the utmost care.”
Kirsten de Bruijn, Executive Vice President, Cargo, confirmed: “At WestJet Cargo, safety and care are at the core of everything we do. Our expertise in animal transportation has made us the trusted airline for pets. Working with The Beagle Alliance aligns perfectly with our values, and we are proud to play a role in giving these animals a new lease on life.”
