Air travel often brings together strangers, fleeting moments, and chance encounters — but rarely does it change the course of a life. For Captain Matt Prebish, a Southwest Airlines pilot, what started as a humanitarian flight to evacuate animals from Florida ahead of Hurricane Milton turned into a journey he would never forget. Onboard that flight, filled with rescued cats and dogs, he met a little kitten named Avery. By the time they landed, he knew he couldn’t let her go.
A Rescue Flight Like No Other
In October 2024, as Hurricane Milton threatened Florida’s coast, animal welfare groups mobilized quickly to protect the most vulnerable. Lucky Dog Animal Rescue, in partnership with Greater Good Charities, worked tirelessly to relocate pets from overcrowded shelters in the storm zone to safer facilities.
This time, their mission was extraordinary: with help from Southwest Airlines, they arranged to fly 145 cats and dogs from Florida to Milwaukee. Unlike most animal transports, these animals weren’t placed in cargo. Instead, they were flown inside the cabin, surrounded by volunteers, shelter staff, and airline employees who gave them reassurance during the stressful journey.
“It was truly a magical experience,” said Mirah Horowitz, CEO of Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. “The animals [got to] ride in the cabin. Everyone could see them, cuddle them, and share in the joy of giving them a second chance.”
The flight became a heartwarming spectacle — wagging tails and tiny meows filled the air, turning the cabin into an airborne rescue haven.
A Pilot Meets His Match
As the Southwest crew interacted with their furry passengers, many formed temporary bonds. But for Captain Prebish, the connection went far deeper. Among the dozens of cats aboard, one small kitten stood out.
Her name was Avery. Playful, curious, and full of life, Avery charmed everyone she met. But it was the pilot who found himself most enchanted.
“I admired her excitement [about] the world and her energy,” Prebish later shared in a Southwest press release.
In the middle of coordinating a rescue flight, Captain Prebish found himself experiencing something entirely unexpected — the spark of a lifelong bond.
A Decision at 30,000 Feet
As the flight continued north, Prebish kept returning to Avery. She wasn’t just another kitten to him — there was something about her spirit that felt meant to be.
By the time the plane touched down in Milwaukee, the pilot knew he couldn’t simply walk away. But could he really make such a sudden decision?
It turned out his wife already suspected this might happen.
“My wife said she knew that when I accepted this trip that I would probably come home with some animal,” Prebish admitted with a laugh.
When the plane landed, a brief delay forced passengers and crew to remain onboard for 20 minutes due to a storm at the airport. That pause gave Prebish the perfect window. He pulled out his phone and called his wife, asking how she would feel about him adopting Avery. Her answer was simple: yes.
With her blessing, Prebish and the shelter staff scrambled to make the adoption official — right there on the plane.
“It definitely wasn’t anticipated,” said Horowitz. “There was a little bit of a mad scramble to get the paperwork done for an adoption.”
A New Chapter for Avery
By the end of that day, Avery was no longer just a passenger on a rescue flight. She was a cherished member of Captain Prebish’s family.
The pair flew together back to Denver, where Avery would settle into her forever home. The once-homeless kitten who had boarded the plane as cargo in a lifesaving mission now had a family waiting with open arms.
For Prebish, the adoption was more than just bringing home a new pet. It was a moment that blended his love of aviation, service, and compassion into one unforgettable memory.
“I’m honored and glad that we could make a difference,” he said. “And hopefully these animals will find their forever homes and make a bunch of people very happy.”
More Than One Happy Ending
While Avery’s adoption stole the spotlight, the flight itself changed the future for all 145 animals onboard. By relocating them to Milwaukee, shelters in Florida suddenly had space to take in local dogs and cats displaced or injured by the hurricane. Every adoption, every transport, meant more lives saved.
The mission also highlighted the power of partnerships between nonprofits, airlines, and everyday people. From the volunteers who carried kennels, to the flight crew who offered water and cuddles, to the pilot who took one kitten home, every person played a role in ensuring the animals had a chance at life beyond survival.
Today, Avery is thriving in Denver, enjoying the warmth of her new home and the love of a family who adores her. For Captain Prebish, she’s a daily reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen when you least expect them.
What began as a mission to save lives before a storm became a love story between a pilot and a kitten who simply needed a home. And in the skies between Florida and Milwaukee, Avery found hers.
