'Biggest day of our lives': Plane with hundreds of rescue animals from Afghanistan lands in Vancouver
A massive aircraft carrying nearly 300 dogs and cats rescued from Afghanistan touched down at Vancouver International Airport Tuesday night.
The converted Russian military jet landed just after 6 p.m., capping off a two-day journey.
The animals were left stranded after their owners fled the country following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.
Rescuers in in the country's capital city, Kabul, attempted to get them out, but were unsuccessful.
“The dogs were left on the tarmac to fend for themselves, it was the most horrifying experience in animal welfare, the whole world was watching," said Lori Kalef of SPCA International.
However, for the next six months, the SPCA and partners, including the Kabul Small Animal Rescue, banded together on a mission to evacuate the animals safely.
On Sunday night, their mission was finally accomplished. The animals were loaded up onto the 86-tonne aircraft and, after stops in Turkey and Iceland, they finally arrived at YVR.
"I can freely say for all of us this is probably one of the biggest days of our lives,” said the founder of Thank Dog I am out, Susan Patterson.
A large crowd gathered on the tarmac in anticipation of their arrival. Among them was an anxious cat owner, Gary Ash.
“It’s been building up for five months," he said.
While on deployment for the United States in Kabul, Ash made a new friend.
“One of the cats that worked in the camp basically adopted me,” Ash said.
After he departed, his cat “Tay Tay” was supposed to be held at the U.S. Embassy, but it never happened.
"It was heart wrenching, just knowing you had to leave your animals behind like that," he said.
He says he thought this day most likely wouldn’t come, but Wednesday, he’ll be taking Tay Tay back home to the United States.
“It's elating," Ash said.
Many of the animals will be re-united with their owners, while the rest will be kept at 17,000 square-foot, new renovated facility in the south terminal at YVR, and will soon be up for adoption.
"It will be the first step to the best part of their life ahead of them," Patterson said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.