Did you know in the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Matthew McConaughey helped rescue over 80 pets? The unexpected rescue mission ended up saving around 50 dogs, 18 cats, and two hamsters via boat and helicopter to reunite them with their owners!
After seeing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, Matthew McConaughey was looking for ways he could help. His publicist got in touch with the Oprah Show and found out they were looking for people who wanted to get “down and dirty” …And McConaughey was down. Then without a fixed plan, Oprah sent McConaughey and a crew to Baton Rouge to help the community and document the experience.
McConaughey and his crew met with survivors and assisted in any way they could, such as helping them get in touch with family members.
They also documented the destruction, as well as stories of survival and perseverance.
Then the crew caught wind of Dr. James, an incredibly brave anesthesiologist who promised to care for peoples’ pets they tragically had to abandon or couldn’t take with them. He was held up in a hospital with at least 80 pets in the middle of New Orleans. A helicopter tried to rescue him but crash-landed (luckily with no one injured). But Dr. James was now seven days without food or water, so time was running out for him and his giant fur family…
Then McConaughey and his crew took the risk and managed to safely land a helicopter on the hospital roof and rescue Dr. James. And they were able to help the good doctor keep his promise!
First they loaded the pets onto boats and ferried them down still-flooded streets.
Then they arrived at a makeshift landing strip, where they were able to chopper out about 50 dogs, 18 cats, and two hamsters with the hopes of reuniting them with their families!
You can also find out more about McConaughey’s history of rescue pets.