Five dogs, rescued from the West Bank, are available for adoption in Cook County.
In total, 70 dogs made the long journey from the West Bank to Tel Aviv, a connection in Belgium and on to New York’s JFK airport. Eventually, eight dogs landed at Gary International Airport where they were then transported to suburban Lombard.
“It’s such an emotional feeling when the plane lands. You just know they’re safe and you’re happy they’re there,” said Magnificent Mutts volunteer and foster carer Cali Havelka-Vanderplow .
The dogs lived in an outdoor sanctuary in the West Bank before the October 7 Hamas attack. As tensions escalated, their Palestinian-American guardian, faced with his own uncertainty, knew they would not survive.
He contacted global animal welfare organization SPCA International (SPCAI) for help.
“We actually had to rent a truck in the Palestinian area and then transport each dog by hand to the checkpoint to the Israel area,” said Lori Kalef, SPCAI programs director.
“It was a very, very complex project.”
“It took until the very last second, until this flight was in the air and leaving Israeli airspace, that we knew this was going to happen,” Kalef said.
Since 2008, SPCAI has been saving animals from conflict zones around the world. Magnificent Mutts is a long-time partner that typically helps reunited U.S. military personnel with cats and dogs.
When this opportunity to help presented itself, the nonprofit rescue group didn’t hesitate.
“These dogs came from such a sad situation and we are so lucky to be able to be a part of their story by bringing them this hope and this second chance,” Havelka-Vanderplow said.
Volunteers say Asim, Clone, Goda, Sara and Snout will need patience to adjust to their new home and learn trust around new people.
NBC Chicago
