Sali Gear thought she had time to plan the largest animal rescue mission she’s ever taken on.

The Virginia Beach resident co-owns Island Dog Rescue, a local nonprofit that specializes in saving dogs from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where she grew up.

After Hurricane Irma devastated St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, she planned to fly about 20 animals to the continental U.S. each day over a week.

Then Hurricane Maria threatened the Caribbean islands – and her plans.

Gear had two days to come up with a way to fly 300 animals to the area so they could go to her farm in Virginia Beach.

Her solution? Charter a plane – fast.

Read the full article at Pilot Online

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Mechelle Hankerson is a Virginia Beach native who covers the southern part of the city, public works and housing.