As an animal rescue based in the Caribbean, we are one of many rescue organizations strongly impacted by Westjet’s sudden change in policy. We rescue animals from life threatening situations, rehabilitate them and fly them to their forever homes in Canada and give them a second chance at life via passengers flying with West Jet, who CAN add the kennel reservation to their flight and escort dogs back to Canada.

Today one of our friends shared with us news that West Jet will no longer accept reservations to check animals on as carry-on or checked baggage and that all commercial rescue dogs must fly cargo due to new regulations set forth by the Canadian Border Services Agency

West Jet has no cargo facility in Saint Lucia, and not many Caribbean islands do so that means not only hundreds of our animals who fly this way will no longer be able to fly, but hundreds of animals from rescues around the world who fly with passengers will no longer be able to send animals. Without the ability to send these rescue animals to North America, it means that we will have to significantly reduce the number of animals we take in, and intrinsic reduce the number of animals we adopt out.

Plenty of innocent lives are at risk, not only in Saint Lucia but around the world. We can say with confidence that our rescue efforts will suffer beyond measure. 

Although WestJet states this is a rule being enforced by Canada Border Services Agency, we have done our own research by speaking with mulitple CBSA officers, including the on staff vet who does all of our commercial imports through the CBSA and they have said that nothing has changed on their end. Also, no other airline has been notified of these alleged changes to their policies. We received no notice, and the changes are said to take place immediately, meaning multiple bookings we had (even in just a few days) are cancelled.
We NEED answers and we need them fast. Please help us share this and let Westjet know THIS IS NOT RIGHT