Can you get Coco to Dallas?
Say hello to Jon and Natalie Alexis from Dallas. And say hello to Coco, soon to be named Jumbie, sitting between them.
Jon and Natalie are flying home tomorrow, and had planned on taking Coco with them, but Spirit Airlines says ‘no dogs allowed.’ So they’re looking for surrogate human escorts.
“American does allow dogs, but without a human companion it is $500 to $700 more,” says Jon. “We’ve always wanted an island dog and she is just awesome. We hope someone can help out.”
Coco has been at the shelter since early September, but the Animal Care Center knew who she was long before that. ACC says 11 of her puppies have come through the shelter and have been adopted. (That won’t happen anymore. Coco’s fixed now.)
ACC has also put out a plea on the American Airlines Website, but so far, no offers.
If you’re traveling to St. John from the Dallas area on American sometime in the near future and wouldn’t mind giving Coco, uh….Jumbie…a ride, let the ACC know. Call the shelter directly at 340-774-1625. Jon and Alexis will meet you at the airport.
And we want to hear about it.
January 18th, 2012 06:23
I worked at the ACC for a few years. I remember when someone first proposed the idea to promote “off island adoptions” and I thought to myself ..what? No way this is going to work. Don’t waste your time. To me, this idea seemed to be so silly and not practical AT ALL.. Who is going to come here on vacation and want to deal with the process and spend the money to get a dog or a cat home? Once the program was in place I was absolutely “BLOWN AWAY” at the number of animals that were being adopted “off island”! During my time there it seemed that more cats and dogs were finding homes off island than were being adopted locally! I really could not believe it. Seeing this post here today makes me so happy. I have confidence that “someone” “somewhere” “somehow” “someway” is going to be able and willing to help you get Junbie home. I just know it! I wish you the best of luck and I am looking forward to the blog post that tells us of your success. Thank you to everyone who supports the work of the ACC and thank you to Jon and Natalie. (absolute angels) Jumbie really does know what you are doing for her and she will never forget that. Another thanks to Elaine Campbell (correct me if I am wrong) for creating this “off island adoption program” People like you bring a renewed faith in humanity to me. [ by the way; I brought my dog home with me too and we flew American Airlines... They were very caring and helpful every step of the way]
January 18th, 2012 07:55
When we left island 8 years ago, we couldn’t get a flight out of St. Thomas that would take our dog, so we chartered a plane to San Juan and then took a Continental flight to the states. The charter really wasn’t that expensive back then, $500 for me, the wife and the dog. this was on Cape Air. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!
January 18th, 2012 08:11
I know someone will be heading back to Dallas and take Coco with them…..
January 18th, 2012 09:43
What about buying a one-way ticket from STT to Dallas. One of them flies home on their original Spirit ticket and the other flies home on American? Might be cheaper that way. Hope they are able to get Jumbie home quickly!
January 18th, 2012 18:13
Try calling the two fixed based operators (FBO) at the STT airport. This is where the private jets come and go. There has to be room on a private jet.
January 18th, 2012 21:20
If all else fails, I will be on island at the end of Feb, returning March 1st on AA to Dallas and will GLADLY escort Coco/Jumbie. ACC knows this. Wish I was coming sooner and could help- but if they need to hang on for about 40 more days, she has a ride. LOVE the ACC!
January 21st, 2012 15:07
I have friends who will be flying back to Dallas on January 29. They are dog lovers, so perhaps this would work out. I’ll check with them, as they get to St. John today.
January 21st, 2012 23:24
YEAH1!! I feel it, Jumbie/Coco is headed stateside to Texas………just in time for the superbowl…:)
January 22nd, 2012 13:20
I think she’s on her way soon… maybe tomorrow?? Yea!
January 23rd, 2012 12:11
coco/jumbie is on a plane to dallas right now. we can’t wait to pick her up today!!
January 23rd, 2012 12:31
i can’t believe so many people are following this story – she landed in miami, made her connection and will be picked up from airport at 2:30pm dallas time today.
we got her a bunch of toys and treats, so she’ll be welcomed with open arms.