- WestJet Cargo partnered with the Canadian Animal Assistance Team to deliver 191 kilograms of veterinary equipment from Vancouver to Pangnirtung, Nunavut, to support a volunteer mission that provided surgeries and animal care in a remote Arctic community
- The cargo team coordinated multiple flights with precision and care, ensuring vital medical supplies arrived on time and were returned safely after the mission.
- WestJet Cargo’s support reflects its commitment to connecting communities and empowering humanitarian efforts that improve animal welfare across Canada
In late August, WestJet Cargo partnered with the Canadian Animal Assistance Team (CAAT), a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving animal welfare in underserved communities, to provide logistical support for a recently completed volunteer veterinary mission in the remote Arctic community of Pangnirtung, Nunavut.
WestJet Cargo worked with CAAT’s volunteer veterinary team to transport 12 boxes of surgical instruments, saline and medical supplies from Vancouver to Ottawa (via Calgary), arriving on September 1. Working alongside airline partner Canadian North, WestJet Cargo carefully coordinated the 191 kg shipment to ensure a smooth final leg transportation to Pangnirtung. After several days of surgery, follow-up and animal care in the community, the equipment returned safely to Victoria on September 16 via WestJet.
CAAT’s “MASH” (Mobile Military Surgical Hospital) clinics bring fully-equipped temporary veterinary hospitals directly to communities where access to veterinary services is limited or unavailable. Beyond treatment, CAAT works alongside local leaders to create community animal welfare plans, which are long-term strategies that promote animal health and sustainable care.
“Every community deserves access to basic veterinary care – no matter how remote,” said Taylor Nadeau, cargo sales representative at WestJet Cargo. “These animals are family, workers, and part of the community. We are honored to help CAAT by transporting the specialized equipment that makes their work possible.”
Transporting vital medical supplies to remote areas requires precision, coordination and care – qualities that closely align with WestJet Cargo’s approach.
“CAAT volunteer teams have tight schedules, with flights and accommodation arranged according to the needs of the community,” Nadeau added.
“Any delay in the arrival of the shipment could impact the entire mission. We worked closely with Chris from CAAT to prioritize and monitor the shipment at every stage, ensuring it arrived exactly when needed.”
With its extensive domestic network and flexible narrowbody fleet, WestJet Cargo is well-equipped to handle time-sensitive shipments such as pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and veterinary supplies.
With WestJet Cargo managing the complex logistics behind the scenes, CAAT’s dedicated volunteers led the efforts on the ground – performing surgeries, performing follow-ups and building permanent animal care programs within the community.
“At WestJet Cargo, we are proud to support organizations like CAAT whose compassion and commitment reach places that few others can,” Nadeau said. “Helping them provide care where it is needed most reflects what we believe in – connecting communities in ways that matter.”
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