"In those moments following 9/11, when the city was in shambles, if someone's cherished pet was trapped on the 50th floor, we walked those steps, unwavering," reminisced the Oscar-adorned Hilary Swank. She looked back fondly at the time when she stepped up to aid in rescuing beloved animals in the aftermath of the devastating event. The actress, renowned for her compassion towards animals, recalled her volunteer service with the ASPCA during the 2001 tragedy.
"People would gather at the piers along West Street, their voices quivering as they described their lost Simpson, their goldfish, or their rabbit. They would share their addresses, their apartments, and I would take those details, cards in hand, and we would march on," Swank recounted during her appearance on SiriusXM's 'Literally! With Rob Lowe' podcast.
The 'Million Dollar Baby' star told Lowe that despite the numerous challenges they faced—elevators out of service, technology nonexistent, and the precarious stability of the buildings—nothing deterred them from their mission to save those animals. "Unmindful of the height, we scaled those floors, retrieving cats, turtles, fish, and numerous dogs. Even a pair of hamsters found their way back to safety," she said.
Swank continued, "Those apartment buildings, with windows shattered, were a testament to the trauma these animals endured, some for days, some for weeks. But it was more than just a rescue mission; it was a reunion of lost souls."
The host recalled a specific rescue story Swank had shared, involving a frightened cat. "It was a sight to behold," said the actress from 'Ordinary Angels'. "The cat was panicking, missing its owner. Who knows how long it had been without food? The windows were blown out, the air was smoky and dusty, and every inch was fraught with danger. The cat kept escaping from the blanket, but we finally devised a way to wrap it in a pillowcase, ensuring it could still breathe. We brought it safely back to its owners."
Swank emphasized that though she had volunteered with the ASPCA before 9/11, the experience of reuniting those pets with their families holds a special place in her heart. "The joy of reuniting those animals with their owners was indescribable. Their happiness was our reward," she added.
