Have no fear little furry ones, you will not die today, for Batman is here to save you.
27-year-old Chris Van Dorn doubles as a superhero and saves animals from shelters, most of which are meant for euthanasia, and finds them loving homes.
Van Dorn volunteers at various animal rescue organizations around Orlando, Florida. He decided to combine his two passions and use a superhero suit to bring attention to the importance of pet adoption while setting up a charity to help transport the pets to forever homes.
Van Dorn wrote:
As a child, I looked up to the values that superheroes such as Batman reflected and thought that would be the perfect vessel to embody the spirit of goodwill. Thus, the crazy idea of Batman4Paws was born. I would help rescue animals in need anyway I can, all while dressed as the Dark Knight himself and becoming a symbol for helping those in need.
Not only has he used the suit as a conversation starter for why people should adopt shelter pets but initially, Van Dorn used the costume as a means of keeping all of his rescue missions anonymous. Although, his good deeds couldn’t hide his real identity for too long, as he was featured as an honorary GoFundMe Hero in May.
Van Dorn founded Batman4Paws, inspired not only by Batman but by having his own rescue dog, Mr. Boots (AKA Robin). Mr. Boots was taken to him via plane by another non-profit called Pilots n Paws (PNP).
In 2014 Dorn’s father decided to adopt a rescue dog. After searching the internet he found an unusual, wide-eyed, happy, Australian Shepherd with quite the back-story.
The dog was found wandering around the woods in Alabama emaciated and covered in fleas and ticks. Thanks to the help of pilot Jeff Bennett, Dog Liberator, and PNP, who organized and facilitated the transportation and rescue, this scruffy-looking pooch was delivered safely home.
In 2018 Van Dorn launched his nonprofit Batman4Paws. Since then, he has embarked on dozens of journeys across the US to rescue animals from euthanasia and bring them to loving homes to be adopted.
People are so impressed with Batman’s good deeds that they’ve been donating. So far, he has raised about $35,182 of his $40,000 goal. This money has financed Van Dorn’s rescue missions. Now he hopes that he will be able to find a compassionate citizen to donate a bigger van so he can replace his current Batmobile – a Honda Accord – and transport even more animals on his rescue missions.
Van Dorn said:
When I was first starting out, I was keeping everything really anonymous. I would sign everything ‘Bruce Wayne’ and not put my real name out there … My catchphrase is, ‘It’s not who I am underneath but what I do that defines me’ and I still hold that true today.
People write to him via email, phone, and social media for animals to adopt. “Once a transport day is set and the furry friend has all their paperwork, he picks up the animal in need and brings it to safety,” his official Batman4Paws site explains. He takes the animals to their homes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
Additionally, since he recently got his sidekick Mr. Boots licensed as a therapy dog, the two have been making plenty of guest appearances as Batman and Robin at various hospitals around Florida, events for adoption, and animal shelter fundraisers.
Van Dorn said:
I would say I’m just the middleman, the real heroes are the people giving these dogs a good, loving home.
If you would like to learn more about Van Dorn’s mission or how to make a donation, you can visit the Batman4Paws website.
