Not all heroes wear cap… Oh, well this one does! His name is Chris Van Dorn. He is a 27-year-old man, who operates around the Orlando area, in Florida. He dresses up, like Batman, and fights for those who don’t have a voice of their own. For animals, abandoned in shelters.
In the beginning, our caped crusader used the superhero outfit, in order to keep his operations, anonymous. But since then, he has come to the spotlight, with GoFundMe, announcing him as their “Hero” just a few months back.
Mr.Van Dorn is obviously an animal lover, his batmobile is but a simple Honda Accord, and has launched a non-profit organization, Batman4Paws.
“Batman4Paws is here to help empty the cages!” As found in batman4paws.org. “Batman’s mission was born out of having his own rescue dog Mr.Boots (A.K.A. Robin) transported to him via plane by an awesome nonprofit called PilotsnPaws. Mr.Boots touched Batmans life in such a way that he felt compelled to want to give other people the chance to have their own lives changed by a special pet. Yes that’s you!
After Batman visited multiple shelters and talked with other rescues in the area he saw the need for not only adopters, fosters, and volunteers but also transporters to get these awesome animals to good homes. That’s where Batman felt he could make an impact and lend a hand. As Batman4Paws has grown he’s added the adoption page to try and help people who reach out to him. Pets here are in need of safe loving forever homes and Batman may just be the one to deliver him or her to your door!”
“As a child,” Chris writes on his GoFundMe page “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 any way I can, all while dressed as the Dark Knight himself and becoming a symbol for helping those in need,”
Our real-life batman, operates usually, within a 500-mile radius of his own home (not Wayne Manor) in Orlando Florida.
He hopes somebody charitable, will donate a van for his animal transportations. And even one day, to use air travel to more efficiently transport his rescued animals.
“Founded in 2018, Batman4Paws is determined to offer trustworthy pet rescue services in Florida and the southeast. Batman4Paws strives to embody Batman’s principles during pet rescue activities. As a certified 501 (c)3 nonprofit Batman4Paws uses funds donated to him for gas and animal welfare expenses. Batman also uses his own personal Batmobile to get his fur friends to where they need to go (and no it’s not an actual Batmobile, but maybe one day!). He can currently take about 4 animals at a time but is looking to soon expand into a bigger more comfortable vehicle soon so stay tuned to the latest Batman4Paws news here!
Mr.Boots rescue story really inspired Batman and seeing the harsh depressing reality that shelter pets have to go through everyday, often times being put down at no fault of their own, are what motivate him to want to do his best to find cats, dogs, and other animals furever homes. Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can to be the change!”
Image credits: batman4paws
