Dave Bautista openly admits that his four rescue pit bulls experience a level of travel comfort far beyond what most people encounter. The 57-year-old actor revealed during an interview with PEOPLE, alongside his The Wrecking Crew co-star Jason Momoa, that he spares no expense when it comes to flying his dogs between his homes in California and Florida. He said the most extravagant measure he’s taken for his pets is providing them with a private jet flight.
Referring to his dogs Ollie, Maggie, Penny, and Talulah, Bautista emphasized how his decision stems from genuine concern rather than indulgence.
“So I split my time between California and Florida now. And I think the most luxurious thing I’ve done for them is to get them a jet,”
he explained. Although he acknowledged the extravagance, he added,
“I know that sounds like … I feel so bougie saying that out loud, but I just like the thought.”
He further clarified that conventional travel options were not feasible. Ground travel would be too time-consuming, and commercial flights are simply not an option for his dogs’ wellbeing.
“And there’s no way I’m sticking my dogs beneath a plane. I would lose my mind stressing about it, and it would just make me sick,”
Bautista stated firmly.
Jason Momoa’s Approach to Pet Comfort
In contrast, Jason Momoa shared his own approach to pampering his dog, which is far more modest. He explained that allowing his aging dog to occasionally sleep in his bed is the biggest luxury he offers.
“He’s getting older, and I’m softening in my older age, so I might be letting him sleep in bed a little more,”
Momoa said. Bautista responded with a humorous take,
“I feel more like my dogs let me sleep in their bed.”
Dave Bautista’s Advocacy for Animal Welfare
Beyond providing comfort for his pets, Bautista has been a vocal advocate for animal welfare and rescue efforts. In 2021, he took a public stand after learning about a severely neglected puppy found scavenging trash with a metal chain embedded in its skin. Working closely with the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, the actor offered a $5,000 reward leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible.
Bautista emphasized the gravity of such cruelty in his public statements:
“To me, there’s nothing more innocent and pure than a puppy.”
He added,
“For someone who can abuse a puppy has got to be the lowest form of human being, pure evil, for someone who can abuse an animal like that. It makes me sick to my stomach.”
The Rescue Puppy’s New Life with Bautista
Fortunately, the story ended positively. The injured dog, initially named Sage, became a new member of Bautista’s family and was renamed Penny Bautista. Sharing the news in an Instagram video, he said,
“The good news is, the puppy you know as Sage actually became Penny Bautista. So I’d like to introduce you to the newest member of my family … healing up, nice, and recovered.”
He assured fans that Penny would no longer face abuse:
“She is now a Bautista and she will never be abused again a day in her life. She is about to live her best puppy life ever … and she has her forever home.”
Bautista continues to actively support the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, including funding professional photo sessions to increase shelter dogs’ chances of adoption by making them stand out online.
Current Projects and Ongoing Advocacy
Dave Bautista currently stars in The Wrecking Crew, which is available for streaming on Prime Video. His dedication to animal rescue and his unique efforts to provide for his dogs demonstrate his commitment to their well-being beyond standard expectations.
