'Pilots N Paws': Animal Rescue by Small Aircraft
Pilots and Animal Lovers Get Together to Arrange Pet Transport
Animals in need of new homes frequently have to travel. For instance, they may need to go to a shelter or foster home, or a suitable new home may be available, but is hundreds or even thousands of miles away. What can the animal rescue organizations do?
Private pilots fly for fun and recreation. Many of them are happy to travel quite a distance, but would prefer to do so for some useful purpose rather than aimlessly "boring holes in the sky" as many of them put it.
Wouldn't it be great if the two groups of people could get together? Enter…Pilot’s N Paws.
The Purpose of Pilots N Paws
Pilots N Paws is intended as a meeting place for those who rescue, shelter, or foster needy animals, and pilots or plane owners willing to assist with their transportation. Through its discussion boards or forums those involved can exchange information, and arrange to meet and transport dogs, cats, rabbits, or any other animals needing to be moved across the country.
Pilots N Paws itself does not get involved in the actual rescue of any animals. All rescue flights are arranged between the people involved on an individual basis.
What Type of Pilots Get Involved in Animal Rescue?
Many pilots are also animal lovers, and perceive this as a way of using their hobby to help animals in need. One of those volunteering on Pilots N Paws wrote: “I fly a Cessna 182…I can handle small to medium sized dogs, but could not fit the crate that would accommodate a larger dog. I’d be available most weekends with a little notice.”
Others commented that it was a great excuse to get in some more flying. In some cases Pilots N Paws can become an occupation for the whole family… “I couldn’t wait to sign up. I enjoy volunteering with local rescue groups and my husband enjoys flying. There’s nothing better than putting the two together!”
What Animals are Transported?
The ‘Animals Needing Transport’ section of the website has a wide variety of pets needing aerial lifts. Dogs predominate, and the following post about an elderly dog was fairly typical: “This poor old chow has seen better days. He is sitting at the City of San Diego shelter waiting for a ride to Smiling Dog Sanctuary in Wharton, TX”. How fantastic to be able to transport this canine senior citizen to his ‘old folks home’ in hours rather than days!
But dogs and much loved pets are not the only animals which pilots fly. Another post describes a group of 18 rabbits which were seized by animals control in California. A rabbit rescue group had stepped in to facilitate adoptions, and five had been offered a home in Arizona. What a great opportunity for pilots to help out!
Pilots N Paws sounds like a wonderful opportunity for those who love to fly and those who want to help animals to collaborate for the benefit of all. The success stories on the site prove that it works. The author of this article would volunteer immediately…if only she lived on the right side of the Atlantic Ocean!
Those involved in animal rescue might also enjoy Rehoming a Rescue Cat
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