Pilots N Paws Coming Up in September

I received this press release from my Twitter friend Nicole Lasorda and thought it was interesting and worth sharing… take a glance. It’s amazing the lengths people will go to to rescue animals… It warms my heart every day to hear about stuff like this.

World’s Largest Airlift of Homeless Pets Scheduled
Pilots N Paws to transport 5,000 U.S. shelter animals in September

Pilots N Paws, an online forum that connects animal rescue groups and volunteer pilots, is launching the Pilots N Paws 5000, the largest pet airlift ever. From September 12 to 20, Pilots N Paws volunteers will attempt something that’s never been done — transport 5,000 homeless animals in a single week.
 
“The goal of the Pilots N Paws 5000 is to increase awareness about different ways people can help animals in need, whether it’s by providing air transportation, becoming a foster home or general volunteering,” says Jon Wehrenberg, co-founder of Pilots N Paws. “It’s a unique way for people to donate their time and talent to a very worthy cause.”
 
According to the National Council on Pet Population, 9.6 million shelter animals are needlessly euthanized each year. The aim of Pilots N Paws is to decrease this number by connecting shelters and rescue groups with pilots willing to transport animals to safe homes.
 
With the help of the Pilots N Paws website, rescuers and foster homes in high kill areas are able to locate their counterparts in areas of the country where high kill rates are not the rule. These no-kill shelters will then make space for the animals being rescued. The sending and receiving pair will team up with a volunteer pilot, who will provide transportation during this special rescue week.
 
To make this life-saving, heart-warming event a success, many more volunteers are needed. Opportunities include:
- Pilots – Register online to fly pets from shelters to their foster or forever homes.
- Short- and long-term foster homes – Take care of pets, ranging from overnight stays en route to extended periods, while adopters are found.
- General volunteers – Local shelters always need help walking dogs, cleaning cages and filing paperwork.
 
In addition to volunteer roles, there are other ways to help:
- Spread the word – Tell your local animal shelter about Pilots N Paws. If there’s a small airport nearby, ask the manager to let its pilots know about the event.
- Donate – Pilots N Paws, rescue groups and shelter donations are usually tax-deductible.
- Adopt – Consider taking one of the rescued pets into your own home.

“I’m afraid thousands of pets will die if we don’t get them to new homes,” says Wehrenberg. “I’m hoping we’ll get the help to make this event a tremendous success.”
 
Pilots N Paws is a 501(c)(3) organization, so pilots’ expenses relating to transport flights are tax-deductible. Pilots N Paws is an excellent example of the critical role general aviation plays in our everyday lives. For more information, or to help out with the Pilots N Paws 5000, visit www.pilotsnpaws.org. And to learn more about other ways general aviation affects everyday life, visit www.gaservesamerica.com.