Register

Rescue a Pet, Build the Connection

Pilots help furry friends while building flight experience.

[Courtesy: Pilots N Paws]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Pilots N Paws is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that connects general aviation pilots with animal rescues to transport thousands of dogs, cats, and other animals from shelters or disaster areas to foster or adoptive homes annually, with pilots covering their own flight costs.
  • Wings of Rescue is another nonprofit conducting larger-scale animal transports and humanitarian aid deliveries, utilizing bigger, often chartered aircraft to move up to 100 animals at a time, particularly from disaster zones, and covers operational expenses.
  • Both organizations exemplify the strong connection between aviators and animal welfare, leveraging aviation for critical rescue missions and providing meaningful opportunities for pilots to contribute their skills.
See a mistake? Contact us.

There’s a connection between aviators and animals. You have probably been to an FBO that has a resident dog or cat on the premises. These animals often have aviation-related names like Piper or METAR——and are very often rescues from a local shelter. Animal rescue is a cause that many pilots can and do support. If it has fur, fins, or feathers, there is probably a volunteer pilot organization dedicated to its transport.

Pilots N Paws

The group Pilots N Paws is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and one of the most active volunteer animal transport groups in the U.S. The website forms a digital meeting place for volunteers who are “engaged in the valuable services of rescuing, sheltering and adopting animals, and volunteer pilots and plane owners willing to assist with animal transportation.”

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE