It all started when Debi Boies, who lived in South Carolina, fell in love with a dog named Brock, who was living in a Florida shelter dreaming of a forever home.
A pilot friend of Debi’s offered to fly Brock from the Florida shelter to Debi’s South Carolina home. Thanks to Brock, a volunteer pilot, and Debi’s big idea, thousands of animals have flown to safety, love, and forever homes by generous volunteer pilots.
Since 2008, Debi, founder and president of Pilots N Paws, and an all-volunteer group have made a difference in the lives of over 200,000 innocent animals. The mission of Pilots N Paws is to “provide a user-friendly website communication venue between those that rescue, shelter, and foster animals and pilots and plane owners willing to assist with the transportation of these animals.”
As it turns out, there are pilots who are always looking for an excuse to fly! Volunteer pilots coordinate with rescue workers to fly abandoned pets, animals at risk of euthanasia, military working dogs, service dogs, and dogs who have been adopted by soldiers from war zones to safe havens and forever homes.
There are no scheduled flights or fees. Instead, pilots and animal rescuers work together directly using the Pilots N Paws discussion board where volunteers are able to exchange information regarding animal transports, coordinate and schedule transports, share rescue stories, and recruit volunteers. Participants also develop friendships and relationships as they all work toward a common goal - to save the lives of innocent animals.
Take a look at the Pilots N Paws Facebook pages to read some incredible rescue stories (and see some sweet photos) including an inspirational post about Maverick who needed a new home after his South Carolina foster family was involved in a car accident. A volunteer pilot flew Maverick from SC to Virginia Beach, where his new foster family was waiting for him.
If you are a pilot or are involved in animal rescue and would start arranging animal transports, Pilots N Paws would love to welcome you to their team. Please consider joining 4Knines in supporting the mission of Pilots N Paws with a donation or by shopping in their store.
