Pilots N Paws is a national nonprofit program that gives animals a second chance one flight at a time. This unique program brings together planes, pilots and shelters to rescue and transport dogs, cats and other animals from overcrowded shelters, relocating them to organizations committed to finding them homes.

The weekend of April 27, pilots and other volunteers will participate in the Pilots N Paws Pacific Coast Flyway, aimed at relocating animals from high-kill shelters in the Los Angeles area, to shelters and fosters in Seattle and Portland. The event will commence with pilots flying animals north out of Long Beach Airport to meeting points where more pilots will be waiting to fly the next portion of the transport. Several relays will take place in order for the animals to make it to their final destination. Once again our wonderful sponsors, Subaru and Petmate, are teaming up with our pilot volunteers by sponsoring this event and making it possible for us to fly these animals to safety.

PNP Pacific Flyway Chief Coordinating Pilot

To donate toward the efforts of this flyway, please visit this link: https://pilotsnpaws.org/donate/

According to the Humane Society, 4 million cats and dogs—about one every eight seconds—are euthanized in shelters 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 then make space for the animals being rescued. The sending and receiving pair team up with a volunteer pilot, who provides transportation.

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.

Pilots N Paws is a 501(c)(3) organization, so pilots’ expenses relating to transport flights are tax-deductible. Over 3,300 pilots fly for Pilots N Paws, which allows the program to serve as 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 Pacific Coast Flyway, visitwww.pilotsnpaws.org. To learn more about other ways general aviation pilots help every day, visit GA Serves America. Petmate and Subaru are proud sponsors of Pilots N Paws and thePilots N Paws Pacific Coast Flyway.