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Pilots N Paws

WTSP – Hundreds of Rescued Dogs Flown to Safety

Operation Special Delivery was a huge success with literally hundreds of volunteers both pilots and rescues came together in Hinesville, GA and surrounding areas and states to change the lives of over 400 animals. Danica Lawrence covered the story for WTSP 10 News Tampa Bay in “Hundreds of Rescued Dogs Flown to Safety” posted on October 6, 2013.

St. Petersburg, Florida — The Tampa Bay sky was filled with small planes carrying rescued dogs. Dozens of animal loving volunteers saved hundreds of dogs on Saturday morning.

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Four hundred dogs were saved from a high kill shelter in Hinesville, Ga. and flown or driven to one of five states: Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, and Washington DC.

A non-profit organization, Pilots N Paws, coordinated a rescue effort to save the animals from being euthanized and find them a loving homes.

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“We flew up from Miami to help,” said Patrick Whiteside.

Whiteside flew next to his father, a pilot who has been involved with Pilots N Paws for two years. This was their first big delivery at Tampa Executive Airport.

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“It is supposed to be the biggest pet delivery ever for Pilots N paws,” said Whiteside.

Whiteside’s dad, Eric Whiteside, is just one of 50 pilots donating their time and fuel to fly from all over the area to pick up the dogs in Hinesville and fly to cities like Tampa with no-kill facilities.

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“It’s an extra expense, but just look at how cute these guys all are!” said Eric Whiteside. “They are worth it!”

The dogs were driven by volunteers from the Tampa Humane Society and Suncoast Animal League to their locations to be spayed and neutered, then adopted.

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If you want to adopt one of them please visit these websites:

https://humanesocietytampa.org/

https://www.suncoastanimalleague.org/

One thought on “WTSP – Hundreds of Rescued Dogs Flown to Safety”

  1. Laurel says:

    All of you are such wonderful angels ! thank you so much !! God bless you and the dogs !

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