Guidelines for Rescues
It is important to be selective about asking pilots for transport. Here are some guidelines that hopefully will help you answer the question “Should I ask a pilot, or not?”
****EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ******
IN YOUR SUBJECT LINE ON THE FORUM, PLEASE LIST THE CITY, STATE AND ZIP CODE OF THE LOCATION OF THE ANIMAL AND THE DESTINATION. BY DOING THIS, IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE PILOTS TO SCROLL DOWN THE RIDE BOARD AND FIND AN AREA THEY CAN HELP WITH. THE ZIP CODE WILL ALSO HELP WHEN LOOKING FOR AN APPROPRIATE AIRPORT.
1. Is the animal capable of tolerating ground transport? If so, that would be the preferred method of transport, so please save the potential flight with a pilot for an animal who will have a difficult time traveling and being transported from vehicle to vehicle.
2. Is the animal a special needs case? This would include medical, senior age, amputee, etc. Please list the weight, size and breed of each animal you are asking to be transported. This is important for pilots to know. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THE ANIMALS ARE FREE OF TICKS AND FLEAS.
3. When requesting a rescue flight you should consider the distance to be flown in relation to the pilot volunteers aircraft type. Generally speaking most pilots will transport an animal a distance of 250 nautical miles (300 statute miles) in one direction. Some pilots will agree to flights beyond this distance. The flying time involved depends on the type of plane. Anything beyond the 250 nautical mile point one direction would likely have to be coordinated with a second pilot and plane. This is not impossible to arrange, but can be difficult due to a number of factors including varying weather conditions in different areas.
4. Please allow at least a two-day lead time for the requested day of flight. Planes need to be maintained and the weather is always a determining factor. Have a back-up plan ready for any delays. It is also recommended that you do not feed the animal being transported the morning of the flight. Water is fine, feeding can take place on the receiving end.
5. Communication and promptness is paramount. It is important for rescues to be waiting for the pilot on each end of the transport and please name the sending and receiving rescues in your message request.
6. Please have the necessary paperwork that is accompanying the animal and supply a suitable collar and leash An ID collar should be on your animal with sending and receiving parties and contact information listed. No bandanas, coats, or sweaters please! A rabies certificate and a health certificate are mandatory.
CLICK HERE TO SEE STATE REQUIREMENTS.
7. IMPORTANT! Once your animal has been transported, either by ground or by air, please sign in and edit your request to show that it has been completed. Do this by clicking the pencil icon, which is to the left of the ‘x’ icon. Once you are in edit mode, change the topic icon so that the green done square is selected and then click submit to save this change so that it will be moved over to the “Done, Transport Completed” forum. This is vital to keeping the forum organized so that the other requests that have not yet been completed will be visible and those animals will also have a chance to be saved. Keeping us up to date is ensures that others do not waste valuable time responding to a need that has already been met.
8. Ultimately, it is always the pilot and rescue agents’ choice to make the flight. This should be a rewarding endeavor for all parties involved in giving a second chance to an animal in need.
DISCLAIMER: The views and comments entered in these forums are personal and are not those of Pilots N Paws. Rescue flights are the responsibility of the sending and receiving parties and pilots. Pilots N Paws is only an electronic meeting place for those seeking to make arrangements for rescue flights. Pilots N Paws does not arrange for rescue flights, coordinate transports and/or rescue animals. Pilots volunteer their time and aircraft to the sending and receiving parties, not to Pilots N Paws. Pilots N Paws is not responsible or liable for the conduct of any pilots or flights. Compliance with applicable law and the conduct of flights are the responsibility and liability of the sending and receiving parties and pilots.
