One week to fly 5,000 dogs from high-kill shelters to new homes is one worthy goal.
During the week of Sept. 12-20, 2009, Pilots N Paws, which is an online forum for animal rescue groups and pilots to coordinate animal transports around the country, has set that goal.
"The goal of The Pilots N Paws 5000 is to increase awareness among pilots and aircraft owners across the country of the dire need for animal transports," says Jon Wehrenberg, co-founder of Pilots N Paws. "Pilot's involvement can help to save thousands of animals from euthanasia. We are committed to increasing the number of pilots and plane owners involved in Pilots N Paws so that no request for transport goes unanswered."
If a shelter or rescue is from an area that has high rates of euthanasia, Pilots N Paws (PNP) would like that shelter or rescue to pencil in the week of Sept. 12-20, and commit to making an animal or multiple animals available to an animal shelter or rescue in an area where these animals can be placed in forever homes.
Rescues and fosters will need to locate their counterparts in areas of the country where high kill rates are not the rule, and have them find fosters and make space available for the animals that will be rescued.
Ideally the distance between the sending and receiving parties should be approximately 300 miles, which is an average distance for general aviation pilots.
The sending and receiving pair will then team up with a pilot volunteer who will provide the transportation during this special rescue week. The process is made easy through the use of the PNP site which is designed to bring the parties together and facilitate the making of all necessary transport arrangements.
Pilots, plane owners, animal rescues and shelters are currently being sought out to be a part of this important countrywide humanitarian event in September.
Pilots N Paws is a 501c3 organization so pilots expenses relating to transports is tax deductible.
For more information on PNP, visit www.pilotsnpaws.org.
Guidelines about the The Pilots N Paws 5000 are listed on the PNPWeb site. Contact Debi Boies at pilotsnpaws@gmail.com.
Photos depict a successful Pilots N Paws rescue.
