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Pilots N Paws

Pilots N Paws Gulf Coast Rescue Flyway, 171 lives saved in one day!

On September 18, 2010, literally hundreds of volunteers both pilots and rescues came together in New Orleans to change the lives of 171 animals.  With 22 planes on the ground at the New Orleans Lakefront airport, we were able to fill the planes and send these adoptable dogs on their way to find a new family to love.  Many of them already have!

It was a perfect day, the kind of day that will linger in your memory forever.  Thank you to the pilots who spent the day working together– determined to connect with other pilots who were waiting for them in Marianna, FL, Clemson, S.C., Knoxville, TN and Morgantown, WV.  The pups headed to rescue groups in Caldwell, NJ had the longest day with three groups of pilots and volunteers flying, then walking and watering them as their journey progressed.    The pilots connecting in Clemson, S.C. had 31 dogs arriving who were greeted by a group of volunteers ready to offer them a hug and some water.  Many of the 79 dogs who were headed to various locations in Florida transferred to a group of pilots in Marianna, anxious to fly them on the final leg of their transport.  Two of our pilots made their way to Memphis and one of those two then traveled on to Iowas delivering his precious cargo.  One more pilot and co-pilot  flew to Missouri with four darling dogs on board. All in all 54 planes were involved.

Subaru, our loyal partner, made sure that transportation was available from the FBO to the hotel and back along with providing our hotel rooms and catering breakfast for us all the morning of the transport.  As you will see in the photos, Petmate who has been standing beside us for a long time now, provided all the crates for our pilots to use, just as they do all year long.   We are extremely fortunate to have two companies partner beside us because they care about the lives of animals in need.  THANK YOU BOTH!

AeroPremier Jet Center at Lakefront Airport in New Orleans is just that, PREMIER!  They welcomed us with generous hearts, provided a ramp specific for this transport, fuel discounts, mechanics if needed, and a wonderful cookout Friday evening for our pilots.  They worked diligently to make sure this event was efficient and successful. Thank you to Rolando and crew!

The rescues and shelters in Louisiana,  worked tirelessly for weeks preparing all these adorable dogs for transport.  It was a bittersweet day for them as they said goodbye to each pup but they did so knowing that they saved that life and made room to save yet another dog in need.  Thank you to the sending groups!!

PAWS, friends of Placquemine Parish

Jefferson Parish Shelter East

Jefferson Parish Shelter West

Don’t Cruel Sanctuary, Albany, LA

Tangipahoa Parish Animcal Control Shelter, Hammond LA

East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control Shelter, Baton Rouge, LA

Northside Humane Society, Barton Rouge, LA

Lafayette Animal Control Shelter, Lafayette, LA

Rescued Dogs Adoption Center, Mandeville, LA

Kaplan Animal Control Shelter

St. Bernards Parish Shelter

Tammany Parish Shelter

The receiving groups opened their hearts and their doors to offer a chance for these 171 displaced dogs of NOLA.  Thank you for making room!

Lucky Dog Rescue D.C.

Petconnect in D.C.

Homeless Animal Rescue Team DC

Lakeland SPCA

Tampa Humane Society

Humane Society of Pinellas County

Suncoast Animal League

Tampa Bay SPCA

Humane Society of Naples

Second Chance for Puppies and Kittens

Pet ResQ Inc. in NJ

Friends of Homeless Animals in NJ

Kings Harvest in Davenport, Iowa

Lab and All Breed Rescue in Memphis

Second Chance Barnyard Rescue MO

Please remember the people and the animals of NOLA.  We cannot forget them and we will most assuredly remember the incredible sight as the sun rose that Saturday morning in September….

 

11 thoughts on “Pilots N Paws Gulf Coast Rescue Flyway, 171 lives saved in one day!”

  1. Louise Fournier Perry says:

    As a Doberman Rescuer, I want to thank everyone involved in this monumental transport! I’m sure it took an incredible amount of planning to make sure everything went off without a hitch. Thank you for the generosity shown by all!

  2. Susan Overstreet says:

    Absolutely priceless and totally precious slideshow.

    Thanks to everyone for this extraordinary labor of love. WOOF!

  3. Brenda Coats says:

    You all are just amazing, what a wonderful thing you did. The pictures brought tears to my eyes and made me wish I was there to help and would probably take home several of those wonderful pups. Thanks to all of you and I may just go buy a Suburu now when I need a new car!

  4. Patty Meehan says:

    It was a thrill and an honor to be a part of this. Thank you, PnP!
    Patty Meehan, FLASh (Friends of Lafayette Animal Shelter)

  5. Gayle says:

    Awesome work! Thanks to all involved for the great job all of you did in saving these precious lives. What a warm and fuzzy feeling you get watching all the dogs, pilots and volunteers. Keep up the good work!
    Gayle
    Lake Charles, LA

  6. Diane Sandoz says:

    What a wonderful event………I helped that afternoon w/J. Parish adoption weekend, so wish I would have gone to help at the airport…..next time,,,,,,,,,I will be sure to be there….so happy that all of you great pilots took these babies to new homes. 🙂

  7. Michele says:

    Didn’t realize all these years later that the pets in New Orleans still needed so much help.

    What a wonderful project and I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed that all 171 babies find new forever homes.

  8. Diane says:

    I think it is AWESOME, what this organization does and the lives it saved. After my last rescue died in April after 14 great yrs with her; I happened to look on PetFinder and find my little “Tiger”. He was one of the lives saved on the Sept 18th Pilots n Paws rescue. He came to the local rescue of Kings Harvest Ministries. I don’t know who is luckier, him or I. He is the BEST little guy ever and he loves car rides (I think in part to the plane ride breaking him in). haha

    GOD Bless all of you who participated and ALL of the rescues and no-kill shelters who took in some of these 171 lives of our precious “best friends”!

    Many THANKS to you all!

  9. Debbie says:

    What you did for the rescued dogs is wonerful. Thank you to all who were involved. Thank you also to the people who adopted. It is nice to see great people doing great things for wonderful animals!!!!

  10. Karen says:

    Amazing !!! Truly Amazing ~ Thank you so much for doing this are for sharing this wonderful slide show : )

  11. Cathy says:

    What a wonderful group of people involved in this! You are all truly inspirational. Thank you for helping these animals that deserve second chances and loving homes. Keep up the great work!!!

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