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Pilots N Paws

At Risk Pooch Soars to New Life in Houston

Cmdr. Todd Green of the Corpus Christi Police Department posted a story on the CCPD Blotter on March 13, 2013 titled “At Risk Pooch Soars to New Life in Houston” (click to visit the station’s website).  The story follows.

A nine-year old canine whose future once looked bleak enjoyed a first class flight to Houston Tuesday afternoon, thanks to an enterprising Corpus Christi Animal Control Officer and a non-profit animal rescue network called “Pilots N Paws”.

The dog named “Gucci” arrived at the Corpus Christi Animal Shelter last Thursday when her owner surrendered her. Gucci’s owner was forced to make the difficult decision to surrender her when apartment management informed the pet’s owner that she was only allowed two pets; Gucci sadly became the odd dog out.

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Gucci and her rescue pilot, Wade Roberts of Pearland, Tx.

When Gucci tested positive for heartworms the next day, Animal Control Officer James Matt Ray realized that placing her for adoption would be difficult due to her age and health issues. Ray quickly went into action and found an animal rescue group called PugHearts of Houston that specializes in rescuing that particular breed. Ray contacted the group and they agreed to rescue Gucci, but there was still the problem of how to get her to Houston. Undaunted, Ray continued to search the internet and found “Pilots N Paws”, a non-profit website that serves as a meeting place for those who rescue, shelter or foster animals, and volunteer pilots willing to assist with the transportation of at-risk animals.

Pilots N Paws was founded in 2008 by animal-lover Debi Boies and pilot Jon Wehrenberg. The idea first took flight when Jon agreed to help Debi by flying a rescued Doberman from Florida to South Carolina. The trip was a success and the two brainstormed on how to rescue other animals. As a result of their collaboration, the website, https://www.pilotsnpaws.org was soon launched. Today the organization has 3,168 pilot volunteers and 10,551 volunteers responsible for saving thousands of animals each year.

Through the website Officer Ray contacted Wade Roberts, a pilot from Pearland, Texas, who agreed to pick up Gucci and fly her back to Houston. ACO Ray met Roberts Tuesday morning at a small airport in Port Aransas and by 11:30 am Gucci was on her way to a new life in Houston-all thanks to a caring pilot and the Animal Control Officer who went beyond the call of duty to save her.

2 thoughts on “At Risk Pooch Soars to New Life in Houston”

  1. Wade Roberts says:

    Most of the thanks should go to Animal Control Officer James Matt Ray for saving Gucci, and to PugHearts of Houston for rescuing Gucci, my happy Pug passenger. They do the truly important, and, often, heart-breaking stuff. I’m privileged to assist in doing their good work.

  2. Ann Chambers says:

    You’re a wonderful, caring man Wade Roberts. It takes a huge heart and lots of money for these flights. Thank you for saving Gucci’s life. May the blessings come back to you 100-fold.

    James Matt Ray your efforts are heroic. It is so comforting to know that kind-hearted, go the extra mile rescuers like you do actually exist. THANK YOU!!!!

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