Update: We did the exact flight again the following weekend. Our 1 airplane took 1,000 lbs. of food and delivered and brought back another 6 adult dogs ! Plans to continue as always.-Mary Barker

Due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew the Bahamas had a desperate need for supplies and relief and so did the animals of the islands!  After working in coordination with Pat Picornell and Tip Borrows (of the Bahamas) we began preparing for our rescue trip to Freeport, Bahamas! 

Thursday, October 20^th in the afternoon we met Pat’s husband, Keiko, in the parking lot of his job to pick up almost 1,000 lbs. of food bound for the Bahamas.  We unloaded Keiko’s van and loaded our SUV with the dog food and took it home to be loaded in our Piper Aztec.  That evening we loaded the food, broke down crates and packed the airplane to within 20 lbs of its gross weight limitations.

On Saturday, October 22^nd, at 7:30am we departed 7FL6 (Daytona Beach, FL area) nonstop to Freeport Bahamas.  In 1 hour 17 mins we arrived, cleared customs, and met Tip who runs a rescue there. 

With the help of her, her volunteers and airport employees we and another airplane (flown by Jim Stenhouse) unloaded roughly 1,100 lbs. of dog food.  Tip informed us that was enough food to feed all the dogs on the island for about 10 days. 

After unloading all the dog food both planes began loading their furry passengers.  Once we were loaded with our 13 pups we departed for Ft. Pierce where we once again cleared customs and were welcomed by the receiving rescues. 

The pups were successfully unloaded, given treats and welcomed to the US!  From Florida most of the pups will be making another journey all the way to Colorado!  We plan to make the same trip this coming weekend as well.

PNP Pilots Steve Clegg & Mary Barker N767SC