Author’s Note: Pilots N Paws has given us the amazing opportunity to help save the lives of special needs cats. On more than a dozen occasions your organization has found pilots to bring cats up from central and southern california to our rescue/sanctuary in Santa Rosa. None of these cats would’ve lived had it not been for Pilots N Paws.

We have had the great fortune to work with Michelle Aylward. She’s an amazing woman who never gives up. You are extremely fortunate to have her on your team.

Out of all the cats that we’ve rescued with your help, Snowy has perhaps touched all of our hearts the most. This is her story, and the emails preceding her journey to SNAP Cats. I’ve attached some pics as well. If you’d like to post this on your website please do. I think it shows the courage and dedication of Michelle and Pilots N Paws.

Snowy flew on 3 planes:

Riverside to Bakersfield – Pilot John Rendall

Bakersfield to San Carlos – Pilot Chris Piety (plane in picture attached)

San Carlos to Santa Rosa – Pilot Jackie Gaertner

SNOWY’S STORY:

Snowy laid half-dead on a busy Orange County street, barely dodging cars as they sped by. A heroic young woman, Erika, stopped traffic, scooped Snowy up and took her immediately to a vet where they did very little to help her condition. So Erika got in touch with Michelle, who coordinates Pilots N Paws emergency flights. Michelle emailed us. And within 24 hours Snowy was on her way to SNAP Cats.

On the way from Charles Schulz (Santa Rosa) Airport, Snowy stopped breathing. We resuscitated her and got her to SNAP Cats as fast as we could. Gave her fluids, syringe fed her high-calorie food, and gave her around-the-clock attention. Snowy’s blood work showed anemia, chronic renal failure, hyperthyroid, and liver disease. We went to work to give Snowy a fighting chance. Her recovery was a roller coaster ride. We thought we lost her several times. But Snowy always fought back.

Today Snowy is healthy and happy. We solved all of her issues except hyperthyroid, which is a simple two pills a day that she takes extremely well.

We don’t know how long Snowy’s new life will last. We do know that she’s a wonderful, loving kitty appreciative of attention and love. Snowy’s left was recently removed and she received a dental at the same time. Snowy’s not great with other cats, but she’s not aggressive if confronted. And she does have a slight nipping problem when being pet, but we’ve make progress on modifying that. Snowy deserves nothing but the best considering how far she’s come.

UPDATE:

On March 11, 2017, Snowy was adopted by Danielle and Rob Bulik. Snowy’s come so very far since she was rescued on an Orange County street. Thank you to everyone who played a role in making this a very, very happy ending!

Darryl snapcats.org