Can A Compassion Flight For Animal Rescue Get Reimbursed For Fuel

Why volunteers fly for Pilots N Paws

Pilots who fly recreationally oftentimes share a mutual issue: finding new places to go. Chris and Jackie Gaertner, the owners of 4 aircraft, and Sue Haas, the owner of a Millennium Edition Cessna® Skylane® 182S, found an inventive solution.

"It gives real meaning and purpose to our flights," Jackie said.

These pilots fly for Pilots N Paws, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings together general aviation pilots who are willing to provide free transportation for rescue, shelter or foster animals. The organization says information technology needs more pilots to meet the growing need.

Pilots N Paws by the numbers

The group'south missions vary. Some are for pets heading to their adoptive homes far away, and some trips involve moving animals from an overpopulated region to a customs where they take better chances of beingness adopted. These trips save beast passengers from euthanasia, because many go to foster homes or no-impale shelters. Pilots N Paws estimates 4 1000000 pets are euthanized each year in the Usa considering they were no longer wanted or never constitute homes.

Co-ordinate to Sue Haas, pictured above with Ed Abrams (L) and John Fontaine (R) who are likewise volunteer pilots for Pilots N Paws, "Putting the correct fauna with the right person rescues everyone concerned."

"It'south non just about helping the dogs nosotros transport. Information technology'southward near helping people, too," Haas said. "Sometimes the rescues will send me a follow-up photo of the dog and its new forever family unit. You can run into the happiness the dog brings to them."

Those requesting assistance communicate beginning through a Pilots N Paws message board. Pilots who tin aid reply directly to the person and plan the details. As volunteers, Haas and the Gaertners pay for all expenses related to a rescue flight, though some costs are tax-deductible donations.

"Nosotros receive much-appreciated support from most of the FBOs we patronize during the flights: fuel discounts, waived landing/support fees and treats for the animals," Jackie said.

"I promise other pilots will go involved. They will find it to exist so very rewarding. You are using your unique gift of beingness able to fly an airplane to practise something really worthwhile."Sue Haas, Pilots N Paws volunteer pilot

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Both owners considered their humanitarian flights when they purchased their airplanes. The Gaertners' Male monarch Air has plenty of room in the motel for the animals' crates and a mission assistant – commonly ane of their sons – to give the passengers some attention and ensure they are handling the flight OK.

"Yet another reason we dear this airplane," Jackie said.

"On one particular flight nosotros were able to fit seven pet crates in the motel, carrying a total of 39 animals. They were transported safely and comfortably in our pressurized cabin from Visalia, California, to Hillsboro, Oregon – a 2.5-60 minutes flight. This included three momma dogs, 30 puppies (22 less than a week quondam) and six kittens."

In just over ii years, Jackie and her husband have already taken more than than 75 multi-beast trips.

Moving pets quickly and routinely out of overpopulated areas saves animals' lives and opens upwardly space for more to be rescued.

Both Haas and the Gaertners love their humanitarian work so much they gave a nod to it in their tail designs.

The Gaertners besides have a Citation® CJ4® they fly for Pilots N Paws besides as compassion flights for Angel Flight Westward and Veterans Airlift Command. With total schedules at work and home, the couple uses these humanitarian missions as ways of spending time together.