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Pets R Us

Finding forever homes for felines, mutts, and others too

Since 2008, the Pilots N Paws organization has been uniting volunteer pilots with animals in need and helping transfer them to safe homes.
Photo courtesy Cirrus
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Actor Aaron O’Connell recently flew Delilah, an 11-year-old dog facing euthanasia in Santa Monica, to her new home in Paso Robles, California. Cirrus Aircraft provided support for O’Connell, who has flown more than 50 rescue missions for Pilots N Paws.
Photo courtesy Cirrus

In many states across the country, there are puppy mills and other types of dangerous living conditions for animals. Pilots N Paws connects pilots with rescue agencies to help save those animals—cats, dogs, ferrets, birds, turtles. Nearly 6,000 volunteer pilots have helped more than 200,000 animals find their forever homes. A rescue flight can consist of one animal or several. Pilots N Paws is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its website is a meeting place for volunteers who rescue, shelter, and adopt animals, and volunteer pilots and airplane owners willing to assist with animal transportation. Pilots N Paws matches volunteers and arranges or schedules rescue flights, overnight foster care, or shelter. You can be a renter pilot or fly your own aircraft. Go to the website to sign up (pilotsnpaws.org).

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Julie Walker
Julie Summers Walker
AOPA Senior Features Editor
AOPA Senior Features Editor Julie Summers Walker joined AOPA in 1998. She is a student pilot still working toward her solo.

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