The Sequel Flying into Action

May has been an incredible month. Our new rescue plane is nearly ready for action; we exceeded our goal for our matching campaign celebrating the new plane in conjunction with Peter’s Birthday; over 22,000 animals have been rescued in our short history; and we just had a sponsored rescue flight with our partners at Wondercide. 

The rescue season has only begun and it is shaping up to be our most impactful season yet!!

Thank you donors!

Thank you to all of the generous donors that shared their kindness, compassion and generosity to homeless pets across the country. With their support, we raised over $50,000 during our matching campaign to celebrate our second plane. The funds will go towards helping us transport at-risk animals to loving homes across the northern half of our country. Our second rescue plane is receiving it’s final prep and will dramatically increase the number of animals we can transport and allow us to serve partners in the northeastern part of the country. The new plane has been repainted, emptied of all the passenger chairs and couches, and medical grade interior installed  to safely transport our furry passengers. When this plane takes its first rescue flight in June, it’s going to feel like a brand new plane and a safe place for every animal. 

Over 22,000 Animals Rescued 

Lucky rescue animal 22,000 is Betty Barker who came from San Antonio Pets Alive! SAPA! is a safety net for the most vulnerable animals at the San Antonio municipal shelter and is the last resort for thousands of sick, injured, or abused animals that would normally be euthanized. Since its inception in 2011, San Antonio Pets Alive! has rescued over 55,000 animals including our special passenger Betty Barker. Our partnership with San Antonio’s Pets Alive! and thier Heading Home Program’,  is saving lives! Betty Barker landed with one of our partner rescues, Life Savers Animal Rescue in Polson, MT.  Lynette Duford our newest DIMC team member is also a foster for LSAR and welcomed Betty right into their home while she  waits for her forever home!  She reports that Betty transitioned quickly to sleeping in bed, curling up on any lap available and loves being with people! 

Wondercide Partnership: A New Leash on Life: Over 50 At-Risk Pets Flown to Safety

We are so fortunate for Wondercide who sponsored the May 10 flight that left out of Austin and flew over 50 dogs and cats to rescues in Colorado, Utah, and Idaho. Their, Creative Director, Chris, rode in the copilot seat with our volunteeer pilot Frank, capturing special moments of the day. Flying from Wondercide’s hometown of Austin TX, we partnered with Austin Pets Alive!.  Austin is the largest and longest-running no-kill city in the nation because of a partnership between a non-profit organization called Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) and the city’s shelter, Austin Animal Center. And APA! is pioneering innovative programs designed to save animals most at risk. Their team coordinates with the most under-resourced shelters to identify pets who are running out of hope, offers transportation assistance to their facility, and provides medical care. 

This flight was special because we were able to collaborate with Matt Beisner, certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and star of the Disney+ show, “Dog: Impossible”. Matt donated his time to sit with the dogs before their rescue flight and get to know each and every one. He offered support, and passed on any observations that may improve the dogs chances of landing in a forever home. We also had a special passenger named, Camper who was saved by our partner Erath County Humane Society.  Camper is a larger breed which typically takes much longer to find a home.   He’s a big dog with big love to give. Karen Brophy of Erath County Humane Society explained that Camper came into their shelter as a stray, and no one came to claim him.

“I think the number one question I get about Camper is ‘What is that dog doing in a shelter?’ I think that’s a common misconception that only “bad dogs” or “sick dogs” are in our municipal shelters when that isn’t the case…there are terrific dogs in every shelter.” She fostered Camper until the flight

Fortunately, we were able to bring Camper to Animal Friends Alliance in Fort Collins, Colorado, where they specialize in adopting bigger dogs. We are happy to report Camper was adopted within days of landing in Colorado!

This rescue effort would not have been possible without the support of financial partners like Wondercide. We, along with the 50 animals on their flight, are humbled by their continued compassion and generosity which allows us to rescue so many deserving animals.

It takes a village to save pets in need. Rescue flights like these are not possible without the support of such an amazing community of shelters, volunteers, and animal lovers like you.