- Melissa
Pilots N Paws Trip: Getting a special senior to Illinois
Most Pilots N Paws trips involve a lot of good folks trying to help animals in need. It sometimes takes the coordination of several pilots, rescue organizations and good samaritans to get an animal into the best situation possible. This was the case recently with Dumbledore, a 13 year old setter who's owner had died and family members did not want to keep him. He was taken to the Elizabethtown, KY animal shelter where connections were ultimately made with Illinois Birddog Rescue (http://www.illinoisbirddogrescue.org) who was happy to have this sweet senior come to them for some medical treatment and rehabilitation. For Dumbledore 's flight we installed a restraint behind the backset so that he was safely restrained via his collar but could also move around a bit. He was our most mellow canine passenger yet and slept the entire flight to DuPage Airport in West Chicago.
Since arriving in Illinois his health has greatly improved. He was recently relocated with the help of another pilot to Minnesota where his journey to a forever home is continuing. We were so happy to hear that Dumbledore is on his way to a happy ending.
An important lesson from Dumbledore's situation.... make sure you have arrangements made for your pets in the event of your death. It is important to think about who would care for your pets in the event of your inability, illness, or even death, and to implement a plan to prevent your pets from ending up in a shelter where their future remains uncertain.
We have a plan and specific instructions in our Will for our animals and I am so thankful that we took the time to include those items. You can learn more here: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-planning
More information about Pilots N Paws
Pilots N Paws volunteer pilots fly pets in need to safe shelters, fosters & permanent homes. They are a non profit organization of volunteers engaged in the valuable services of rescuing, sheltering and adopting animals, and volunteer pilots and plane owners willing to assist with animal transportation. The intent of Pilots N Paws is to provide an environment in which volunteers can come together and arrange or schedule rescue flights, overnight foster care or shelter, and all other related activities.