Questions Asked About Flying Paws                   

1.  What is Flying Paws?   Flying Paws is a group of pilots who donate their aircraft and time to help with the transport of special needs animals to safety.  Flying Paws is a non profit organization (501(c)3).  We fly only in the continental United States.  Flying Paws is looking to find more pilots.  If you fly,  contact us.

2.  I am moving and need to move my animals.  Will you help?  Flying Paws works only with recognized rescues, veterinarians and service training facilities to transport their animals.  Flying Paws does not transport personal animals. 

3.  We are a rescue who has just rescued 100 animals.  We need to move them across the country.  Can you help?   Flying Paws volunteers fly general aviation aircraft that are single engine or twin engine.  Flying Paws can not transport large numbers of animals in a flight.  Most flights are individually designed. 

4.  I am XYZ Rescue.  We have a lovable mutt that is going to be euthanized tomorrow morning.  Please, come and get him and take him from Boston to Chicago where he has a foster.  Flying Paws is an all volunteer organization whose members work and have family responsibilities.  Weather also determines if we can fly.  Not all planes can carry all animals.  Rescues must get animals needing transport by Flying Paws into safe fosters until Flying Paws can transport.

5.   Why can't Flying Paws transport my special needs animal from Raleigh ,NC to Seattle ,WA?   Flying Paws volunteers fly limited distances.  A transport of that distance would require multiple planes and a number of fosters for the animal.  Flying Paws transports only from airport to airport.  Just as ground transport hands off an animal every so many miles,  Flying Paws hands off animals to the next pilot every 300-500 miles.  Sometimes,  a Flying Paws volunteer is on vacation and is willing to transport an animal long distances to his home town. 

6.  You say you can not fly today.  Why?   Flying Paws flies safe.  Weather is a major concern.  Ice, wind, fog, rain, snow, dust and many other items go into the decision by the pilot to fly.  Each plane and each pilot have conditions they will fly with and when they will not.  Pilot health is also important.  Colds,  allergies or upset tummies are reasons not to fly.  Family emergencies are also reasons  you do not fly.  The airplane condition is another item that is important.  If the plane does not run,  we do not fly.  Remember,  it is not only the condition where you are but along the whole route of flight that is considered.  

7.  What do I as a rescue have to provide to have Flying Paws help?  Flying Paws requires the following:  Preliminary Transport Request,  Transport Across State Lines or Transport Within State Lines,  Proof of Rabies,  State Health Certificate and if the animal is going to a forever home, proof of altering.  Micro chipping and Heartworm testing are highly recommended.    These documents are on the web.  Flying Paws also requires at every handoff point that rescue provide an emergency foster in case of a problem in the transport.

8.  You have a contact form.  What happens after I fill that out?   Flying Paws Flight Coordinator receives all of these emails.  You will receive a response via email.  If it is a transport which Flying Paws thinks it might be able to help with then you will be asked to submit the Preliminary Transport Request.  Until that is received by the Flight Coordinator nothing further will happen.  Once the Preliminary Transport Request is received the information goes out on the Flying Paw net to all of the volunteer pilots.  They look over the available transports and indicate any that they are interested in doing.  Rescue is then contacted.  Rescue must then complete one of the Transport Across State Lines or Transport Within State Lines,  get proof of Rabies and make arrangements to get a Health Certificate.  All of the documents must be Faxed to the Flight Coordinator 24 hours before the flight.  The original documents must be given to the pilot.

9.  Our rescue animal is afraid of crating. Can they ride free?  All animals transported by Flying Paws must be in a hard sided kennel.  Each plane handles a different size kennel.  If you are to provide the kennel you will be told the size it must be.  Many pilots have their own kennels for their plane.

10.  I think that my animal will travel best if he is sedated.  I will have medicine to give him.   Flying Paws will not transport an animal that has been sedated, unless it is a medical transport and the veterinarian has administered the sedative and given specific directions.  Flying Paws pilots check on how the animal is doing by talking to them,  reaching into the kennel to pet them, etc.  If they are sedated then the reactions of the animal are not normal.  Secondly,  a sedated animal will not give indications if they are having difficulty.  Flying Paws pilots care for the animals in their care.

Flying Paws will be happy to answer any questions rescue might have.

Please use the contact form if it is for transport or

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