Dogs with Wings By Writer and Contributor NJ Jaeger
On wings made of metal they take to the skies
Wishing a kind human would answer their cries,
The unwanted, dumped and thrown away
Dream of a home where they will stay.
Pilots N Paws.org
Canines from high kill shelters wing their way to new homes across the friendliest of skies aboard volunteer pilot Zack Bryson’s 1979 Grumman Tiger plane. Zack’s “Freedom Flights” begin in a hangar at Torrance Airport. Torrance Airport has functioned as a vital hub for service flights in the South Bay, and Zack says “the role it has played in history is impressive”.
Are you a Pilot?
Zack explains, “I specialize in those trips no one else will take” His 15-dog hero flight was one of those, and as memorable as it was, perhaps two of the most memorable flights happened before he ever left the ground…
Six Labradors Leaping
Boarding six rambunctious Labrador retrievers while preparing for takeoff amidst teary long goodbyes from rescuers made it very challenging. Eventually a man who had been watching the jolly acrobatics show approached the plane with Zack now seated in the pilot seat, a Labrador in the passenger seat, to ask Zack, “Are you a pilot?” It turned out that Zack’s plane was loading smack in front of the FAA office and the man was an FAA official there to document weight and balance before takeoff.
When Pigs Fly
Before Zack and a buddy took off on a Freedom Flight with a Mama Pig and her piglet they needed to load her onto the plane. Now Mama Pig was a nice pig, but Mama Pig was determined to get to her piglet that for safety reasons was separated from her. Mama pig was led on a leash, but this was a mighty old leash, and Mama Pig was a mighty big pig… so it busted. Zack grabbed tight to her collar, which made her feel like she was being choked, and Mama Pig took off running, squealing at the top of her healthy piggy lungs. Zack dashed after her and wrestled her to the ground before hooking her onto a sturdier lead and loading her nicely onto the plane. Standing in the hangar a mechanic who had witnessed the scene said after they left, “That sure was a funny looking dog…”
Bryson Air, Zack Bryson’s nonprofit has an outstanding track record of successful transports, including dogs, cats, pigs, giant African tortoises and even mice. Along with hundreds of volunteer pilots around the nation who give their time and expertise to fly man’s best friend to a better life, Southern California based Zack Bryson and Amelia Air provide a helping hand to dogs time-stamped for euthanasia. Without these caring and compassionate pilots there would be no happy ending for hundreds of dogs or the warm hearts and willing hands of volunteers ready to foster of adopt them.
While for-profit aviation transporters like Bark Air charge $6,000 for a dedicated flight attendant and pricey dog-friendly surroundings, Bryson Air provides soft blankets and a volunteer to engage with the dogs. This interaction insures the dogs remain safe as they gaze down through the clouds on this trip of a lifetime.
Amelia Air
Petra Janney in Los Angeles and Dean Heistad in Washington, D.C. are co-founders of Amelia Air. Petra who flies out of Whiteman Airport in Pacoima was inspired to become a pilot after hearing Dean’s concept for a new volunteer pilot organization to save dogs time-stamped for death.
Because pilots fly empty planes to fulfill the hours needed to keep their general aviation license current, Dean’s plan was to dedicate these flights to dog transport- thereby benefitting both dog and mankind.
Thousands of dogs die in custody in California. In fact California leads the nation in deaths while in custody with Florida and Texas close behind. Janney says their mission is to fly dogs from overcrowded shelter to families who want them.
Amelia Air on the West Coast has saved hundreds of rural California dogs by flying them to new urban destinations. The unselfish coordination by dozens of rescue organizations around the state to identify open shelter space, adopters, saturation points and interest in specific breeds is invaluable to success.
American Airlines Responds
Although not an Amelia Flight – due to the number of dogs and speed required – they facilitated the 45 beagle rescue in Chino Hills from a pharmaceutical testing facility. Caged since birth for a life of testing, the clock was ticking down and there were just 72 hours left to liberate them from being euthanized. Amelia Air arranged for American Airlines to fly the beagles to safety and worked with the team at Priceless Pets who found every single beagle a home.
Volunteer Dog Transport Organizations include:
Pilots N Paws
Amelia Air
Pilots To The Rescue
Animal Rescue Flights
Commercial airline pet transport is breed restricted and it is important to check if your breed is permitted. Some breeds not permitted to fly as cargo:
Boston Terrier
Boxer
Bulldog
Cane Corso
Chow Chow
English Toy Spaniel
Lhasa Apso
Mastiff
Pekingese
Pit Bull
Pug
Shih Tzu
Adopt Don’t Shop
Rescue organizations around the country urge you to adopt from shelters. According to the latest statistics from the ASPCA 1.2 million dogs and1.4 million cats are euthanized every year.
NJ is a storyteller who has written in many voices for clients in health, education, entertainment, food, sport and politics. Her firm managed publicity for documentary films, book authors and the U.S. Championships. NJ received the Lynn Weaver Award from the Entertainment Professional Publicists Society for her lifelong commitment to philanthropy and community volunteerism.
