Pilots To The Rescue News - July 2024
Summer is in full swing, and just as our shelter partners hoped, the adoptions are rolling in! In the month of July, PTTR rescued 15 dogs from multiple overcrowded shelters in South Florida.
We are delighted to report that at least 8 animals we recently rescued are currently settling into their forever homes. That includes two puppy brothers who were lucky enough to be adopted together!
In this month’s newsletter, you can meet some of the dogs we rescued in June and July along with their new families. You can also learn a few tips for keeping your adopted dog happy and healthy in their new home!
Thank you for your support in making these missions possible!
PTTR Helps Six Puppies Find New Homes in PA
FL's Moose and Barney Find New Families in NY
Moose was one of the 15 dogs PTTR rescued on July 12. Starting from our home state of New Jersey, Albert drove down to Florence, South Carolina, to pick up two momma dogs, one daddy dog, one female adult dog, and 11 puppies in this collaborative mission with Pet Orphans Miami and the Everglades Animal Coalition. From there, Albert drove more than 11 hours back up North to White Plains, New York, where the dogs were received by Toby’s Dream Rescue in Milford, Connecticut and the Canine Project, Inc. in Carthage, New York.
The daddy dog goes by the name of Barney. Thanks to the extraordinary marketing efforts of Toby’s Dream Dog Rescue, Barney was adopted just eight days after he arrived in Connecticut.
Volunteer Spotlight: Amy Shaw
Since our shelter partners are located all over the U.S., figuring out the logistics for our rescues can be quite a challenge. That’s why this month’s spotlight goes to PTTR transport coordinator Amy Shaw, whose passion for animal rescue can be traced back to her first dog, Bailey. Amy rescued Bailey from a shelter in Birmingham, Alabama, and found a loyal companion who kept her spirits high as she changed careers, battled through break-ups, and eventually relocated to a new state. She now resides in North Carolina, where her family has since had the fortune of adopting several dogs from local shelters. Before joining PTTR, Amy harnessed her organizational expertise to coordinate events for an Association management company. The proud mom of two daughters, she has played an instrumental role in countless emergency missions, often finding space for homeless pets who are days - or even hours - away from being euthanized. In addition to dogs and cats, Amy and her family have a deep connection to horses, and both of her daughters have made names for themselves as competitive horseback riders.
Adoption Tip of the Month
Every pet parent wants their dog to be happy. It’s easy to show love and affection, but that’s not all our furry friends need to stay in a good mood and view their new homes as happy places. For instance, a happy dog has somewhere they can always go to relax and sleep in peace. This is why you should make sure your dog has a clean, dry, padded bed, or even a snug blanket in a comfy spot of the house. Ideally, your dog’s bed or blanket should be located somewhere quiet. Depending on your dog’s personality, they might prefer to relax in a room that’s separate from louder, busier spaces of the house. Some dogs might even prefer a doggy den to feel safe, so you may consider trying one if your dog seems uncomfortable out in the open.
Happy dogs are also never short on things to do. After all, dogs are extremely intelligent animals, so it’s your responsibility to give them plenty of opportunities to exercise their body as well as their mind. Excessive boredom can lead to destructive behavior.
In addition to going on walks and letting your dog play outside, you can enrich your dog’s mind with interactive puzzle-feeders, reward-based training sessions, and of course, a wide range of classic dog toys.
Lastly, a happy dog is a confident dog. Does your dog have trouble being alone in the house? This is an essential life skill, and your dog will be much, much happier once they’ve acquired it. So, you’ll want to teach your dog these skills when they’re young so they can grow into confident dogs who don’t live in fear.
Our Drivers Need Your Help to Go On More Rescues
Over the past month and a half, our incredible ground crew has lived up to their name and covered A LOT of ground, from various regions of the Southern United States all the way up to Upstate New York. With our main plane still undergoing maintenance, we couldn’t be more grateful to Adrian Boksz and Albert Picewicz for making sure we continue our life-saving work. Remember: driving a van isn’t their only job. Our drivers must also look after their precious paw-ssengers during these long journeys, making sure they stay healthy and happy as they await their new lives.
Until our plane is ready again, we intend to step up our ground game even further, driving as far as we possibly can to save innocent souls from euthanasia. But that means we’ll be counting on our community to lend us a hand with the costs of these drives. Gas isn’t getting any cheaper, but with your help, that doesn’t have to stop us. When you support PTTR, you put gas in our vehicles so we can get more dogs out of kill shelters, wherever they may be. Your donations are literally our fuel. Please continue supporting PTTR as we head into another month of dogs and cats needing our help.
