{"id":763129,"date":"2021-03-04T08:02:44","date_gmt":"2021-03-04T13:02:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=763129"},"modified":"2021-03-04T08:02:44","modified_gmt":"2021-03-04T13:02:44","slug":"amelia-air-saving-animals-with-airplanes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=763129","title":{"rendered":"Amelia Air: Saving animals with airplanes"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
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There\u2019s a common misconception that animals in shelters are unwanted or unruly. The reality is most of these at-risk pets are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\n

NATASHA MCKENTY:<\/strong> Amelia Air has an ambitious goal to save 500 animals this year. Founded by long-time aviator Dean Heistad, the airborne rescue group has been operational since August 2019. Together with his co-founder, Petra Janney, they have already liberated 170 dogs and cats from high-kill shelters, soaring them to safe-havens…<\/p>\n

The meaning behind the name is twofold. \u201cAmelia Air\u201d was chosen in honor of Heistad\u2019s first rescue with his wife, Katy \u2014 a Great Dane named Amelia, who jumped straight into the cockpit during her liberation. \u201cShe actually leapt up onto the wing [of the Cessna 310] and just climbed right into the cockpit,\u201d he said. \u201cShe was excited to go somewhere in a plane. . . . We landed pretty quickly on [the name] Amelia. She\u2019s an airport dog.\u201d<\/p>\n

But there\u2019s another unique connection to the name, one that resides within Janney\u2019s family tree. Her grandmother, Macy Putnam Janney, was a cousin to George P. Putnam. (George) Putnam, of course, was the husband of American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart…<\/p>\n

Today, Janney has around 110 flight hours. \u201cI\u2019ve been rescuing animals since a couple of days after I got my license,\u201d she said. Janney, Heistad and volunteer pilot Dr. Rob Allen, who uses his Cessna Conquest for rescue flights, see themselves as \u201cthe missing link\u201d for often forgotten shelter animals. Together, they work to alter their furry travelers\u2019 fate while advocating for an \u201cadopt don\u2019t shop\u201d mentality…<\/p>\n

Since the rescue relies entirely on donations, the flights need to be orchestrated most cost-effectively… \u201cSo, if we raise $25,000 per year, that\u2019s 250 animals,\u201d he explained. \u201cIf we bring in $50,000 this year, we\u2019ll have the money to save 500.\u201d Their most successful fundraiser to date raised over $32,000 thanks to campaign manager Stacy Schecter, and some star power. The Academy Award-winning actress Allison Janney, who has three rescues of her own, also happens to be Petra\u2019s aunt…<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a common misconception that animals in shelters are unwanted or unruly. The reality is most of these at-risk pets are just in the wrong place at the wrong time… Each year, millions of animals are euthanized in North America due to overcrowding in shelters. Often, they are young and healthy, and their only fault is homelessness… Thanks to Amelia Air, many animals have soared to safe homes.<\/p>\n

Thanks to a small team of dedicated volunteers on both U.S. coasts, Amelia Air is well on its way to saving hundreds of lives in 2021… In an attempt to cover the administrative costs, the rescue is staffed by volunteers. This ensures that 100 percent of the funds donated go toward the cost of rescuing animals. Contributions are tax-exempt, and donations can be made at www.ameliaair.org. SOURCE…<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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