• Article Photo. One last belly rub before boarding the plan!
    One last belly rub before boarding the plan!
  • Article Photo. Storie, boarding pass in paw prepares to fly to her new owners in New Jersey.
    Storie, boarding pass in paw prepares to fly to her new owners in New Jersey.
By Donita Casey,
Friends of the Shelter, Inc.
Vinton/Benton Co. Animal Shelter
 
Storie was brought to the shelter in late January 2010 as a stray. No one called looking for her or looking to adopt her. After 3 months of having Storie at the shelter we took a chance at a long shot and contacted a catahoula rescue hoping she at least looked like she had enough of that breed mixed in with whatever other breeds she was. As luck would have it, she had enough, plus her quiet temperament, they helped us and put us in contact with an approved adopter. The problem was that her adopter lived in New Jersey.
 
That is where Pilots for Paws comes into the picture with Animal Rescue Flights coordinating the many legs of the trip. On Sunday, April 18, 2010, Storie and FOTSI member Donita Casey met the pilot at the Marion Airport. Storie is a relaxed dog naturally, so an airplane trip was no big deal for her.  
The pictures are Storie before Leg #1 from Marion, IA. She couldn't resist getting a belly rub before her flight.
 
This is not our first experience with Pilots for Paws. In October 2009 we had a shelter dog fly out of the Vinton Airport headed to MN to a rescue and subsequently a new home. This is an amazing organization and we are very grateful for their passion for flying and love of animals in need.