Group Transports Unwanted Dogs to New Homes

This week, volunteer pilots throughout the country have made it their mission to rescue 5,000 dogs from euthanasia by flying them to new homes. Pilots N Paws, established in February 2008, takes animals from areas of the country where it’s harder to find adoptive homes (usually southern states) to prospective new parents or shelters who simply have more space. They estimate they’ve rescued about 2,000 animals so far.

Why fly instead of drive? According to ABC News, dogs who are older, pregnant, or have medical needs have a hard time with the longer ground journeys and they’re often switched into new vehicles from hour to hour, which can be taxing emotionally and physically.

Animal airlifts run about $2,500, so the organization relies on pilots to donate time and money, and Pilots N Paws is always looking for financial donations.

To watch an ABC News video, click here.

For more information, go to http://www.pilotsnpaws.org/.

Hilary Swank Joins Pet Adoption Effort

I know, seems every day some celeb is lending their name to a cause, but this one is worth mentioning. Iams Home for the Holidays has announced that two-time Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank will serve as the drive’s ambassador for 2009.

According to the company’s release, “Swank will share her personal experience with adoption and rescue in an effort to help educate others about how they can make a positive impact on the lives of homeless pets. Along with founding partner Helen Woodward Animal Center and nearly 3,500 participating animal organizations from around the world, the program has set a goal to help 1.5 million pets find homes Oct. 1, 2009 through Jan. 4, 2010.”

Swank has two adopted dogs, Karoo and Rumi. She rescued Karoo from the side of a road while filming in South Africa a couple of years ago, and she adopted Rumi last year from a IH4TH shelter in Los Angeles.

If you want to learn more about how to find a finding participating shelters, volunteer or make a donation to support animal organizations and pets awaiting new homes, visit http://www.iams.com/iams/pet-adoption.jsp.

New Animal Planet Show Worth Watching

Next Month, Animal Planet will air a new show, Pit Bulls and Parolees. The reality program is based on the Villalobos Rescue Center, the largest pit bull rescue in the United States, where both rescued pit bulls and ex-cons get a second chance. Animal Planet is calling the show “a chance at redemption, rehabilitation, and rebirth for both man and man’s best friend.” (I don’t know about you guys, but I’m thinking this is bound to be amazing.)

Killian, an older blind pit bull, peers from his kennel at Villalobos Rescue Center. Richard Vogel/AP

The show follows Villalobos founder, Tia Maria Torres, and six parolees, 225 pit bulls, 204 volunteers, two French bulldogs, 19 cats, and Torres’ husband and four kids. Each episode will feature one dog, one rescue, one adoption, and of course, all the drama surrounding the facility.

Pit Bulls and Parolees—which will focus on the interaction of the dogs and the men—came about because Torres was trying to figure out a way to help cover the facility’s $20,000 in monthly bills and her fast-growing $25,000 vet tab. (She initially opened a brothel to pay the bills, but it burned down. No joke.)

The parolees work for food, shelter, gas, cigarettes, and the dogs. "We call them the baddest good guys in town,” Torres told the Associated Press. “They are polite, thankful. They are two-legged versions of the dogs we take in.”

Below is a news clips from My Fox LA:

What do you guys think of this idea for a show?

August 12 is "Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day"

Dogs over 2 years old. Big black dogs. Pit bulls. Shy dogs. Petfinder.com is hoping everyone will spread the word to help these harder-to-place animals find homes. They've named this Wednesday, August 12th, "Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day."

Large, black dogs often get looked over at shelters. Photo via www.startseeingblackdogs.com.

Petfinder conducted a survey asking rescue and shelter groups which pets have the most difficult time being adopted. They responded:

• 30% — senior/older pets
• 15% — pets with medical problems
• 13% — victims of breed prejudice
• 10% — shy pets
• 10% — those who need to be the only pet

So sad, right? Riley was incredibly socially awkward and shy when I got her. It just took a little time for her to gain some confidence.

Petfinder compiled a list of “reasons they love ‘special’ pets.” I included a few of them below…

• Older pets are mellower—you don't have to worry about your lamp getting knocked over!
• With "bad reputation" breeds, you get the chance to prove people wrong with your great dog!
• Dark-furred pets make it easy to accessorize—black goes with everything!
• Pets with behavioral issues allow you to form a tight bond as you overcome obstacles together!

For more information on Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day, click here. You can even search for dogs in your area.

Foster a Dog in New York City

A new blog, Foster Dogs in New York City, is updated daily with dogs from shelters around the city looking for a foster or permanent home. Check out the site here: http://fosterdogsnyc.blogspot.com/. Once you read their stories, you’ll understand just how dire their situation really is. Many face euthanasia within days or even hours.

Beau and Jolie, two NYC dogs currently looking for foster homes.

Please, please think of fostering a dog if you can. Many of these dogs have such little time left, and they just need a chance and some love. And definitely forward a link to the Foster Dogs blog to your friends!