Animal Rescue Flights Photo Gallery Success In Pictures: Over 100,000 nautical miles of ARF transports 2010 2009 2008

12/31/08: 1 Dog - Hamilton, OH to Minneapolis, MN Scooter waited patiently in Ohio for four weeks as his flights kept being canceled due to bad weather. Finally, the skies cleared and ARF's pilots started his long-awaited transport to his rescue in Wisconsin... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

12/29/08: 2 Dogs - MI to VA and NC When Griffon ended up in the shelter, he barely had any hair left on his body and, although he should've weighed around 65-70 lbs, he barely weighed in at 40lbs. He didn't have the strength to get up and eat. Shane found herself in the same shelter after her owner died and the owner had no living heirs. Shane is at least 11 years old, mostly blind from cataracts and somewhat deaf as well. Nobody wanted to take on Shane because of her age. Luckily, both dogs were saved by rescues and ARF worked diligently to transfer them to their new homes... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

12/19/08: 1 Dog - Tulsa, OK to Marlton, NJ Dixie Mae was one of four dachshunds left alone at home when their owner went to the hospital and never returned. Luckily, a neighbor came to their rescue. Handicapped since birth with a hunched back and more of a scuttle than a walk, Dixie Mae spends most of her time now looking into the distance with sad, soulful eyes... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

12/13/08: 2 Dogs - SC to MD to ME Fluffy has never really been wanted. An elderly man took care of her as part of his agreement with his landlord and, although poor, shared what he had with Fluffy. They used to sit together in the evenings splitting a can of spaghetti -- two lonely souls. When the man was put into a rest home, Fluffy was starving and had lost most of her hair from malnutrition. Somehow Fluffy ended up with a caring woman who nursed her back to health and now she is on his way with ARF to finally have a family of her very own... The Gaston County Animal Shelter gasses dogs twice a day every day. It's a highly controversial way, and most consider it a less humane way, to kill an unwanted animal...but then it's cheaper than other options. One recent day when the dogs were gathered up for the next gassing, somehow Cricket was missed. When the news got out about Cricket's lucky break, the Animal League of Gaston County stepped in and saved her, vetted her and put her in a nice boarding facility until she could be transported to a rescue in Maine that will make sure that Cricket gets the most out of her new lease on life... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

12/13/08: 1 Dog - Siloam Springs, AR to Chattanooga, TN If dogs could talk, Nikita would have quite a story to tell. She disappeared in Chattanooga, TN, and 10 days later was picked up as a stray with a gunshot wound to her hind leg in northwest Arkansas near the border of Oklahoma. No major interstate directly runs from Chattanooga to Siloam Springs, adding to the mystery of how Nikita ended up there... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

12/06/08: 2 Puppies - Newberry, SC to Caldwell, NJ Chewie and Furbie found each other at the pound and became fast friends. They were lucky enough to be rescued and would travel with ARF, cuddling together in the same travel kennel, from South Carolina to New Jersey where they will eventually be placed in new, loving homes... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

12/05/08: 1 Pregnant dog - Rushville, IN to Mount Pocono, PA Holly was a stray and took several months to catch. Holly came into Rushville Animal Control, a kill shelter, literally starving. After getting some food in her stomach, the shelter thought she was pregnant and made a connection with the Pregnant Dog Rescue. ARF had to get her out of the shelter fast before she had puppies as that would be a death sentence for the pups and possibly for Holly, too... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

11/29/08: 1 Dog - Youngstown, OH, to Pawtucket, RI Mulan, was one of the "urgent" kids at Mahoning Pound, a high kill shelter. She wasn't going to survive through Thanksgiving but since she had so many people working on getting her to her rescue in NH, she was released and went to the vet to prepare for her transport... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

11/23/08: 1 Dog - Warsaw, IN to Philadelphia, PA Monti was turned in to the shelter by an elderly man who was no longer able to handle him. Luckily, he is headed with ARF to the American Bulldog Rescue who will find him a new home... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

11/22/08: 1 Dog - Salisbury, NC to Biddeford, ME Lexie was picked up by Heard County Animal Control in Georgia as a stray but she was friendly with people and was very healthy so it is probable that her family may have lost her or dumped her. She was with Animal Control for about 2 weeks, at a boarding facility in Georgia for 4 days, then took a 24 hour trip by van to get to Baltimore, spent one week there with a foster home and now she's headed to Maine with ARF to a rescue that will place her with her new forever home... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

11/22/08: 1 Dog - IN to CT, 2 Dogs OH to CT Frankie was saved from euth. after being diagnosed with Progressive Retinal Atrophy. A second opinion found he doesn't have it and won't go blind as predicted. Lynette is a 5mo old puppy whose owners lost their home and had to give her up. Rosebud was an unwanted "accident". She, her siblings, and her mom were discarded at the shelter because the owners didn't spay their dog. But now they have something good in common, a place to go... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

11/09/08: 1 Dog - GA to ME, 2 Dogs - FL to PA The AuCaDo (Australian Cattle Dog) Rescue Forum was first notified about Ozzie, a sweet, shy blue heeler, on Oct. 5th; he had transferred to the Etowah Valley Humane Society in Cartersville, Georgia, the day before he was scheduled to be euthanized. He went to a number of adoption events but was never chosen, and again his time would be up. Milda in Maine saw Ozzie on a cattledog list and stepped up to foster him. Close to death twice, this sweet and special boy now has a chance at a brand new happy life... Sally and Payasa are two 7mo old female American Bulldog sisters who were rescued from an irresponsible backyard breeder. Sally and Payasa were the only two puppies left of the litter that he had not sold. They were living outside during the hot and humid Miami summer, with no love or attention. American Bulldog Rescue was willing to foster them in Pennsylvania until they can find the loving home that they both deserve... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

11/09/08: 1 Dog - White Plains, NY to Highgate, VT Bowser was found as a stray outside of NYC. He was so socialized, well behaved and a complete mush that the shelter felt that he must be someone's pet and they would come for him. Two months later Bowser still sat waiting for his family to come for him. The shelter reached out for help in placing him - so began his trip to Vermont... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

11/02/08: 1 Dog - Hampden, ME to Wareham, MA Luke was relinquished from previous owners because of financial difficulties, they had to sell farm. Luke is an older working dog who needs a situation where herding is part of his daily routine. Going to VA to be adopted to another farm family... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

11/02/08: 2 Dogs - IN & OH to NJ & NY The Marion-Grant County Humane Society lost its funding and is working feverishly to place and transport 60 dogs and 60 cats before the end of the month or these animals will have to be put to sleep. One of the dogs is a boxer named Miss Wiggles and she is on her way to a foster with the Second Chance Boxer rescue. Aggie is a very sweet, 7 year old partially paralyzed long-haired red dachshund. She is mobile through the assistance of a cart that holds her back end. Her owner was traveling almost every weekend and he got "burnt out" caring for Aggie and having to board her. He was threatening to have her put to sleep. The rescue took her in in Ft. Wayne, Indiana... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

11/01/08: 1 Dog - Youngstown, OH to Mount Snow, VT Penny was at the Mahoning County shelter and is headed for a rescue where she will eventually be placed in her new forever home. She is traveling to Last Chance Rescue in Winchester, NH. Penny is an older shep mix who came in as a stray. They were very doubtful of her getting out of there as depression set in very quickly. Last Chance Rescue has found her an approved home that has recently lost their beloved dog. Penny looks a lot like their girl... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

11/01/08: 1 Dog - Hyannis, MA to Philadelphia, PA A 55lb boxer named Dash was adopted by a family in Yarmouth, MA. He has since developed a severe (non-contagious) skin problem that needs to be treated by an expert vet in Philadelphia... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

10/20/08: 1 Dog - Tulsa, OK to Rochester, NY My name is Molly and my guardians, like so many other Americans, recently lost their home. They didn't want to surrender me for adoption but they couldn't take care of me anymore. Dachshund Rescue North America has a foster family in upstate New York lined up for me and I'm heading there today with ARF... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

10/19/08: 1 Dog - St. Clairsville, OH to Schenectady, NY Kia, a small Puggle, only had two days left before she was due to be gassed when she was approved to go to her forever home in Albany. For three weeks, she had sit in the shelter waiting for a way to get there. This is her weekend to go home... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

10/16/08: 1 Dog - St. Maarten to Miami, FL to Minneapolis, MN Born under a container, these two darling pups who were rescued from a construction site on the island of St. Maarten. Atlas and Chance have been in foster care and awaiting adoption for the last 7 weeks with no interest.... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

10/12/08: 8 Dogs - IN to PA to NY A 10 year old American Bulldog in the autumn of her life and an Irish Setter mama and her six pups just starting out on their life adventure...all were destined to be euthanized until a couple of wonderful rescues stepped up to save them. They will be traveling to their new homes with ARF... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

10/10/08: 1 Dog - Mobile, AL to Jeffersonville, IN Cyrano was picked up as a stray and brought to the animal control center. Severely emaciated, he had a collar and tags (which is how they knew his name was Cyrano) as well as a rabies tag. The animal control center held him for 5 days but the owners never came. The rabies tag led them back to the dog's vet. When the dog saw the vet, his tail was wagging...someone he recognized. It turns out that Cyrano was last in to see the vet in November 2007. Who knows how long he's been living on the streets since then....but now he's on his way to a better life... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

10/04/08: 2 Dogs - Ohio to New York to Vermont This story is about two boxers, Taffy and Harley, who were both strays in Ohio and both were set to be euthanized. But it was partly due to their similarities that brought them a new chance for life. Their paths converged and changed, and not a moment too soon... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

09/30/08: 1 Dog - Pensacola, FL to Minneapolis, MN As sweet as she is, Hannah is a product of bad breeding. A Harlequin dane (with coloring somewhat similar to a dalmation) was bred with a merle (grey) dane and this combination usually results in white, blind, deaf puppies. But Hannah...she's a survivor and now at 15 lbs and 8 weeks old, she is ready to go to her forever home with the Johnsons in Sturgeon Lake, MN. The Johnsons have a lot of experience with handicapped danes and are ready to welcome her with loving arms and are excited to introduce her to her new brother and sister... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

09/21/08: 1 Dog - Farmingdale NY to Westfield, MA Angel's first family neglected her so she went to a new family better suited to take care of her. However, that family's dog didn't accept Angel after 3 months of trying. For Angel's safety, they sadly gave her up to DRNA to find her a new home and ARF helped to get her there... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

09/21/08: 1 Dog - Islip, NY to Ithaca, NY Lexi is a 6 month old double-dapple dachshund, totally deaf and partially blind from bad breeding practices. Tethered outside and punished, she ended up in a midwest Humane Society's back room, never to be put out for adoption due to her handicaps. Thankfully, there are people like Cheryl from Dachshund Rescue North America... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

09/21/08: 3 Dogs - Durham, NC to Westerly, RI Jet, Rascal and Duke were saved from death row at a pound in Spruce Pines, NC. They were transported by ground to Rhonda at Lake Ridge Aeropark (8NC8), the start of their journey to a better life in Rhode Island with ARF pilots Matthew, Michele, Linda, and Ron... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

09/07/08: 1 Dog - Morristown, TN to Westerly, RI A fluffly little puppy found in a drainpipe in Tennessee ends up at the local shelter where the euthanization rate is as high as 94%. "Taffy", named for Tafalina who rescued her, will luckily beat the odds thanks to a team of caring rescuers, fosters, and pilots... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

09/02/08: 5 Kittens - St. Maarten to New York Yes, you read that correctly! 5 kittens were flown on a rescue flight from Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in St. Maarten to John F Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York, albeit with a lot of help from our codeshare partner, American Airlines. While St. Maarten is a tropical paradise destination for tourists, it also has a large population of stray animals. These kittens were very fortunate to have adopters waiting in the U.S.... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

08/13/08: 1 Dog - Kennebunkport, ME to Burlington, VT Like so many rescue dogs, Duke's past is mostly a mystery. What we do know is that this beautiful 4 year old bullmastiff spent three months with a family but was surrendered to a shelter. Thanks to the American Bullmastiff Association, he has a new lease on life. His ARF flight took him from Kennebunkport to Burlington where he will soon be placed in a loving home... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

08/11-08/12/08: 1 Dog - Stafford, CT to Baltimore, MD After only a week, Samson's original owners had dumped him at the local pound...a high-kill shelter...because they were allergic to him. Only a few months old and a beautiful white shepherd, he caught the eye of a rescue worker. He was transported from Florida to a foster home in Connecticut to wait for a new forever home... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

07/16/08: 1 Dog "+" - Providence, RI to Burlington, VT Budda, an Ori Pei, which is a pug/shar pei mix, was picked up by the Animal Control Officer in Providence RI at the beginning of July. She showed signs immediately that she was to have puppies. Budda was incredibly scared and would back up and bark and not let people approach her while at the shelter. Sadly.. so many dogs do not "show well" when adopters look at them.. that in conjunction with being pregnant wasn't a good outcome for Budda. It is very clear that Budda hasn't been showed very much love or respect in her short life. She will thrive now, she will be OK, and is getting all the TLC she needs and deserves!... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

06/25/08: 1 Dog - Providence, RI to Highgate, VT Orsen was a stray on the streets of CT, ended up at the dog pound and his stay was up as it is a busy place with a lot of dogs. He is an American bulldog, about 8 years old, who had a very rough life. He is very thin, ribs/spine showing and his back legs are very weak. His weakness is most likely caused from lack of excersize, and poor diet. But now Orsen looks forward to rehab and then he's off to a forever home!... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

06/25/08: 2 Dogs & 1 Kitten - NC to NJ to CT The original plan called for a flight from Spruce Pine, NC to Oxford, CT with a brief layover at Greenwood Lake, NJ, but thunderstorms kept delaying our rescue flights. Finally, ARF ground crew member, Joanne, hopped into her car and drove to get Dixie and Susie and a kitten. By combining both ground and air, this "Sky Assist" transport was completed successfully.... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

06/23/08: 1 Dog - OK to NY to CT to MD to VA We still don't have much history on Hahns or how he was injured. We don't think he was hit by a car, but probably that he was kicked or struck in some way. His tail was broken and he has a few other things that need mending. When we laid eyes on him for the first time, our hearts melted. He is the most beautiful guy and the SWEETEST thing. We couldn't get it out of our minds that there is nothing wrong with this dog whose tail can't wag... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

06/14/08: 1 Dog - Chapel Hill, NC to Westfield, MA The story began with a stray female Basenji who survived a typhoon in China, and was rescued and transported to the U.S. To the surprise of the rescuer, she was pregnant. "Stella", our passenger, was from the litter. At four months, Stella was chosen to become a "companion dog" for a special needs person, but needed to get to New England for her training... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

06/08/08: 5 Dogs - Tuscaloosa, AL to Highgate, VT Our passengers, a golden retriever ("Lola"), an English bulldog ("Lucy"), two French bulldog/pug mixes ("Pete" & "Repeat"), and a talkative pug ("Fritz"), began their 1355 mile journey in Alabama. It took over 10 people to get them all the way up to Highgate, Vermont, a small town just south of the Canadian border... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

05/30/08: 1 Dog - Fairmont, WV to Easton, PA Steve flew Tanner, a beautiful black lab puppy, from Fairmont West Virginia to Easton, Pennsylvania. Tanner's previous owner lived in an apartment and kept him crated most of the time. But now Tanner has found his forever home with a family who already has a 11 month black lab. It was love at first site for the two labs... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

05/25/08: 1 Dog - Reading, PA to Bremen, ME Loralie, a sweet eight month old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, took her first rescue flight from Reading, PA to Farmingdale, NY thanks to Dave Kalbach. As a bonus, there was a huge Memorial weekend airshow being held near Farmingdale, so we got to see all the participating aircraft! Dave's friend Frank met us at the airport for the handoff for the flight to Maine.... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

05/24/08: 10 Dogs - Knoxville, TN to Westfield, MA Ten Dogs?!? Yes, 10 dogs! This rescue flight began simply as "1 Dog - Little Rock, AR to Woburn, MA", but grew in size as the plan came together. The final passenger count included "Apollo", a blind dachshund puppy whose playful spirit won us over, two dachshund-corky puppies "Mork" and "Mindy", and "Hope", a dachshund-hound. Oh, the six other rescued puppies were inside an amazingly pregnant Hope.... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

05/17/08: 3 Dogs - Nashville, TN to Torrington, CT The weather forecast was gloomy, but Saturday began with crystal clear skies. It was the perfect day for flying our three hopeful passengers! Darcy Mae boarded Peter's Cessna 175 in Georgia. The flight headed to Knoxville, TN where Evalynn and Bianca joined the crew for their rescue flight northward to Connecticut.... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

05/04-06/08: 2 Dogs - Little Rock, AR to Wallingford, CT Sunday was a perfect flying day! In Little Rock, April and May joined the flight to Connecticut. Debbie and her husband run www.arsoutherndogrescue.org and saved these dogs from a high kill shelter.... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]

04/24/08: 2 Dogs - Columbia, MD to Mansfield, CT Green Eyes, the quiet little brother and Red, the bossy Kelpie sister were adorable. Rescue transport volunteer Sherry met us at small airport in Maryland for the "ground to air" handoff.... [See the rest of the story and all the photos]