DONATE NOW
mobile logo

Canadian Wings of Rescue

Canadian Wings of Rescue / Uncategorized  / Many Wings, Same Heart: How Our Vision Continues to Carry Animals Home

Many Wings, Same Heart: How Our Vision Continues to Carry Animals Home

If you’ve been with us since the early days when our charity launched in 2013, you’ve watched our organization grow, shift, and take on new wings. But the heart of our work remains exactly the same as it did all those years ago: helping animals reach the health, care, home, and hope they deserve.

Looking back: Frankie & Poppy’s Remembrance Day flight

One of our earliest stories— before we were re-named Canadian Wings of Rescue—remains close to our hearts.

On Remembrance Day 2016, two husky pups, Frankie and Poppy, began a life-changing journey. With the help of then volunteer Elizabeth, the pups travelled from northern Ontario to Ottawa to begin their rescue flight south.

 

From there, volunteer pilots Dave and Matt took over, flying Frankie and Poppy from Carp Airport to the Brampton Flight Centre.


Nine years later: a life well lived

Recently, we received a message that reminded us why we do what we do.

“Nine years ago you flew this beautiful girl down to southern Ontario. She became my best friend and adventure partner… Sadly she passed away this week leaving a huge hole in our lives.”
 — Barbara B., Frankie’s adopter

Frankie grew up loved, adventurous, and cherished. She lived the life every rescued dog deserves and it began with a flight, a team of volunteers, and a mission that hasn’t wavered.

To Barbara: thank you for sharing Frankie’s story with us. We’re deeply sorry for your loss, and grateful we could play a part in bringing you together.

To our past and present pilots: your passion and generosity is unmatched.

A mission that’s traveled many miles

Over the years, animal welfare has evolved, and so have we. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to putting animals first:

  • We continue to provide air transport through our dedicated network of volunteer pilots and ground teams.
  • We remain deeply committed to connecting rescue and wildlife partners so animals can reach the services and shelters they need.
  • We help support underserved communities when we can, bridging access to veterinary care, wellness services, and safe rehoming options.

Every flight reflects the same values we started with more than a decade ago: adaptability, compassion, and the belief that animals deserve every chance we can give them.

November 25, 2025
Cheryl
in Uncategorized
No Comments
0 Likes
Cheryl

Related Posts
A Happy Update: Lizzi, Now Karma, Is Thriving in Canada
Saskatchewan’s Volunteer Pilot Helping Animals Reach Safety for over a decade
For the Love of Dogs and Flying

No Comments

Post a Comment



LATEST NEWS FROM OUR INSTAGRAM


Sometimes animal rescue takes a whole runway of people.

This transport was a reminder that helping animals is never just one person, one organization, or one flight. It is a community of people stepping up at exactly the right time.

When orphaned trumpeter swan cygnets in northwestern Ontario needed specialized care, people across the province came together to help move them safely from Thunder Bay to southern Ontario.

Volunteer pilot @Isaiah.Frazao and his crew flew the young swans, working alongside @thunderbirdwildlife, @ShadesofHopeWildlifeRefuge, airport teams, flight support services, and people on the ground who helped make the mission possible.

A special thank you to Isaiah, the team at @KenoraAirport, Roy for generously covering the cost of fuel, @NAVCANADA.ca Flight Services, London Flight Information Centre, and everyone who played a role behind the scenes.

From route support to check-ins along the way, this was a true team effort.
At the heart of it all were animals who needed a chance, and a network of people who refused to let distance stand in the way.

View
103 2
Open
Sometimes animal rescue takes a whole runway of people. This transport was a reminder that helping animals is never just one person, one organization, or one flight. It is a community of people stepping up at exactly the right time. When orphaned trumpeter swan cygnets in northwestern Ontario needed specialized care, people across the province came together to help move them safely from Thunder Bay to southern Ontario. Volunteer pilot @Isaiah.Frazao and his crew flew the young swans, working alongside @thunderbirdwildlife, @ShadesofHopeWildlifeRefuge, airport teams, flight support services, and people on the ground who helped make the mission possible. A special thank you to Isaiah, the team at @KenoraAirport, Roy for generously covering the cost of fuel, @NAVCANADA.ca Flight Services, London Flight Information Centre, and everyone who played a role behind the scenes. From route support to check-ins along the way, this was a true team effort. At the heart of it all were animals who needed a chance, and a network of people who refused to let distance stand in the way.

Sometimes animal rescue takes a whole runway of people.

This transport was a reminder that helping animals is never just one person, one organization, or one flight. It is a community of people stepping up at exactly the right time.

When orphaned trumpeter swan cygnets in northwestern Ontario needed specialized care, people across the province came together to help move them safely from Thunder Bay to southern Ontario.

Volunteer pilot @Isaiah.Frazao and his crew flew the young swans, working alongside @thunderbirdwildlife, @ShadesofHopeWildlifeRefuge, airport teams, flight support services, and people on the ground who helped make the mission possible.

A special thank you to Isaiah, the team at @KenoraAirport, Roy for generously covering the cost of fuel, @NAVCANADA.ca Flight Services, London Flight Information Centre, and everyone who played a role behind the scenes.

From route support to check-ins along the way, this was a true team effort.
At the heart of it all were animals who needed a chance, and a network of people who refused to let distance stand in the way. ...

103 2

Working alongside the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre @OntarioTurtleCC, volunteer pilot @Isaiah.Frazao recently helped transport injured turtles to receive the specialized care they need, avoiding a more than 20-hour drive from where they were found.

The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre saves thousands of turtles every year, and we`re proud to support their incredible work by helping these patients get there safely and quickly.

Congratulations to Isaiah on his first flight with us, and thank you for helping make a difference for Canada`s wildlife! 💚

View
50 3
Open
Working alongside the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre @OntarioTurtleCC, volunteer pilot @Isaiah.Frazao recently helped transport injured turtles to receive the specialized care they need, avoiding a more than 20-hour drive from where they were found. The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre saves thousands of turtles every year, and we're proud to support their incredible work by helping these patients get there safely and quickly. Congratulations to Isaiah on his first flight with us, and thank you for helping make a difference for Canada's wildlife! 💚

Working alongside the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre @OntarioTurtleCC, volunteer pilot @Isaiah.Frazao recently helped transport injured turtles to receive the specialized care they need, avoiding a more than 20-hour drive from where they were found.

The Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre saves thousands of turtles every year, and we`re proud to support their incredible work by helping these patients get there safely and quickly.

Congratulations to Isaiah on his first flight with us, and thank you for helping make a difference for Canada`s wildlife! 💚 ...

50 3

When an orphaned Sandhill Crane colt was found without its parents, every effort was made to give this little one a fighting chance.

Volunteer pilot @kai.salvini flew the young bird from Earlton to our wildlife partners at @woodlandswildlifesanctuary where a team was ready to provide the specialized care it needed.

Despite everyone`s best efforts, the crane sadly didn`t survive.

While this isn`t the ending any of us wanted, we believe these stories matter too. Behind a transport like this are volunteer staff and pilots, wildlife rehabilitators and their partners who generously give their time, skills, and hearts to help animals in need.

Not every life can be saved, but we believe every life is worth the effort.

Thank you to Kai and the team at Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary for answering the call and giving this young crane every possible chance.

View
46 2
Open
When an orphaned Sandhill Crane colt was found without its parents, every effort was made to give this little one a fighting chance. Volunteer pilot @kai.salvini flew the young bird from Earlton to our wildlife partners at @woodlandswildlifesanctuary where a team was ready to provide the specialized care it needed. Despite everyone's best efforts, the crane sadly didn't survive. While this isn't the ending any of us wanted, we believe these stories matter too. Behind a transport like this are volunteer staff and pilots, wildlife rehabilitators and their partners who generously give their time, skills, and hearts to help animals in need. Not every life can be saved, but we believe every life is worth the effort. Thank you to Kai and the team at Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary for answering the call and giving this young crane every possible chance.

When an orphaned Sandhill Crane colt was found without its parents, every effort was made to give this little one a fighting chance.

Volunteer pilot @kai.salvini flew the young bird from Earlton to our wildlife partners at @woodlandswildlifesanctuary where a team was ready to provide the specialized care it needed.

Despite everyone`s best efforts, the crane sadly didn`t survive.

While this isn`t the ending any of us wanted, we believe these stories matter too. Behind a transport like this are volunteer staff and pilots, wildlife rehabilitators and their partners who generously give their time, skills, and hearts to help animals in need.

Not every life can be saved, but we believe every life is worth the effort.

Thank you to Kai and the team at Woodlands Wildlife Sanctuary for answering the call and giving this young crane every possible chance. ...

46 2

Exciting things have taken flight at Canadian Wings of Rescue.

After listening to feedback from our rescue partners and volunteer pilots, we recently launched new customized web dashboards to help streamline animal transport coordination across our network.

These new tools will make it easier for rescues to submit and track requests and ultimately help more animals in need.

At the heart of it all is the same mission: connecting pilots who believe in public benefit flying with rescues helping animals get the second chances they deserve.

Thank you to our volunteer pilots and rescue partners across Canada for helping us continue to grow and improve.

Visit our request page here via the link in our bio!

View
13 0
Open
Exciting things have taken flight at Canadian Wings of Rescue. After listening to feedback from our rescue partners and volunteer pilots, we recently launched new customized web dashboards to help streamline animal transport coordination across our network. These new tools will make it easier for rescues to submit and track requests and ultimately help more animals in need. At the heart of it all is the same mission: connecting pilots who believe in public benefit flying with rescues helping animals get the second chances they deserve. Thank you to our volunteer pilots and rescue partners across Canada for helping us continue to grow and improve. Visit our request page here via the link in our bio!

Exciting things have taken flight at Canadian Wings of Rescue.

After listening to feedback from our rescue partners and volunteer pilots, we recently launched new customized web dashboards to help streamline animal transport coordination across our network.

These new tools will make it easier for rescues to submit and track requests and ultimately help more animals in need.

At the heart of it all is the same mission: connecting pilots who believe in public benefit flying with rescues helping animals get the second chances they deserve.

Thank you to our volunteer pilots and rescue partners across Canada for helping us continue to grow and improve.

Visit our request page here via the link in our bio! ...

13 0


0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    Continue Shopping