Canadian Wings of Rescue

Canadian Wings of Rescue

Canadian Wings of Rescue / Uncategorized  / Flying for Felines: How Volunteer Pilots Gave 26 Cats a Second Chance

Flying for Felines: How Volunteer Pilots Gave 26 Cats a Second Chance

What does it take to fly a clowder of cats in a small aircraft? This summer, two of our volunteer pilots found out!

This summer, Canadian Wings of Rescue completed two back-to-back missions from northern B.C., transporting an incredible 26 cats to shelters in B.C.’s Lower Mainland. Nineteen cats flew in one mission, and seven in the other. Each journey a lifeline for animals waiting on a second chance and for shelters stretched to their limits.

Three CWoR pilots take to the skies
One of those flights was piloted by first-time CWoR volunteer pilot, Jonathan M., a Victoria-based volunteer. For Jonathan, this mission carried special meaning.

Pilot Jonathan M. and friends on this very special journey.

“When I was about 12 years old, I used to rescue stray cats in rural Nova Scotia and re-home them from a trailer in my parents’ backyard,” Jonathan shared.

“This flight brought everything full circle for me. It combined three things I care deeply about: aviation, giving back, and new adventures.”

The second transport was a team effort: volunteer pilots Brad R. and Walter C. worked in tandem to cover the distance, with one flying the cats from northern B.C. to Kelowna and the other completing the journey to the Lower Mainland.

Pilots Brad and Walter completing the hand-off in Kelowna.



Thanks to their collaboration, seven more cats arrived safely into the hands of shelters ready to help them find adoptive families.
Together, these two missions meant 26 lives saved, shelter space freed, and renewed hope for adoption.

For our rescue partners, large-scale transports can be the difference between having to turn animals away and being able to say yes to the next one in need.

Felines taking flight
Flying animals, especially dozens of them at once, isn’t as simple as hopping in a plane. Each transport requires careful planning, from weather checks and fuel stops to ensuring every animal is safely and comfortably secured in carriers. With safety for both pilots and animals as our top priority, every detail matters.

Cat passengers tucked in safely.


Some of the considerations include:

  • Weight and balance: Every carrier adds pounds that must be distributed for stability. Each aircraft has a strict weight limit.
  • Comfort and animal welfare: Cats are sensitive to noise and vibration, so crates must be secure and proper airflow maintained.
  • Space management: With so many passengers, pilots must balance animal welfare with safe flight operations.

It’s a unique puzzle—and one our volunteers embrace with skill and compassion.




A community that makes it possible

Behind every mission are volunteer pilots donating their time, fuel, and aircraft; operations volunteers coordinating logistics; and rescue partners welcoming animals into care. Without this teamwork, flights like these wouldn’t be possible.

Whether it’s one cat or nineteen, every flight tells the same story: people coming together to give animals a second chance. And that’s what keeps us flying.

Cheryl

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Happy Air Traffic Controller Day!

Air traffic controllers are the unseen guides keeping our skies safe, coordinating aircraft movements, managing airspace, and ensuring pilots have what they need for safe flights.

Here at Canadian Wings of Rescue, we're fortunate to have ATCs on our team through our volunteers who also act as our pilots! They bring expertise that helps us navigate complex airspace and coordinate rescue flights across the country for all of our beloved animals.

To all the air traffic controllers, thank you for keeping everyone safe up there. We're happy to work with you on every important rescue.

Happy Air Traffic Controller Day!

Air traffic controllers are the unseen guides keeping our skies safe, coordinating aircraft movements, managing airspace, and ensuring pilots have what they need for safe flights.

Here at Canadian Wings of Rescue, we`re fortunate to have ATCs on our team through our volunteers who also act as our pilots! They bring expertise that helps us navigate complex airspace and coordinate rescue flights across the country for all of our beloved animals.

To all the air traffic controllers, thank you for keeping everyone safe up there. We`re happy to work with you on every important rescue.
...

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This summer has been incredible for Canadian Wings of Rescue – we've completed over 25 life-saving transports across Canada. Whether flying animals to forever homes, urgent medical care, foster families, or safe shelters, each flight represents a critical lifeline for these precious souls.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the amazing volunteers who coordinate these transports, our rescue partners who trust us with their animals, the foster families who open their hearts and homes, and especially our volunteer pilots who donate their time, skills, and aircraft to make these rescues possible.

As we head into the colder months, our commitment doesn't waver. Winter weather won't ground our compassion! If you know of any animal in need of transport to safety, medical care, or a new beginning anywhere across Canada, please reach out. 

Together, we're bridging distances and saving lives, one flight at a time.

This summer has been incredible for Canadian Wings of Rescue – we`ve completed over 25 life-saving transports across Canada. Whether flying animals to forever homes, urgent medical care, foster families, or safe shelters, each flight represents a critical lifeline for these precious souls.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the amazing volunteers who coordinate these transports, our rescue partners who trust us with their animals, the foster families who open their hearts and homes, and especially our volunteer pilots who donate their time, skills, and aircraft to make these rescues possible.

As we head into the colder months, our commitment doesn`t waver. Winter weather won`t ground our compassion! If you know of any animal in need of transport to safety, medical care, or a new beginning anywhere across Canada, please reach out.

Together, we`re bridging distances and saving lives, one flight at a time.
...

20 0
We're grateful for this wonderful community of animal and aviation lovers! 

Behind every rescue flight is a team of heroes - pilots donating their time, rescues working tirelessly to support animals,  airports and fixed-base operators (FBOs) offering support, and those volunteering behind the scenes. 

We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for helping us get animals to safety and new beginnings. ❤️

We`re grateful for this wonderful community of animal and aviation lovers!

Behind every rescue flight is a team of heroes - pilots donating their time, rescues working tirelessly to support animals, airports and fixed-base operators (FBOs) offering support, and those volunteering behind the scenes.

We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you for helping us get animals to safety and new beginnings. ❤️
...

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