Summer is finally here, and PTTR is capitalizing on this nice weather by rescuing more homeless pets from greater distances all over the U.S. We started off June with an emergency rescue of 16 dogs who were literally scheduled to be euthanized just hours before PTTR and our shelter partner swooped in. 🙌🏽 🤗

Throughout the rest of the month, we rescued a total of 55 dogs and 17 cats from overcrowded shelters in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

In this month’s newsletter, you can meet some of the animals we rescued and learn how we coordinated these life-saving missions. With July 4th around the corner, you can also read some new tips for keeping your dog calm during those panic-inducing firework shows!

Thank you for your support in making these missions possible! 💙

This beautiful friendly face belongs to young Rocko, who would not be alive today were it not for PTTR and our incredible shelter partners at The Second Hand Dog Rescue, Inc. in Rochester, New York.

On Sunday, June 2nd, the Second Hand Dog Rescue received a message from the Polk County, GA Animal Adoption and Recovery Center saying that 8 adult dogs and 8 puppies were scheduled to be euthanized the following morning.

That left the Second Hand Dog Rescue with just a few hours to coordinate emergency transport, but they knew exactly who to call: Pilots To The Rescue!

In an unbelievable display of loyalty and dedication, our AMAZING driver - Albert Picewicz - drove PTTR’s Paw-ty Van overnight to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to pick up Rocko along with his fellow paw-ssengers Maylan, Strait, Sugar, Little Bit, Muffin, Brownie, Momma, and her newborn puppies. 🐶 🐶 🐶 Thanks to this rescue, Momma’s puppies don’t have to spend the first fragile years of their lives growing up in an overcrowded shelter, where they likely would have developed severe behavioral issues.

Pictured below are Little Bit (left) and Sugar (right), who is extra grateful to be alive considering she was PREGNANT at the time of the rescue!

PTTR Drives Over 900 Miles to Bring 17 Dogs to Safety

Pictured here is one of the nine 4-week-old puppies Albert rescued on June 9th along with six more dogs.

Beginning in our home state of New Jersey, Albert drove down south to Greenville, South Carolina, where he received the dogs from Fulton County Animal Services and the Forsyth County Pet Resource Center.

Albert then drove more than 900 miles all the way up to Carthage, New York, which is right on New York’s border with Canada. 😍 🇨🇦



The dogs were then received by the lovely staff members of The Canine Project, Inc.

Playing a huge role in this rescue was Danielle from Sweet Home Doberman Rescue, who coordinated with Fulton County Animal Services and the Forsyth County Pet Resource Center to prevent these paw-ssengers from being euthanized.

Among Albert’s furry cargo for this mission were three fun-loving German Shepherd mixes named Queso, Cherry, and Nacho, a.k.a. The Three Amigos!

This month, the spotlight goes to Sy Blechman, who has contributed to PTTR as a board member and volunteer pilot since 2016. Like many members of the PTTR team, Sy has always had dogs in his life, and he is now the proud papa of an adorable Cockapoo named Piper.

Before joining PTTR, Sy worked in the garment industry, running a successful business for more than 25 years. He eventually developed a passion for aviation through his son and his uncle, both of whom are licensed pilots.

During the early 2000s, Sy embarked on a very special father-son flight, which inspired him to get his pilot’s license as well.

Since becoming a pilot, Sy has logged over 1,000 flight hours and piloted his Piper Archer on several PTTR missions. 💪🏼 🛬

Alongside his responsibilities at PTTR, Sy currently serves as a board member for multiple animal rescue organizations. He also supports a host of major animal rescue charities and nonprofits including PETA, the ASPCA, and the Humane Society of the United States.

Despite his previous success as a business owner, Sy frequently says that nothing compares to the feeling of saving innocent furry lives.💓 In the coming years, he intends to continue fostering PTTR’s growth while participating in more PTTR missions with his colleague and trusted friend, PTTR Top Dog Michael Schneider!

Adoption Tip of the Month 💡

There are few holidays pet parents dread more than July 4th. It’s not just the loud noise of fireworks that sends dogs into a panic: It’s the fact that they can’t see where the noise is coming from. Fireworks also carry a heavy but unfamiliar smell, which makes the experience even more overwhelming. Imagine you’re just minding your own business one day, and then you're suddenly bombarded with loud noises, completely out of nowhere. Wouldn’t you have a difficult time convincing yourself that you’re not in danger?

Fortunately, there are several things you can do to minimize your furry friend’s panic during this year’s fireworks show. 💥 🇺🇸 First off, it’s important to stay with your dog throughout the show, since leaving them alone will only make them panic even more. So, before any fireworks start, make sure you’re cozy and settled inside with your dog.

Second, if your dog seeks reassurance, don’t hesitate to give them all the attention and comfort they need. Ignoring them won’t help. But if you need a break, you might want to keep your dog busy with their favorite toys or games.

Lastly, try your best to stay calm and relaxed yourself. Remember, dogs can sense when their owners are anxious. If your dog gets so scared they make a mess inside, don’t get mad. This is completely understandable given the circumstances. So, try to behave as if it’s just another normal night, but be prepared to be extra nice to your pet on this difficult day for the canine kingdom.

Our Drivers Need Your Help to Go On More Rescues 🚨

You may have noticed that our drivers, Albert and Adrian (pictured here with some lucky kittens), have been very busy lately. This is because our main plane is undergoing maintenance, and PTTR wants to continue saying "yes" when one of our shelter partners contacts us about an urgent rescue.

However, our ability to drive thousands of miles on a weekly basis directly depends on YOU. Even the smallest contribution to PTTR puts more gas in our vehicles so we can keep going on these long drives - and we will, week after week. But only with your help. ⛽ 🚛 🚦

Our loyal community is the only reason we were able to complete so many rescues in June. So, from the bottom of our hearts, we'd like to thank you for your continued support and belief in our cause. Your contributions are taking pets out of danger and into loving homes, where they can change the lives of their new families forever.

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