Nonprofit flies shelter dogs north to improve adoption chances

OCEAN ISLE, NC (WWAY)– In Ocean Isle Beach, one group is flying animals north in an effort to save them.

On Sunday, a rescue flight departed from Odell Williamson Airport in Ocean Isle Beach to New Jersey, transporting six dogs to shelters where their chances of adoption are higher.

“Pilots to the Rescue,” a nonprofit organization, transports at-risk animals from under-resourced shelters to rescue and adoption centers where they can receive care.

Michael Schneider, the founder and one of the pilots, said the mission is driven by a difficult reality. He says it’s more common to euthanize animals in the south, than the north.

“There’s really no reason to euthanize a perfectly adoptable animal,” Schneider said. “Just let them be stray, let them be out in the wild. They may not live as long, but it’s a lot better than euthanizing. You only need to euthanize aggressive animals.”

Schneider said his organization has rescued more than 6,000 animals, most of them being dogs and cats. The group has also helped transport endangered species, including wolves and sea turtles.