JD was mentored by API and RV2TheRescue 7 years ago. I took him on his first intro flight when he was 12 and his little brother who didn't really want to fly. Both are now Utah CAP cadets. JD has just been accepted to CAP Flight Program this summer where he will continue his training.

In honor of our good friend and aircraft mechanic, Bruce Springer, 

RV2TheRescue and Aviation Partners are giving away these Koss earbuds to local kids for Christmas.

Matt Cronin is working towards becoming a professional pilot.  He loves to fly for a cause. Matt just completed his recue flight indoctrination and promptly volunteered to fly these "butterballs" to a safe rescue in Sacramento.  Thanks to a caring and compassionate volunteer in Fresno, who was able to prevent them from going into the Fresno Shelter. After landing in Sacramento, they were driven to their rescue in the Northern Sacramento area.

Marsha Nichols from Clovis, Ca has been a supporter of RV2TheRescue for a long time.  She participated in donating to our fund raising airplane rides to helping us with transport.  Interestingly, Max is the second Pug Marsha has transported for us.  Since she was coming north from Fresno, she was able to pick up Max, a stray found in the streets of Fresno.  I was able to meet Marsha and make the drive from Modesto to Novato, to meet up with Molly Folley, a volunteer/foster for West Coast Pug Rescue.  Molly also volunteers with Marin Humane.  We are confident Max will find a good home soon.

Muttville here we come!  Two senior kennel mates were saved from Stanislaus high kill shelter Friday.  Our transport hero’s are Tom Watson from Rio Vista and RVW Freewheeler, Brenda Ribbs.  Muttville is one of California’s premier rescue organizations that specializes in finding homes for these senior “throw aways”.  They will be available for adoption soon.

Four years ago Ryan Black took an introductory learn to fly flight, sponsored by Aviation Partners and the Kids Can Fly program. Recently, he contacted Sue Clark regarding his interest in becoming a vet tech and also becoming a pilot. He asked Sue if she would mentor him for a school project.  Part of his project was to collect donations for distribution to animal shelters and foster families in California.

Ryan will be participating in flights throughout California to deliver these supplies.  He is also creating a method to help raise funds for rescue agencies. This is the first load of supplies soon to be delivered.

So many animals to rescue and lucky we have many people and modes of transportation to help us. A responsible and helpful citizen saw this dog being dumped in front of an apartment complex in Fresno.  This nice man in Woodland, with Yolo Co Spay Neuter, took this dog in and fostered him. Carol Hallacy, RV2 volunteer, drove the dog from Fresno to Modesto. Sue and Dale drove the puppy from Modesto to Woodland. Amazing coordinating team rescue! This 7 week old puppy is up for adoption in a few weeks. There are many dogs available at Muttville in San Francisco.

What is a vegan doing at Harris Ranch Steakhouse.   Picking up a steak for his lovely wife, of course! Rio Vistan volunteer, James Long is known for his long haul transports as seen here with an Avenal Shelter dog.

Thanks to our supporters, compassionate Avenal animal control personnel and Portland Oregon's Sacred PAWZ Rescue!

Savings Senior Dogs are always a challenge for shelters, finding loving homes for these cast aside dogs is often the hardest to place.  It is the senior dogs, the ones with health issues that seem to abandoned most by their lifelong families and owners.  They have a special place in our heart, so when we can assist with the transport of a senior dog that is high on the euthanasia list, we don't hesitate.

This dog is one of the lucky ones that was rescued by Fuzzybutt Rescue of San Francisco,  which specializes in rescuing cats, but this dog caught their eye when Modesto shelter workers and other volunteers put forth their best efforts to place this 10 yo pitbull mix.

We are grateful for the support of so many to make a difference one dog at a time.

If you're a dog and you wind up in a SoCal shelter don't cough, or you will be moved to the top of the euthanasia list.  This is where Milo found himself until Bubbles Dog Rescue offered to take him and find him a new home.  Thanks to Sharon Pearce for driving Milo the final leg from Fairfield to Olivehurst to join his new family.

She is taking her 4 puppies... Idaho, Yukon, Chip and Masher with her.  RV2TheRescue was able to help spring her from the Manteca Animal Shelter just in time for the new year.  A 209 mile journey in some challenging weather.  All are safe and happy in their foster home.  Way to go Casa de Love!

A last minute change of plans due to storms took place on Thursday.  Pilots Ron, Chris and Harvest made the quick dash to Stockton and back to drop off the cats to Nine Lives in Redwood City.

This social dog and people friendly dog needs a home.  He is up for adoption in Fresno.  $25.00.

RV2TheRescue was invited to participate in the Barktoberfest held in Rocklin, Ca a couple weeks ago.  Hundreds of friendly dogs and their owners attended this full day event to raise awareness and support for those organizations that support animal rescue.   The event was sponsored by the Placer County SPCA.   Tiffani and Sue manned the booth and talked to lots of visitors about how RV2TheRescue helps transport cats and dogs from various shelters throughout California.

RV2TheRescue volunteer Marcia Frankhouser responded to an urgent transport request for two little poodles with strangles, a curable immune system problem, that is sometimes found in very young puppies.

Marcia was very attentive to the puppies on the long drive from San Jose to Sacramento, where the next relay driver was waiting for their ride to Casa de Love in Redding, Ca.

It was hard not to fall in love with these two cuties who could not see from their faces being so matted and barely able to stand.

Good news.  We learned that Marcia is hoping to adopt BOTH these little nuggets!

Thank you for volunteering for RV2TheRescue!

Volunteer Marcia attending to the two poodle puppies

Tiffani Shiro and Sue Clark wasted no time in flying to the Fresno Chandler Airport.  Waiting the arrival of Piper Archer 47225 was Mona Ahmed and 5 small pups that barely escaped being euthanized.

Moving into northern Ca was a storm deemed to be one of the worst in a 100 years.

Quickly loaded and we were off.  NorCal provided expert traffic advisories along our route.  There is a Beale TFR on our course to Chico, Ca.  This is one of the few TFR’s that a pilot may fly thru provided you have flight following.  Just to be safe, we talked to NorCal to confirm permission to transit the TFR. We were starting to encounter rain showers and lowering ceilings.  A quick turn had us headed back to Sacramento Executive Airport, landing before the ensuing heavy rain.

500 miles, 5 hours flying and 5 lives saved!

We only had one disgruntled passenger, the cattle dog barked after landing.

The Solano County Animal Shelter in Fairfield, Ca. was very excited to receive dog and cat food, blankets, towels, bowls, collars, leashes and pee pad donations from many of the citizens of Rio Vista.  Transportation of the donations was provided by volunteer and golfer friend Mitchella Ybarra.

Way to go team RV2TheRescue!

This cute and adorable 10 week old Husky-Lab mix casually awaits his transportation from Turlock to Rio Vista Ca. where he will then be heading to Sacramento, Ca. to a wonderful foster for adoption.

Volunteer 

RV2TheRescue participated in the Rio Vista Hog August Bites celebration on Saturday.  We had plenty of visitors who stopped by to learn about our rescue efforts and how they can help.  We even had some 4 legged visitors.

A young puppy that is in herding training and Fred who is wearing a cooling vest.

Volunteer pilots Bill Stigle and Clarissa Spears fully loaded up their airplane with supplies for the animal victims of the Lava fire. They flew the supplies to the Montague Airport where they were met by the rescue staff who were anxious to receive the supplies intended for the cat evacuation center as well as the ranch. Donations included dog and cat food, leashes, toys, and even an elevated dog bed.

Great effort Bill and Clarissa!

*For more details about the Lava fire rescue click here

 Here is an example of a dog dumped and left to die at a shelter in Fresno because it had mange.

Danielle Keener, of Lemoore, Ca rushed to the shelter to claim him before his scheduled euthanization took place. With a little care and concern, 2 days later and he can open his eyes and see someone really cares.  

Way to go Danielle!

Update: Barely hanging on to life with a severe case of mange, little Ms Rosie Posie has miraculously recovered under the excellent care from Danielle, Kings County SPCA.  They take the worst of the worst cases of neglect.  Godspeed lil Rosie!

 Mona Elliott receives donations from St Joseph’s Church kids as part of their Catechism class for Lent. Thanks to Jackie Evans for her wonderful leadership on behalf of St Joseph’s Catholic Church. The kids had a chance to take a close up look at the Cherokee Airplane used for many of the animal transports arranged by RV2theRescue.

 Thanks so much to pilot Kevin who teaches Aviation Maintenance at Sacramento City college by day, and rescues kittens when needed. On this mission Kevin transported 40 cat, mostly babies as young as 3 weeks old from Visalia and flew them to Rio Vista airport where they were met by the folks from Kitty 911 of Antioch . They will see to the cats foster care needs and find each of them a wonderful family.

A cat with a birds-eye view

Nate D., flew to Visalia and then to Rio Vista to transport 17 kittens that were heading to Kitty 911 Rescue in Antioch, where they will find their way to loving forever homes. In flight, Nate, a pilot from Marin Ca. braved strong winds to transport the kitties, safe and sound. Good job Nate!

We wanted to share this post from Dogwood Animal Rescue Project because it typifies the work that rescues do day in and day out. A new life for Garrett . Watch the transformation from living alone outside on a chain to loved, adored member of the family. THIS is why we rescue. So dogs like Garrett can live the lives they deserve. Making a difference one animal at a time. www.dogwoodanimalrescue.org