Saving Animals’ Lives
One Flight at a Time

Every year, thousands of shelter animals face critical transport shortages. Flying Tails coordinates heroic general aviation pilots with rescue organizations to airlift vulnerable pets and wildlife to safety. Fast, compassionate, and entirely donor-funded.

OUR MISSION

At Flying Tails, we believe no animal should face jeopardy due to geographical barriers. Founded by dedicated aviator Ken Wayne, our network of passionate rescue pilots connects high-risk animals in danger with safety via high-speed aircraft. By replacing stressful, multi-day ground transit with swift and compassionate flight pathways, we instantly bridge the gap between overcrowded shelters and safe foster havens.

MISSIONS OF COMPASSION

Our Airborne Impact Since 2020

Animals Transported Since 2020

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Rescue Flights

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Miles Flown

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Partner Organizations

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OUR MISSION IN THE SKIES

What We Do

Shelter Animal Transport

Relocating at-risk companion animals from overcrowded shelters to high-adoption regions via state-of-the-art compassionate air transit.

Wildlife Rescue

Providing emergency, high-speed aviation solutions for injured, threatened, or apex wildlife requiring immediate transport to specialized sanctuaries.

Disaster Response

Deploying relief aircraft instantly into active crisis zones to extract affected animals and deliver vital veterinary supply payloads.

Specialized Rescue Flights

Custom-designed flights utilizing climate-controlled systems and direct navigation plans for critical, high-urgency medical transports.

FEATURED RESCUE MISSION

Five Planes, Twelve Dogs, One Lifesaving Day

When Los Angeles shelters needed room for animals displaced by the January 2025 wildfires, Flying Tails assembled five volunteer aircraft and pilot crews for a coordinated rescue mission.

Twelve adoptable dogs flew from Van Nuys to receiving shelters in Northern California and Reno, opening kennel space in Los Angeles for pets separated from their families.

FEATURED PBS SPECIAL

See Flying Tails in Action

Follow our heroic pilots and resilient rescue animals in the acclaimed PBS documentary series. Witness the high-stakes flights, emotional reunions, and compassionate missions that bridge the gap between danger and safe havens.

VOLUNTEER FLIGHT CREWS

Pilots Wanted. Lives Are Waiting.

Use your aviation skills to save lives. Join a heroic rescue pilot network dedicated to transporting endangered wildlife and rescue pets to safety.

ALLIED IN ANIMAL RESCUE

Our Partners in Rescue

Flying Tails Animal Rescue is deeply grateful to our sponsors for their invaluable partnership in helping us save animals’ lives, one flight at a time.

LATEST MISSIONS

Rescue Flights in Action

Discover how our heroic pilots and dedicated partners navigate the skies to deliver hope, safety, and a second chance at life.

SHELTER RESCUE

Mango’s Journey

Facing euthanasia in an overcrowded Alabama shelter, Mango flew to a specialized New York sanctuary in a four-hour rescue flight.

WILDLIFE RESCUE

The Castaic Cub’s Journey North

An orphaned mountain lion cub found near Castaic flew north to the specialized wildlife rehabilitation care he needed.