About Us
Flying Tails is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a simple mission: Fly at-risk animals to safety. In practice, that mission covers a lot of ground—and a lot of lives.
Flying Tails pilots transport dogs and cats out of overcrowded shelters to prevent euthanasia. They fly orphaned bear cubs and mountain lions to licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers, where they are raised and ultimately returned to the wild. They transport injured Bald Eagles and other raptors to specialized aviaries for treatment—and then fly them home once they recover. When animals are in danger and time matters, Flying Tails provides the fastest, most humane option available.
The organization was founded by former KTVU and KRON reporter and anchor Ken Wayne and his wife, former United Airlines flight attendant Carole Moschetti. The idea began with a small plane flight to Baja, where they rescued a street dog named Mango. That single rescue led to more flights, then more requests from shelters and wildlife agencies. Eventually, Ken walked away from a 40-year television news career to devote himself full-time to building Flying Tails into a professional aerial rescue operation.
Today, Flying Tails supports California Fish and Wildlife, the UC Davis Raptor Center, the Marine Mammal Center, Dogwood Animal Rescue, and many other organizations across California and the U.S. Ken has also recruited and coordinated volunteer pilots nationwide, including organizing air rescues for dogs displaced by the Palisades fire in Los Angeles. Flying Tails is proud to have flown the first mountain lion to its release site for California Fish & Wildlife.
Because of the uniqueness and impact of this work, PBS approached Ken to create a television series documenting these rescues. The first episode of Flying Tails aired on PBS KVIE Sacramento in November 2025 and was distributed nationally on March 27. Ken is now producing a 6-episode season slated for release in early 2027, highlighting volunteer pilots who serve as first responders for animals in crisis.
The purpose of the series is bigger than storytelling. It raises national awareness about the issues facing domestic animals and wildlife, the professionals who care for them, and the volunteer pilots who use their own aircraft, time, and resources to save lives. The long-term goal is to build a national Flying Tails first-response air network—ready at a moment’s notice when animals are in danger.
