ANSWERS BEFORE TAKEOFF

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Whether you want to support a rescue flight, request help for an animal, volunteer as a pilot, or partner with our mission, you’ll find answers to the most common questions below.

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PILOTS NEEDED

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Choose a category and open any question to learn more. These answers are a helpful starting point; mission availability and requirements may vary.

DONATIONS

Donations help Flying Tails coordinate and carry out animal rescue flights, including the aviation, logistics, communication, and mission-support costs required to move vulnerable animals safely. Gifts also help strengthen the organization so it can respond when rescue partners need transportation.

Flying Tails Animal Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 93-1420194. Donations are generally tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Please retain your donation receipt and consult a qualified tax professional about your individual circumstances.

If recurring giving is offered on the donation form, select the recurring option and the amount that works for you. Reliable monthly support helps Flying Tails plan ahead and remain ready for future rescue missions.

Tribute gifts are a meaningful way to celebrate a person or animal while supporting lifesaving transportation. Use any dedication option provided on the donation form. If one is not available, contact Flying Tails before donating so the team can advise you.

Opportunities may be available to support a featured animal, rescue flight, disaster response, or another current need. Because missions and costs change, please review the current campaigns or contact Flying Tails for the best available option.

Online donors should receive a confirmation or receipt through the donation system. Keep it for your records. If you do not receive one, contact Flying Tails with the name, date, and amount of the donation so the team can help locate it.

ANIMALS & RESCUE FLIGHTS

Flying Tails supports the safe transport of vulnerable companion animals and wildlife when aviation can help bridge the distance between danger and appropriate care. Every mission depends on the animal’s needs, partner coordination, available aircraft, qualified personnel, weather, and safety considerations.

Flying Tails is primarily an animal-transport organization, not a public adoption agency. Animals are generally handled through established shelters, rescues, wildlife rehabilitators, sanctuaries, or other qualified partners. Please contact the organization responsible for the animal about adoption.

Flying Tails cannot promise transportation for privately owned pets or every individual request. The organization generally coordinates missions with established rescue and animal-care partners. You may contact Flying Tails with the details, but availability, mission fit, and safety requirements determine whether assistance is possible.

Send Flying Tails the animal’s location, destination, species, approximate size or weight, medical or handling needs, requested timing, and the organizations responsible at both ends. A request is not confirmed until Flying Tails has reviewed the mission and provided direct confirmation.

Timing varies. Aircraft and pilot availability, weather, airport access, distance, animal condition, paperwork, receiving arrangements, and other safety factors all affect scheduling. Urgent requests should include complete information, but submission does not guarantee a flight.

Each mission is planned around the animal, aircraft, route, weather, and guidance from participating rescue or animal-care professionals. Appropriate carriers, secure loading, clear handoffs, and careful coordination help reduce stress and support safe transport.

VOLUNTEER PILOTS

Flying Tails welcomes inquiries from safety-minded aviators who want to use their skills to help animals. Current guidance calls for a valid private pilot license, at least 250 hours of pilot-in-command time, and access to an owned or rented aircraft. Final participation depends on Flying Tails’ review and mission requirements.

Not necessarily. Qualified pilots may use an aircraft they own or rent, provided the aircraft, insurance, operating permissions, and mission plan meet all applicable requirements.

Expense arrangements can vary by mission and volunteer role. Pilots should discuss fuel, aircraft rental, reimbursement, tax considerations, and other operating costs with Flying Tails before accepting a flight. Do not assume an expense is reimbursable unless confirmed in advance.

Useful aircraft vary with distance, payload, runway access, weather, animal size, carrier requirements, and mission urgency. Flying Tails reviews each proposed aircraft and pilot combination for the specific mission.

Some missions and organizational needs may benefit from help with coordination, ground transport, animal handoffs, outreach, events, photography, communications, or other support. Available roles change, so contact Flying Tails and describe your experience and availability.

Visit the Pilots Needed page and submit the requested information. Flying Tails will review your qualifications, aircraft access, location, experience, and availability before discussing possible missions.

RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS

Flying Tails works with established animal shelters, rescue groups, wildlife rehabilitators, sanctuaries, veterinary or animal-care organizations, and other qualified partners. Requests are evaluated individually and must include responsible contacts and confirmed arrangements at both ends.

Provide complete origin and destination contacts, airport or ground-transport details, the animal’s species, number, size, weight, carrier dimensions, temperament, medical or handling needs, requested timeline, and any required permits or records.

No. Flying Tails must consider mission fit, animal welfare, pilot and aircraft availability, weather, airports, timing, regulations, documentation, and safety. A mission is confirmed only when Flying Tails communicates that confirmation directly.

Responsibilities are coordinated before each mission. Sending and receiving organizations should be prepared to provide reliable contacts, safe animal handling, suitable carriers, required records, and timely ground transportation unless Flying Tails confirms another arrangement.

PARTNERS & SPONSORS

Businesses can help through financial sponsorship, in-kind support, aviation services, fuel, equipment, transportation, veterinary resources, communications, employee engagement, or mission-specific assistance. Flying Tails can discuss opportunities that align with the mission and the sponsor’s capabilities.

Sponsorship opportunities may be tailored around current missions, programs, events, media, or organizational needs. Contact Flying Tails to discuss availability, recognition, benefits, and the most useful way to participate.

Mission-specific support may be possible when an appropriate flight or campaign is available. Because rescue needs and flight costs vary, Flying Tails should confirm the opportunity and recognition details before a company promotes the sponsorship.

Yes, when the contribution meets a genuine operational need. Potential in-kind partners should describe the product or service, quantity, location, timing, restrictions, and estimated value so Flying Tails can determine whether it can be used responsibly.

ABOUT FLYING TAILS

Flying Tails is a nonprofit animal-rescue organization that uses aviation to help move vulnerable animals from danger or limited options toward appropriate care and safety. It connects volunteer pilots, rescue organizations, animal-care professionals, donors, and supporters around lifesaving transport missions.

Flying Tails was founded by aviator Ken Wayne, whose passion for flying and helping animals inspired a mission focused on compassionate rescue transportation by air.

Flying Tails Animal Rescue is based in Sonoma, California, and coordinates missions according to rescue needs, partner locations, pilot availability, aircraft capability, and safety.

Yes. Flying Tails Animal Rescue is identified as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 93-1420194.

Visit the Rescue Stories and Rescue Videos sections of the website to see Flying Tails missions, animals, pilots, and partners in action. You can also follow Flying Tails through the social channels linked in the site footer.

Use the website’s Contact page for general questions, partnership inquiries, volunteer interest, and rescue-flight information. For a possible mission, include as many logistical and animal-care details as possible.

READY TO HELP?

EVERY SAFE ARRIVAL STARTS WITH SOMEONE WHO CARES.

Donate, fly, partner, or help share the mission. Together, we can give more animals a faster path to safety.

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