One-person crusade to save animals

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A one-person crusade to save animals, from so-called kill shelters, made a stop in western New York Wednesday.

Kevin Ayres piloted a Cessna from Mason, Ohio, carrying five pups that may have ended up in a kill shelter if it weren't for the Pilots and Paws Program.

The Pilots and Paws program is often the difference between life and death for thousands of dogs and cats.

Volunteers from across the nation take their own time and resources to transport thousands of animals to safe shelters, so that they may be saved and find good homes.

"Literally our mission is saving God's lost canines one at a time," said Deb Bodenschatz, President of Akron K9 Rescued Angels.

The recession has forced many families to give up their pets and as a result more and more animals have ended up in these kill shelters.

"It's not all the rescue rejects or dogs that are all sickly, or been abused A lot of people have the misconception that rescue dogs are not worthwhile," said Bodenschatz.

Parents are bringing a perfectly healthy black lab puppy back home as a birthday present to their children.

But not all of the transferred pets are perfectly healthy. Some are malnourished or may have endured other medical problems.

Julie Garvey of the Pet Connection Programs in East Aurora takes in puppies, maternity dogs and some that maybe sick.

This is a 24/7 operation where about 200 volunteers are busy bathing the dogs, feeding them, giving them walks and just keeping them healthy and happy.

Once the dogs are healthy, she then finds them a good home.

Garvey has been rescuing animals, bringing them back to health and finding them loving homes since 1984.

As for the The Pilots and Paws Program, they plan to transfer 5,000 dogs to safe shelters by September 20th.