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Retired pilots help place rescued animals in new homes

By Chip Washington - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook

OLIVE BRANCH, MS (WMC-TV) - A non-profit organization based in Knoxville is working locally to help transport rescued animals to good homes.

Pilot Jim Carney took time to Friday to speak the virtues of the Pilots N Paws program.

"I can still fly, which I love, and I can help dogs," he said. "I'm a dog lover, and I can help animals get to their new homes and hopefully forever homes."

Carney, a retired airline pilot, is one of a 1,000 volunteer pilots working with the nationwide Pilots N Paws program since it began two years ago. They work with shelters to rescue abused dogs and take them to safer environments.

Samantha is a dog that was rescued by the Collierville Animal shelter and is now headed to a Doberman rescue facility in Ohio.

The shelter's Nina Wingfield says providing a better life for these animals is a priority.

"We have so many dogs we can help with, and with Samantha on her way to a better situation, it opens up a cage for us to take another animal that needs us," Wingfield said.

For Carney, uniting pets with new families brings him joy.

"They all come out and get their pets," he said. "You see a little boy put his arm around his new black lab and give it a kiss, it brings tears to your eyes. It's happiness."

For more information about the program, click here.

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