Local Dog Rescue To Fly 100th Rescue Mission

Pittstown, NJ – Dog-lover Matthew Kiener, Founder and Chief Volunteer Pilot for Fly Pups, will fly the organization’s 100th rescue flight on Friday, June 2, bringing 24 dogs and puppies from Georgia to New Jersey for adoption. Founded in 2011, Fly Pup’s volunteers work to transport dogs from desperate situations to safe, non-kill shelters and adoption events. The use of small planes for transport decreases travel time for these dogs, in some cases from days on the road to a few hours in the air. Many dogs have been through circumstances rendering them fragile, and making the stresses of a lengthy road trip hard on their physical and emotional health.

Based at Sky Manor Airport in Pittstown NJ, FlyPups has rescued nearly 1,400 dogs from as far away as Oklahoma, Florida, and Georgia.

The dogs on this 100th mission are in the care of Southern Comfort Animal Rescue (SoCo). They will go into short term foster care in homes in NJ, with SoCo volunteers who provide care, housing and training to the dogs while they await adoption.

“We share a mission with FlyPups – to save dogs from desperate situations and help them find fur-ever homes,” said Scott Bennett, founder and President of SoCo Rescue. “We are so grateful for their ongoing help.”

FlyPups began working with SoCo in October 2021, when Bennett’s “Freedom Bus” broke down on the 850 mile drive to New Jersey from Tarrytown Georgia, one of the poorest areas of that state. Since then, they have flown several missions for SoCo, bringing hundreds of SoCo dogs to New Jersey for adoption. On the flights south, FlyPups fills their planes with hundreds of pounds of dog food, supplies and equipment donated in New Jersey to support the rescue.

“The limited shelters here are full, so unwanted dogs and puppies, and those who have been abused or neglected are euthanized quickly. SoCo steps in to help these animals, provide medical care and neutering, and get them to New Jersey where dog lovers await. On any given day, there are more than 50 dogs and puppies in SoCo’s care.

For this adoption event, to be held on Saturday, June 2 from 10AM to 2PM, SoCo will partner with Tractor Supply in Ringos NJ, who will host the adoption. Learn more at SoCoRescue.com.

Learn more about FlyPups at flypups.org