Because most critters won't talk down to you for doing something your passionate about. And tell you how much better of a person you'd be if you did their idea instead.
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Ah, yes I knew this would be coming
I started my organization because of restrictions around those organizations - most Angel flight organizations (AFE,AFW,PALS) have stiff requirements around hours and certifications; I believe in part some of these are set between lawyers and the FAA, for good reason. By the time I meet some of those requirements, I'll have helped save well over 500 to 1000 animals from euthanasia. You don't need anything special to help save an animal.
I did join Angel Flight East, out of Blue Bell PA as a ground volunteer, and after having conversations with their director, I found that there is usually never a shortage of pilots willing to fly their patients where they need to go. Additionally, they will pay for commercial flights if for some reason a volunteer pilot cannot. In the animal rescue world, thousands of animals are put down every single day, simply because they cannot get to areas where they would be adopted.
So, I found a way to make a positive difference with my ability to fly in a different way. No good deed goes unpunished, and I've learned to have a thick skin in the non profit world, so sarcasm doesn't bother me. I've done a lot of research and have had nothing but support from my local FSDO.
This year alone I've spent over $6,000 of my own money, renting aircraft and transporting animals from kill shelters to places they will be adopted and allowed to live. The goal is to own an aircraft under the non profit, to bring my operating costs down $30 to $40 per hour from where they are now, which increases my efficiency and allows me to help save even more animals. For $80 to $90 per hour, a C182 could allow me to transport up to 30 animals 100 to 140 miles in one hour, as opposed to the maximum of about 15 I can transport now, at over $120 per hour.
There will always be critics, but I sleep OK at night doing what I do
Because most critters won't talk down to you for doing something your passionate about. And tell you how much better of a person you'd be if you did their idea instead.
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............yawn.
What part of PA are you from, Paul?
South Eastern, just outside of Philly, 10 minutes from KPTW and 40 min from KDYL. I trained at and fly from KDYL as I'm checked out in all of the Pipers (minus the Arrow) and Cessna's there so I always have options for transports. Right now I use the Archers the most as I can load up to about 15 dogs in one and still have full tanks.
I put a wanted ad on trade-a-plane
http://www.trade-a-plane.com/detail/2155735.html
But you also have a genius for an attorney!
Paul, does Penn Airways care if you fly 15 dogs in one of their rentals?
Also to clarify a few things: First Angel Flight East nor any other PBFO for that matter can ever have enough pilots, sometimes filling missions can be a challenge. Also sticking someone on an airline if a pilot can't be found is not always that simple. The cost is high and more importantly many people who need the services of AFE or other Public Benefit Flying Organizations (PBFOs) are immune compromised so airline travel may not be an option medically.
So that said, there are many folks who like to fly dogs not because they don't want to help people but they 1) may not have the hours or ratings to fly people for PBFOs. 2) They don't want the stress or pressure of flying someone who needs to get to medical treatment, it is a big responsibility and pilots who don't feel they can safely complete a mission may ( unnecessarily ) feel guilty canceling. PBFO's drill it in to their volunteer pilots heads that Safety is rule #1 and they should not feel guilty, but it is human nature. 3) Flying Dogs from shelter to shelter or foster homes tends to accommodate a pilots schedule a bit easier in other words it the dogs get there Monday or Tuesday it probably does not matter. 4) VFR pilots can fly Dogs. 5) many dog missions are shorter than the average people mission although there are obviously exceptions and Cloud Nine is the operator for long distance Dog rescues and most of those missions are .far longer than any people missions. 6) Dog missions can be flown in experimental aircraft while to the best of my knowledge most PBFOs that fly people must fly certified aircraft ( insurance issue) 7) While W&B issues affect every flight its often time harder to stay within the envelope on people missions than dog missions.
Paul you really should check out The Air Care Alliance which is an umbrella organization for not for profit PBFOs. They are a good group that educates and advocates for PBFOs including animal rescue organizations.
And, by the way, Thank you for volunteering as a ground volunteer for Angel Flight East! We can use all the help we can get.
But you also have a genius for an attorney!