Wildlife And Habitat Wildlife evacuated during the "Jesusita" fire in Santa Barbara
2009 May 6 - Santa Barbara, CA
The fire came to be called the "Jesusita Fire" and eventually burned over 8,700 acres in Santa Barbara county. Among the last to receive priority were the helpless wildlife at the local Wildlife Rescue Center, including hundreds of pelicans, egrets, and other seabirds as well as other smaller wild birds who were there recovering from injuries (such as that ubiquitous 'natural' hazard known as fishhooks). We got the first frantic call in the evening and there was no time to spare.
We arranged for several large trucks and started the drive to meet people from the wildlife center and transfer the birds who were in most critical need of veterinary support. We met them in Ventura, transferred many crates and cages to our trucks, and shuttled them down to waiting veterinary staff and hospitals in Huntington Beach until the wee hours of the morning. By morning, road travel into and out of Santa Barbara was no longer allowed, as the fire was fast reaching the city limits. But the airport was still open, and they estimated we had about two hours before the smoke would make it impossible to fly in or out. So off we went into the wild gray yonder, taking time only to quickly remove all unnecessary seats from the airplane so that we would be able to squeeze in every possible crate and cage full of wildlife.
We were met at the Santa Barbara airport by people from the wildlife center, and we filled our faithful plane ("Bessie") to the gills with crates and cages. Even what usually is a seat next to the pilot's seat was filled from floor to ceiling with cages, strapped in so that they couldn't come forward and interfere with the plane's flight controls. We filled the last remaining inches with small cages full of songbirds, and I have never known such a beautiful serenade on a flight-- right through my headsets their songs came. Maybe it calmed us all. When I looked back into the plane, all I saw were big eyes of pelicans huddled together looking back at me. And behind the airplane, smoke filled the air above Santa Barbara. We made it out in the nick of time.
Landing at Long Beach, we taxied to an out-of-the-way place where we met the vans and could 
unload all of the birds without too much publicity. The local news television station found us towar the end of our unloading, though, and they had quite a chuckle at the sight, after they finally believed us that all those cages and crates really had come out of this one airplane! The birds were taken directly to their luxurious new quarters in Huntington Beach to receive the care they needed, and Bessie and I flew back home, no worse for the wear except for some newly-acquired feathers and bird seed.
Follow Our Flights!
You can track our paths for several days after them, when we keep our GPS "SPOT" transmitter on "Track" mode. For the latest flights, see
For our latest journeys see (Track our flights).
Read about our completed rescues under Rescue Tails, and our most current rescues under Rescues in Progress!
Some of our recent favorites include:
JEREMIAH has come home to us!
2012 January 13
His adopter called to say she had become ill, and could we care for Jeremiah? You bet we could. We rented a plane and flew to Arizona and retrieved him immediately. Jeremiah was indeed a true friend, and we aim to be his true friends, too. He has been eating like crazy and slept his stress away for the first few days, and now he's acting like a young dog again. Read more here! 
CHAMP found at the airport!
2012 January 01
A sad, scared but dignified young Champ quickly won the hearts of everyone who met him at the New Orleans airport, and within two days we had permission from his original breeders to give him to a young couple with a younger female boxer mix, all of whom fell totally in love with him at first sight! Champ and Miss Princess are leading the good life now, and Champ's new dad finally has the fishing buddy he wanted! They tell us we made their dreams come true. We think they made Champ's come true, too.
Abby & Dinozo -- Two of a Kind!
2011 September--2012 January
Orphaned brother and sister, rescued and adored until calamity struck and they lost their family. Orphaned again, these gentle gems and perfect canine citizens found love and adventure with us until we found them their true forever home! Abby & Dinozo came with us to Washington January 7, and they were welcomed warmly and immediately into a home. Read more here! 
Yo! Get a Load of Yolo!
2011 November--2012 January
Left in the cold, high in the mountains of southern California, life was over before it had barely begun for this orphan teenager.
Little did he know, his adventures had only begun! As of January 7, it's back to snow but this time with a family who adores him, and lots of fun and play in the Pacific Northwest!
Saving Scarlett -- Love Forever at Last!
2011 August--December
Found on the streets, teats full but puppies absent, a battle-torn very hungry pitbull.
Hardly that sought-after doggie in the window.
But after we brought Miss Scarlett home to love and food, warmth and stuffed animals,
we discovered a warm heart and sweet spirit that changed us forever.
Gunner and Cain - A Very, Very Long Journey Home and the Happiest Reunion Ever!
2011 July--September 29, A Joyful Reunion At Last!
Here they are during their flight with four other dogs Sep 29 (New Orleans to Oakland, CA, fuel stop in Roswell, NM). .JPG)
And here's a photo from the happiest reunion ever!
More photos and updated videos here!
Ten dogs from death row to Canada!
Sheba-Cosette - this lovely lady waited a lifetime!
(2011 June) 
Jeremiah - a true friend finds a new lease on life!
(2011 May) 
Two Giant Dogs & three cats reunited with their family on Whidbey Island, WA
(2011 April)
Chihuahuas "Betty" & "JellyBean" fly to their rescue in Bremerton, WA!
(2011 April)
New Year's Rescue: 33 dogs & cats are flown to rescue in the Pacific Northwest!
(2011 January)
Hounds fending for themselves for years in Alabama fly to rescue in Arizona!
(2011 Mar)
Romo & Stanley are flown to safe havens in Arizona!
(2011 Mar)
NEWS!
Pellie Lou!
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf, 2012
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf, 2011
OIL:
Fri Dec 30
Tue Dec 20
Fri Dec 09
Sat Nov 12
Sun Sep 25
Wed Sep 21
Tue Sep 13 - USCG
Sun Sep 11
Sat Sep 10
Wed Sep 07
Tue Aug 30
Thu-Fri Aug 25-26
Fri Aug 19
Fri Jul 01
Thu Jun 16
Sat May 14
Fri May 06
Thu Apr 21
Sat Mar 26
Wed Mar 23
Tue Mar 22
Mon Mar 21
Sun Mar 20
Sat Mar 19
Fri Mar 18
2011 Sep 25, Sunday
2011 Sep 15, Thursday
2011 Sep 11, Sunday
2011 June
Humpback Whales!
Our Gift for YOU for 2011!
Click Here to Smile
from your heart, out! 
Aerial Monitoring of the Gulf, 2010
Galapagos Veterinary Support
Galapagos vets do much with little,
thanks to true friends who shipped a TON of supplies and meds from the U.S. in June, 2011.
Alabama
2011 April --
“Man can no longer live for himself alone. We must realize that all life is valuable and that we are united to all life. From this knowledge comes our spiritual relationship with the universe.”
-Albert Schweitzer
