Canadian Wings of Rescue pilots fly 26 cats from Fort St. John

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Volunteer pilots with Canadian Wings of Rescue and the 26 rescue cats and kittens. (Canadian Wings of Rescue)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Almost 30 rescue cats and kittens in Fort St. John got treated to private plane rides to the Lower Mainland in the hopes of finding their forever homes.

Canadian Wings of Rescue, a volunteer-run animal rescue organization, recently completed two flights in July to northeast B.C. to transport 26 cats from an animal rescue in the North Peace – which asked not to be named – down to animal shelters in Victoria and Vancouver.

The first flight, conducted by volunteer Jonathan Monahan from Victoria, was one of the largest feline rescue missions the charity has ever completed, with 19 cats flying with Monahan from Fort St. John to the Boundary Bay area of Vancouver on July 13th.

Jonathan Monahan on the first flight, which was one of the largest missions by animal numbers Canadian Wings of Rescue has done so far. (Canadian Wings of Rescue)

This was Monahan’s first mission with Canadian Wings of Rescue, with the Victoria resident and weekend pilot flying more than 2,500 kilometres from his hangar in Victoria to Fort St. John and then back to Boundary Bay with 19 cats and kittens.

Monahan got his pilot’s licence about 10 years ago, and flies recreationally out of Victoria International Airport.

A former fisheries and marine biologist with 17 years at sea, Monahan said he felt a strong connection to this flight.

Volunteer pilot Jonathan Monahan and his 19 passengers on their way to the Lower Mainland from Fort St. John. (Canadian Wings of Rescue)

“When I was about 12 years old, I used to rescue stray cats in rural Nova Scotia and rehome them from a trailer in my parents’ backyard,” Monahan said.

“This flight brought everything full circle for me, it combined three things I care deeply about: aviation, giving back and new adventures.”

Then on July 17th, Canadian Wings of Rescue completed a second flight, this time carrying seven very important felines to the Vancouver area.

Volunteer pilots Brad Reid (left) and Walter Chen (right) and the seven cats bound for the Lower Mainland. (Canadian Wings of Rescue)

Two volunteer pilots, Brad Reid and Walter Chen – who did not provide their surnames – worked together to split the trip, with one flying from Fort St. John to Kelowna and another taking the cats the rest of the way to Vancouver.

Cheryl Brean, the communications director for Canadian Wings of Rescue, told Energeticcity.ca volunteer pilots are integral to each rescue mission.

“It all really depends on the comfort of the pilot, and what the pilot is able to give in terms of time,” Brean said.

“Sometimes it can be a longer day for them, but [the] pilots are very generous.”

The seven cats in the second flight packed in safely and prepared for take-off. (Canadian Wings of Rescue)

As a completely volunteer-run charity, Canadian Wings of Rescue is always looking for volunteer pilots from all across Canada.

“We don’t have any particular requirements, except that you [have a pilot’s licence] and are in good standing [with Canadian aviation standards],” Brean said.

“You can register through our website and then sign up for alerts when there is a new transport request.”

Volunteers also do not need to own their own plane, as recreational renters are also welcome to sign up on Canadian Wings of Rescue’s website.