After months of planning, preparation, and searching, the Brave Tide Foundation purchased a Piper Cherokee Six to serve the Foundation for many years to come. Jason Hilt, the Foundation’s president, flew the aerial workhorse home to Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in mid-December. The flight to Brave Tide’s home airport covered 900 miles over Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The Cherokee Six was chosen based upon a few major factors: range, capacity, cost per mile, and reliability. The aircraft can fulfill most Brave Tide missions non-stop, can haul over 1,300 pounds, costs only about $1 per mile to operate, and has very low maintenance costs. The Foundation is currently scheduling transport missions for January and February. Please consider supporting future missions by sending a tax-deductible donation using the Paypal link on the main page or by check to the address on the contact page. Every dollar raised goes directly to fund rescue flights.

View of the Mississippi river along the route:

View of the Appalachian Mountains along the route:

View of the Maryland landscape along the route

Brave Tide ambassadors inspect the airplane:

It is with sincere gratitude and much excitement that the Brave Tide Foundation announces we are the recipients of a $25,000 grant from the Petco Foundation to fund animal welfare and other humanitarian efforts across the country.

The Petco Foundation grant, along with the financial commitment of the Brave Tide President, contributed to the purchase of a Piper aircraft that will be utilized for the transport of animals for rehoming, fostering, and relocation. Through the partnerships we have established with a number of national and international animal rescue groups, we will utilize the airplane to transport animals, supplies and other resources.

Dr. Jason Hilt, Brave Tide Foundation President and CEO, explained, “Every day, neglected or abandoned animals need our assistance. Working with animal rescue organizations, we provide the transportation that is a key link in the rescue process. Now, through the generosity of the Petco Foundation, Brave Tide has the ability to extend this service all over the country.”

The airplane purchase process took many months and the result is a plane that should serve the Foundation for years to come. In the past, renting airplanes to conduct Foundation missions was difficult due to scheduling issues, airplane maintenance schedules, and weather delays. Having an airplane available 24/7 will provide the flexibility to expand the reach of Brave Tide support. The aircraft will be arriving at Brave Tide headquarters in Pennsylvania in early December and our website will provide photos and updates for each mission flown.

Animal transports are conducted based upon need and are funded through donations and grants. Why air transport? Although air transport is more expensive than ground transport, the advantages of air travel for the animal’s overall well-being are significant. Greatly reduced travel time and a climate-controlled aircraft cabin result in less stress on the animals versus travel by van or hauler. Air transport also gives our foundation nationwide reach and the ability to pick up and deliver animals to multiple states in a single day.

About Petco and the Petco Foundation

The Petco Foundation has served as a voice for companion animals across the country since 1999. Today, with more than 8,000 local animal-welfare partners across the country, the Petco Foundation donates approximately $15 million a year to make a difference in the lives of millions of animals. The organization is funded through donations raised during fundraisers conducted in Petco’s more than 1,200 stores across the country, as well as from Petco associates, vendors and corporate contributions. Money raised helps fund animal-welfare organizations, spay and neuter efforts, animal-assisted therapy programs and humane education. The majority of the funds raised remain in the communities where they were raised, and the Petco Foundation is also involved in many national animal-welfare efforts.

In 2012, the Petco Foundation surpassed $100 million in funds raised for companion animals since the organization was created. To learn more, visit www.petcofoundation.org.

Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that provides the products, services and advice that make it easier for our customers to be great pet parents. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,200 stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico, including more than 50 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop, and www.petco.com. The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $110 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 350,000 animals every year.