Paul Steklenski, a network engineer and Army veteran from Pennsylvania, trained to fly and purchased his own jet in order to save hundreds of animals headed for slaughter in high-kill shelters. He bought an aircraft for $70,000 and packed it with dog kennels before flying them to safety.
Paul began learning to fly as a pastime in 2013, and while studying for his pilot’s license, he decided to add a puppy to his family. At the time, these two events appeared to be completely unconnected.
<figure id="attachment_4209" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-4209" style="width: 300px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" src="https://petsmagazine.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ghh-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" class="size-medium wp-image-4209" srcset="https://petsmagazine.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ghh-300x225.jpg 300w, https://petsmagazine.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ghh-768x576.jpg 768w, https://petsmagazine.info/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ghh.jpg 960w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-4209" class="wp-caption-text">FACEBOOK/FLYING FUR ANIMAL RESCUE </figcaption></figure>
He discovered an unbelievable network of animal enthusiasts dedicated to rescuing unwanted puppies from shelters. And it was via this network that he met his new family member, his beloved Tessa, whom he had never met before.
Then Paul realized that he wanted to rescue animals, after adopting Tessa from a rescue center.
According to Paul, who spoke to The Dodo,
“We went to pet stores, then to shelters, and we began to see the differences.” Tessa was adopted in August of 2013. And that was the turning point in my life. Everything about me has changed because of her ».
Paul had completed his flying school and obtained his pilot’s license, and he planned to put it to good use. He would not do as many other drivers do; instead, he would use this to assist others.
He stated, ”
“I wanted to give up flying when I first started because I didn’t think I could do it, but I kept going back. ‘What am I going to do now?’ I wondered after I received my certification. Many pilots like flying to excellent restaurants or destinations, which is fine, but I needed a new motivation to take to the skies.”