Send this page to someone via email

Flying to Toronto anytime soon?

An animal rescue in that city is looking for Winnipeggers to lend a helping paw.

The Animal Guardian Society is asking for passengers flying to Toronto with WestJet to become a flight companion for a rescue dog.

The society’s intake coordinator, Caroline Jewson, told 680 CJOB they’re are always looking for volunteer flight companions – a no-cost gig that doesn’t ‘ruff’ up your airport routine.

READ MORE: Why vet bills can add up for rescue shelters

“Starting in November 2017, we started bringing in dogs from Manitoba, in the more remote communities in the north of Manitoba,” said Jewson.

“There’s a number of front line rescuers in Winnipeg who work with Indigenous communities to help dogs and the overpopulation problems in those communities.

Story continues below advertisement

“They bring them into Winnipeg, quarantine them, and then there’s a group of rescuers here in (Ontario) that get them ready to be adopted.

Jewson said all the flight companions have to do is volunteer, and the Animal Guardian Society does the rest. They call the airline, book the kennels on the volunteer’s ticket, and pay for everything. Companions will meet rescue workers at the airport, fill out a form, and that’s it.

The cost of shipping a dog with a flight companion, said Jewson, can often be three times cheaper than having the animal flown as cargo.

“It’s super easy, with no cost, and it really does help the dogs, for sure, and us as a rescue … the savings are immense for a small non-profit like ourselves.” Tweet This

Since the program began two years ago, Jewson said close to 150 dogs have made the trip from Manitoba to Ontario – ranging in age from three weeks to five years – after being quarantined and vaccinated in Winnipeg.

We need people who are flying Westjet from Winnipeg to Toronto! There is NO ADDITIONAL COST (we pay for the crates to be added to your ticket) and NO change to your airport routine or added work. Help by SHARING this post far and wide! pic.twitter.com/KfqKrEmkTR — The Animal Guardian Society (TAGS) (@tagsinfo) June 18, 2019

WATCH: Items dog rescues are always looking for

0:20 Items dog rescues are always looking for Items dog rescues are always looking for