FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lifesaving Flight Gives 70 At-Risk Animals a Second Chance

Feral Cat Warriors, Mohave County Animal Shelter, and Wings of Rescue Partner in First-Ever Kingman Airlift to Best Friends Animal Society in Utah

Kingman, AZ — May 9, 2025 — In a groundbreaking rescue mission that marks a new chapter for animal welfare in Mohave County, Feral Cat Warriors, Mohave County Animal Shelter, and Friends of Mohave County Animal Shelter partnered with Wings of Rescue to transport 70 at-risk animals from Kingman, Arizona, to Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab and Salt Lake City, Utah.

The flight departed from Kingman Airport at 11:00 AM on Thursday, with 45 puppies, 20 kittens, and 6 adult cats aboard—many of whom were facing limited options in an overcrowded shelter system. This lifesaving journey represents not only a new beginning for these animals, but the start of an essential rescue corridor connecting high-intake, under-resourced shelters in Arizona to supportive adoption networks in other states.

“This is what community collaboration looks like,” said Charles Black, Strategic Operations Leader for Feral Cat Warriors. “This flight was made possible by the compassion and commitment of so many individuals and organizations working together toward one goal—saving lives.”

A crucial component of this mission’s success was the unwavering dedication of Dr. Wright, DVM, and the team at Wright Veterinary Services. Dr. Wright worked late into the night to ensure every single animal was healthy and travel-ready. She and her staff completed all USDA health certificates, a mandatory and detailed process that allowed each pet to safely cross state lines and reach their destination.

Mohave County’s Nicole Mangiameli, Animal Shelter Manager, said, “Transferring these puppies will give a better chance of finding a new home for the more than 80 adult dogs who are often overlooked when so many puppies are available. The abundance of help we are receiving from both agencies is remarkable and will make an enormous impact in our lifesaving efforts at the shelter and in the community.”

More than 20 volunteers participated in this operation, including Kingman Police Chief Rusty Cooper and KPD Animal Services Officers, who were on-site to assist with loading. The staff at AirZona Aircraft Services went above and beyond to welcome the team and animals, providing water to volunteers and comfort to the pets during their wait on the tarmac.

“This was a momentous day!” said Lynn Kannianen, President of Friends of Mohave County Animal Shelter. “We are so happy to have 45 puppies delivered to Best Friends Animal Society so that the community will look at our bigger dogs—many of which are still puppies. We have so many beautiful dogs at +6 months to senior who are often overlooked in favor of small puppies.”

This mission is just the beginning of what organizers hope will become a recurring operation. With shelters across the region overwhelmed during peak intake seasons, the ability to transport animals to safe, supportive destinations is a powerful tool in the fight against pet homelessness and euthanasia.

About Feral Cat Warriors

Feral Cat Warriors is a dedicated nonprofit organization headquartered in Mohave County, Arizona, with a mission to protect and improve the lives of cats and kittens. Committed to creating a compassionate community that values all living beings, the organization employs a multi-faceted approach that includes Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), fostering, and finding loving forever homes for these vulnerable animals. With an unwavering commitment to a no-kill philosophy, Feral Cat Warriors addresses the challenges of feral cat overpopulation by providing essential care, medical attention, and community outreach. By rescuing stray cats and kittens from the streets and empowering volunteers to be a part of this mission, Feral Cat Warriors aims to make a lasting and positive impact on both the lives of these animals and the community they serve.

Website: www.feralcatwarriors.org
Contact: info@feralcatwarriors.org
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About Mohave County Animal Shelter

The Mohave County Animal Shelter is the only open-intake shelter in a 13,000 square mile area. We take in all stray, abandoned, and surrendered pets, and provide rescue and humane care to protect the health, safety, and welfare of homeless cats and dogs in Mohave County. We intake approximately 4,000 animals per year and always have a large selection of adoptable dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. We encourage you to visit our beautiful new facility and consider fostering or volunteering at 3423 N. Burbank Street, Kingman. All our adoptable pets are micro-chipped, spayed or neutered, and vaccinated.

About Friends of Mohave County Animal Shelter

Friends of Mohave County Animal Shelter was formed in 2019 to help provide funding for the shelter animals. FOMCAS provides for medical care for sick and injured animals. We also subsidize adoption fees for dogs over 35 lbs, senior animals, and bonded pairs to help get them into their fur-ever homes more quickly. This is a win for our community including senior citizens, veterans, and lower-income families, who may not otherwise be able to afford adoption.

Contact:
Charles Black
Feral Cat Warriors
502-298-3525
c.black@feralcatwarriors.org

Nicole Mangiameli
Mohave County Animal Shelter Manager
(928) 753-2727×4052

Images can be downloaded here: [Google Drive Link]
Photo Credits: FCW, MCAS, FOMCAS

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