06/16/2026
RELOCATING VS IMPORTING
At Flights For Hope, our mission is to help Canadian🇨🇦dogs in need by assisting with the financial costs associated with their transportation, networking dogs amongst our rescue partners......all in the hopes that they will eventually find their forever family here in Canada.
As the founder of Flights For Hope, this cause is also deeply personal to me. My first northern dog Derby opened my eyes to the world of northern dogs & the many struggles they can face. Over 11 years he taught me so much & connected me with many amazing humans too! Although Derby is no longer with me, I presently share my home with two incredible northern dogs, one from Northern Manitoba (Mash) and one from Northern Ontario (DJ aka Derby Junior). They are daily reminders of the amazing dogs waiting for a chance at a better life in remote communities across our country. I want to clarify that we do not support the importation of dogs from other countries while so many Canadian dogs are still in need of rescue, veterinary care, foster homes, and adoption opportunities.
The dogs Flights For Hope assists are Canadian dogs being relocated within Canada. Moving a dog from say Manitoba to British Columbia, Nunavut to Ontario, or from one province to another is not importing. It is the relocation of a Canadian dog to access rescue and adoption opportunities (and in many cases in need of medical care too). Dogs are flown from the north (via small airlines or groups like Pilots 4 Paws or The Canadian Wings of Rescue) south to rescue within their province, or from one province to the other. In the early years of FFH, we also helped dogs at risk due to new Breed Specific Legislation out of Ontario & also Quebec....on to other provinces. We have also helped specific breeds of dogs get from one province to the other to help them get to suitable breed specific rescues. When someone asks me to help, my simple answer is often 'yes, we can try'. I want to try to help as many dogs here at home that I possibly can. That WE possibly can.
Every day, northern and remote communities face challenges such as limited access to veterinary care, dog overpopulation (that can often end in inhumane dog culls), and a shortage of local rescue resources. Our focus is on helping these Canadian dogs by building partnerships, alleviating transportation costs, and creating opportunities for them to find loving homes.❤️ I believe that when we work together, we can make a meaningful difference for the dogs already here who need our help.
Thank you to every rescue partner, volunteer, flight companion, foster home, adopter, and supporter who helps give these deserving dogs a second chance!
This is my heart. We are all here with the same goals. If our passions & beliefs don't always align, respectfully that is ok. We don't always have to walk the same path.
Love & Respect to all.
