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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsPilot flies 1,000 rescue animals to new homes
I thought this was a pretty interesting and uplifting story. I also see from the article that the Pilots-n-paws rescue organization is coming out with a book full of rescue stories.
Jeff Bennett has flown dogs, cats, rabbits, pythons and more to safety in his small plane
If accentuating the positive and eliminating the negative were Olympic events, Jeff Bennett would be bound for London next month.
Bennett, 53, a business owner and pilot who lives in the Florida Keys, studiously avoids dark headlines and depressing news stories. He gravitates toward happy people who build up rather than tear down, and hes always on the prowl for ways to help out and give back.
But of course, not all disturbing news can be avoided. Bennett really gets riled over stories of animal cruelty, neglect and abandonment and, about three and a half years ago, he decided to do something about it. He started using his small plane to fly dogs, cats and a host of other critters in dire circumstances to safe places where theyd receive treatment and care. On Friday, Bennett is hitting a milestone by flying his 1,000th rescue animal to safety.
I never thought Id be moving this many animals, Bennett told TODAY.com. I just really enjoy it, and I get to meet some of the best people out there.
I love being in the air, and this gave me something worthwhile to do in the meantime something I could do to help, pilot Jeff Bennett said. As gratifying as he finds his volunteer work, Bennett confessed that it sometimes overwhelms him to think about how many animals suffer and die needlessly. Due to animal overpopulation, an estimated 4 million dogs and cats about one every eight seconds are put down in U.S. shelters each year.
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femmocrat
(28,394 posts)The book is called DOG is My Co-pilot by Patrick Regan. Clever name!
Angry Dragon
(36,693 posts)Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)This made my day. Thank you.
pa28
(6,145 posts)Seriously, I think this is neat but the article is portraying this as an act of pure beneficence when he's probably writing off fuel, maintenance, depreciation and any other operating costs that apply.
Like this guy I love ze doggies and ze kitties but I think it's worth pointing out that he's getting a major tax break for his flying time. I'm a pilot and I'm familiar with quite a few other charitable groups that allow you to write off a variety of expenses. Quite a few of these non-profits do great things but taxpayers do indeed subsidize these activities and I can't recall reading any coverage of that fact.
You can throw rocks at me now.
Major Nikon
(36,827 posts)If the article were about those who transport rescue animals by car, do you think the media would be remiss if they left out the fact that people are able to deduct 14 cents per mile? If Ken Copeland gets a tax exemption (not just a deduction) for the complete costs of all of his jets and his own private airport complete with private approaches certified by the FAA, I'm certainly not going to begrudge this guy for claiming a deduction for something that benefits him only by the satisfaction of performing a good deed. And, no, you can't deduct maintenance or depreciation. At least if you are doing it legally. You can only deduct expenses that are directly related to the volunteer activity and only to the extent that they are not reimbursed by the volunteer organization (which in this case is nil). That limits your deduction to fuel, oil, any additional insurance required, landing/tiedown fees, charts and other expendables that are directly related to the volunteer mission (I have a couple of volunteer organizations I fly for). Assuming this guy is in the 28-33% tax bracket, that means 66-72% of his expenses (which will be significant) comes out of his pocket along with the additional wear and tear on his aircraft.