The life and work of Seuk Kim, pilot and animal rescuer : NPR

This picture launched by the U.S. Coast Guard, exhibits Connie the container canine, which was discovered trapped inside a delivery container on Jan. 31, 2024.

Petty Officer 1st Class Lucas Loe/U.S. Coast Guard/AP

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Petty Officer 1st Class Lucas Loe/U.S. Coast Guard/AP

Seuk Kim saved lives.

Mr. Kim was 49 years previous, and initially from South Korea. He and his spouse, Anna Kang, had three kids, and lived in Springfield, Va. He labored in advertising and marketing and public relations, and cherished flying. He started to volunteer to fly rescue canine missions about 4 years in the past, piloting as many as three flights per week, so he might deliver canines for whom there was no room at a shelter, to locations that will take them in.

He was on the controls of a small plane final Sunday evening when it crashed within the snow of the Catskill Mountains. A number of rescued canines had been onboard, who Mr. Kim was flying from Maryland to the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley in Howes Cave, N.Y.

“Through the years, Seuk helped to save lots of the lives of lots of of animals who would have in any other case been euthanized because of overcrowding at animal shelters,” Maggie Pryor, director of the shelter, advised us.

I feel Mr. Kim might need been completely happy to have us know that Whiskey, a 4-month-old Labrador combine pet, survived the crash. He has two damaged legs, however is recovering. And Pluto, an 18-month-old Terrier combine, additionally survived, and should have already got been adopted. A small pet named Lisa, sadly, didn’t survive.

I did a narrative as soon as on animal rescue flights. They are often shifting and galvanizing, but in addition messy and loud. Canine and cats do not know they’re being rescued. The noise and rumble of the airplane can upset them. There will be quite a lot of laughing, and quite a lot of howling, and pilots of these flights have a particular dedication.

This summer time, Mr. Kim flew a golden retriever who turned often called Connie the container canine to security. She had been heard scratching and barking, after over per week inside a delivery container on the Port of Houston. Connie finally misplaced her life to a fungal an infection, however she lived to offer delivery to eight puppies.

And simply final month, Mr. Kim flew a canine and her 5 puppies who had been scheduled to be euthanized at an overcrowded shelter in Tennessee to a rescue middle in Maryland.

Sydney Galley, who additionally works rescue flights, advised The Related Press that Seuk Kim, “… by no means wanted recognition. He simply needed to assist.”

Anna Kang wrote on Fb that within the crash of his aircraft, her husband gained his “angel wings.” The animals Mr. Kim flew via the skies couldn’t use phrases to ask for assist. However he heard about them and introduced them to heat and security.