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Wings for Animals

Worldwide Support for Animals in Need

Wings for Animals, founded in 2015 by KLM cabin crew, aims to prevent animal suffering worldwide as well as raise awareness of abuses against animals.

Stray animals and Pets

Through our work as flight crew for KLM we are able to visit shelters for stray animals, especially dogs and cats, worldwide. We support these centres with medical and other resources and often also by helping them to care for the animals.
In addition we offer financial support to organisations that sterilise stray animals. An important means to further reduce animal suffering and even prevent it.
Would you like to have a pet yourself as a household member? Ten consider to adopt. We provide a number of useful tips for adoption on this page.

Kachó di Kòrsou

Kachó di Kòrsou - Dog of Curacao - is a small-scale, home-based shelter for dogs on Curacao.

Shanghai Animal Rescue

This foundation, just outside Shanghai, is committed to helping abandoned animals. Shanghai Animal Rescue takes them in, provides medical care, looks after them, and ultimately finds them a new home.

Delhi Tails of Compassion

Tails of Compassion (ToC) was founded on Aug. 18, 2017 with the goal of providing a good home for senior and special needs dogs and other animals. Currently, ToC is home to more than 40 dogs, 3 goats and a few chickens.

Every Living Thing

Every Living Thing (ELT) works to improve the lives of animals in Tanzania, East Africa.

Their mission is to work with local governments to help enforce the current Animal Welfare Act (2008) while educating communities about the rights of all animals.

Shelter for Stray Animals

Over the years, we have been able to support many projects and shelters at our KLM flight destinations.

We visit the projects and shelters we support regularly and bring them the necessary relief supplies for the (stray) animals.
Like medical supplies such as antiparasitics, antibiotics and vitamins for dogs cats and horses, but also devices such as drones and GoPros for the protection of animals in the wild.

In addition, we see the wonderful work the volunteers of these projects and shelters are able to do with the financial support made possible by our donors, sponsors and funds.

view all the shelters we support
Sterilisation

Sterilization decreases the number of stray animals. This prevents a lot of animal suffering

Sterilisation

Neutered animals are healthier and less likely to contract diseases. They are also less aggressive which reduces the chance of fighting and thus injuries

Sterilisation

Many of the animal shelter organizations we support also have sterilization programs. These Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programs ensure that there are less stray animals living a miserable life on the streets.

Sterilised animals are generally healthier and less likely to suffer from illnesses such as uterine infections or testicular cancer. They also tend to be less aggressive and show reduced territorial and roaming behaviour. As a result, they fight less, which lowers the risk of injury. This is also more pleasant for the people around them.

Donate and support sterilization programs

Adopt a pet yourself?

Every day thousands of animals wait in shelters and sanctuaries for a new home. Adopting is not only an act of love, it literally saves lives. Whether you’re looking for a loyal dog, a cuddly cat, a curious rabbit or even a special exotic animal, adoptable animals come in all shapes and sizes – each with their own story, character and charm.

Why choose adoption over buying?

Because adopting an animal offers numerous benefits – for the animal, for you, and for society as a whole.

You save a life

Many shelter animals have had a difficult start. By adopting, you give them a second chance at happiness.

You are helping overcrowded shelters

Every adoption creates space for a new stray animal in need.

You choose consciously and responsibly

Adopted animals are often medically examined, vaccinated, microchipped and neutered or spayed.

You support animal welfare

Instead of encouraging puppy farming or impulsive sales, send a clear message: animals are not disposable products….

Tips on adopting a pet

Still want to buy?

Then be very careful!
Not all pet providers are bona fide. And not all of them treat the animals they sell well. We have created a checklist especially for this purpose to distinguish the good from the bad. But of course it is always better to adopt an animal!

See the Checklist for buying a pet

Tips on adopting a pet

Thinking of adopting an animal? Then there are a few important points to consider:

  1. Do your research: Which animal fits your lifestyle? Look at your living situation, work routine and family composition.

  2. Visit several shelters: Take time to get acquainted with different animals. The right match is worth its weight in gold.

  3. Ask questions: Inquire about the animal’s behavior, health and history.

  4. Prepare for adjustment time: Adopted animals sometimes need time to adjust. Patience and love are essential.

  5. Follow your intuition, but be realistic: Falling in love is easy, but also think about long-term care.

Adopting is not pathetic - it is powerful

Adopted animals are not “second choice.” On the contrary: they are unique, grateful and often enormously loyal. By adopting, you make a difference – not just for that one animal, but for the broader problem of strays and overcrowded shelters.

Checklist for buying a pet

The biggest reason why shelters are full of cats and dogs are pet mills. Pet mills are “factory style” breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of animals.
As a buyer of a puppy , you decide whether you want to support this rogue breeding industry or not. When you buy a puppy from such an irresponsible breeder, you are perpetuating this very animal-unfriendly industry. So resolutely refuse this too and help others recognize pet mills. This checklist can help you, should you not choose an animal from a shelter, and can prevent you from buying an animal from a backyard breeder.

  1. Check the pet dealer on the internet
    Google on experiences with a particular pet dealer. A lot of puppy mills are already known on the internet and you can find them that way. Be aware that about three quarters of the ads, for example on marketplace, come from irresponsible breeders. Find the trader and/or breeder on the internet and take a good look at their ads using the following tips:

    – Puppy mills only take pictures of the puppy
    ( after all, the appearance of the mother dog would put you off). They often put the puppies at their most attractive, so they look irresistibly cute. ‘Decoration’ such as flowers, baskets, armchairs etc are also often used.

    – Look at the area and surrounding where the picture was taken.
    Does the picture show straw? Then hook off immediately. This indicates a breeder who lets his puppies grow up in the barn. And that is disastrous for their socialisation.
    Dogs from a farm are also best left out. This is because they often grew up outside and are therefore not very socialised with people. Unless, of course, you are looking for a farm dog meant to be a yard dog. But to have as a house dog, these puppies are not suitable.
    Are there wall tiles to be seen in the background, or a fence? Also then, the chances are very high that this is a puppy mill.

    – Click on the link “show more ads from the advertiser “on the advertisement site, such as marketplace.
    Do multiple nests show up? And/or do other breeds appear? Then you are definitely dealing with a puppy mill.
    Do not be misled by the text. Breeders know what to write:
    It will often say that the puppies are raised in a domestic environment and the advantages of the breed are described.
    It will often say that a purchase agreement is made (which is worth nothing, except that you can take home a new severely ill puppy if the previous one dies).
    Some rogue breeders say that they have a quality mark or certification. Usually, this label is not official and there are clear suspicions that this label was set up by a rogue breeder herself. So do not attach any value to it.

  2. The price of the puppy
    A pet mill offers his puppies cheaply. He can do this because his pups have not received medical care, have barely been fed, have not been vaccinated, have not been wormed, do not have a legal passport, etc. If the puppy is even completely for free, it is because the rogue breeder has to get rid of it.
    Many puppy mills get puppies from eastern bloc countries. Here they pay an average of €70 for a puppy.

  3. Pay attention to where the breeder gets the puppy from
    With rogue breeders , puppies do not grow up in a domestic environment. They often take them out of a barn or other large space. If in doubt,ask if you can look at where the puppies are staying. A pet mill will come up with an excuse as to why this is not possible.

  4. Ask about the mother dog
    Ask the breeder where the mother dog is and if you can see it (e.g. because you want to see how big your puppy will eventually become).
    Again , the breeder will often come up with an excuse. Sometimes a dog will be fetched. With a rogue breeder , this will never be the mother dog, but a dog that looks better.

  5. Ask if they might have another breed
    Pet mills almost always breed with multiple breeds. Should you have any doubts, pretend you are also interested in another breed. If the breeder comes up with this other breed, get out of there. This is clearly a rogue breeder!

  6. The breeder asks few questions about your living situation
    A rogue breeder doesn’t care about his puppies. All he wants to do is sell. Therefore , he is not at all interested in where his pup ends up and will not ask you anything about this.

  7. The puppy is immediately pushed into your hands
    Puppy mills all use this technique. They push the puppy into your arms. Then try to keep thinking clearly!

  8. Take a good look at the puppy
    A healthy puppy is clean. It has clean eyes, ears and bum. Put the puppy on the floor and see what it does. A healthy pup has an urge to explore and likes to be stroked. If the pup is drowsy, sluggish, anxious or lethargic then it is not healthy.

  9. Buy with your mind and not with your heart
    Did you end up at a puppy mill nevertheless? Then consider that by rescuing this puppy, you are a co-causer of the suffering of its mother and its future siblings. Also realise what the consequences are for the pup itself by rescuing it. A life with a very high chance of (behavioural) problems and medical problems.

The only way to stop this suffering is to stop buying puppies from pet mills! A rogue breeder can be professional, competent and tidy. Because a lot of money is involved in the trade, they may have a wonderful reception venue. A nice story is part of their sales techniques. Yet a rogue trader is easy to spot!


Questions or comments? We' d be happy to help!

If you have any questions about our work, about how you can help us or have any other question, please contact us.

Contact Form EN

If provided, we will store these data. See our privacy policy.

Tips on adopting a pet

Thinking of adopting an animal? Then there are a few important points to consider:

  1. Do your research: Which animal fits your lifestyle? Look at your living situation, work routine and family composition.

  2. Visit several shelters: Take time to get acquainted with different animals. The right match is worth its weight in gold.

  3. Ask questions: Inquire about the animal’s behavior, health and history.

  4. Prepare for adjustment time: Adopted animals sometimes need time to adjust. Patience and love are essential.

  5. Follow your intuition, but be realistic: Falling in love is easy, but also think about long-term care.

Adopting is not pathetic - it is powerful

Adopted animals are not “second choice.” On the contrary: they are unique, grateful and often enormously loyal. By adopting, you make a difference – not just for that one animal, but for the broader problem of strays and overcrowded shelters.

Checklist for buying a pet

The biggest reason why shelters are full of cats and dogs are pet mills. Pet mills are “factory style” breeding facilities that put profit above the welfare of animals.
As a buyer of a puppy , you decide whether you want to support this rogue breeding industry or not. When you buy a puppy from such an irresponsible breeder, you are perpetuating this very animal-unfriendly industry. So resolutely refuse this too and help others recognize pet mills. This checklist can help you, should you not choose an animal from a shelter, and can prevent you from buying an animal from a backyard breeder.

  1. Check the pet dealer on the internet
    Google on experiences with a particular pet dealer. A lot of puppy mills are already known on the internet and you can find them that way. Be aware that about three quarters of the ads, for example on marketplace, come from irresponsible breeders. Find the trader and/or breeder on the internet and take a good look at their ads using the following tips:

    – Puppy mills only take pictures of the puppy
    ( after all, the appearance of the mother dog would put you off). They often put the puppies at their most attractive, so they look irresistibly cute. ‘Decoration’ such as flowers, baskets, armchairs etc are also often used.

    – Look at the area and surrounding where the picture was taken.
    Does the picture show straw? Then hook off immediately. This indicates a breeder who lets his puppies grow up in the barn. And that is disastrous for their socialisation.
    Dogs from a farm are also best left out. This is because they often grew up outside and are therefore not very socialised with people. Unless, of course, you are looking for a farm dog meant to be a yard dog. But to have as a house dog, these puppies are not suitable.
    Are there wall tiles to be seen in the background, or a fence? Also then, the chances are very high that this is a puppy mill.

    – Click on the link “show more ads from the advertiser “on the advertisement site, such as marketplace.
    Do multiple nests show up? And/or do other breeds appear? Then you are definitely dealing with a puppy mill.
    Do not be misled by the text. Breeders know what to write:
    It will often say that the puppies are raised in a domestic environment and the advantages of the breed are described.
    It will often say that a purchase agreement is made (which is worth nothing, except that you can take home a new severely ill puppy if the previous one dies).
    Some rogue breeders say that they have a quality mark or certification. Usually, this label is not official and there are clear suspicions that this label was set up by a rogue breeder herself. So do not attach any value to it.

  2. The price of the puppy
    A pet mill offers his puppies cheaply. He can do this because his pups have not received medical care, have barely been fed, have not been vaccinated, have not been wormed, do not have a legal passport, etc. If the puppy is even completely for free, it is because the rogue breeder has to get rid of it.
    Many puppy mills get puppies from eastern bloc countries. Here they pay an average of €70 for a puppy.

  3. Pay attention to where the breeder gets the puppy from
    With rogue breeders , puppies do not grow up in a domestic environment. They often take them out of a barn or other large space. If in doubt,ask if you can look at where the puppies are staying. A pet mill will come up with an excuse as to why this is not possible.

  4. Ask about the mother dog
    Ask the breeder where the mother dog is and if you can see it (e.g. because you want to see how big your puppy will eventually become).
    Again , the breeder will often come up with an excuse. Sometimes a dog will be fetched. With a rogue breeder , this will never be the mother dog, but a dog that looks better.

  5. Ask if they might have another breed
    Pet mills almost always breed with multiple breeds. Should you have any doubts, pretend you are also interested in another breed. If the breeder comes up with this other breed, get out of there. This is clearly a rogue breeder!

  6. The breeder asks few questions about your living situation
    A rogue breeder doesn’t care about his puppies. All he wants to do is sell. Therefore , he is not at all interested in where his pup ends up and will not ask you anything about this.

  7. The puppy is immediately pushed into your hands
    Puppy mills all use this technique. They push the puppy into your arms. Then try to keep thinking clearly!

  8. Take a good look at the puppy
    A healthy puppy is clean. It has clean eyes, ears and bum. Put the puppy on the floor and see what it does. A healthy pup has an urge to explore and likes to be stroked. If the pup is drowsy, sluggish, anxious or lethargic then it is not healthy.

  9. Buy with your mind and not with your heart
    Did you end up at a puppy mill nevertheless? Then consider that by rescuing this puppy, you are a co-causer of the suffering of its mother and its future siblings. Also realise what the consequences are for the pup itself by rescuing it. A life with a very high chance of (behavioural) problems and medical problems.

The only way to stop this suffering is to stop buying puppies from pet mills! A rogue breeder can be professional, competent and tidy. Because a lot of money is involved in the trade, they may have a wonderful reception venue. A nice story is part of their sales techniques. Yet a rogue trader is easy to spot!


Questions or comments? We' d be happy to help!

If you have any questions about our work, about how you can help us or have any other question, please contact us.

Contact Form EN

If provided, we will store these data. See our privacy policy.