Her day job is watching over all the volunteers and visitors who stream in and out of Best Friends Dogtown to help look after the pooches. But Juliette Watt is also a licensed pilot and flight instructor with her own four-seater Mooney plane. So she’s often aloft, bringing rescued animals back to the sanctuary or delivering them to their new homes.

And this week, she’s profiled in People Magazine in their “Heroes Among Us” section.

The article describes how she’s used her plane to rescue pets from hurricane-ravaged Louisiana, as well as to deliver hundreds of tough-to-place animals annually to new homes in towns across the country.

One of Juliette’s projects was helping place rabbits in new homes and refuges during the Great Bunny Rescue last year, when Best Friends rescued 1,600 rabbits from a backyard hoarding situation in Reno, Nevada. “Rabbits need to get out of their cages to eat and stretch every few hours,” she told People Magazine. “And you can’t do that on commercial airlines.”

Not mentioned in the article: Juliette’s longest flight – from Miami, Florida, to Best Friends in Southern Utah, when she brought the giant mastiff Zeus from the county shelter for special care at the sanctuary.

Nor her biggest passenger: Luna the miniature horse (the size of a big dog), whom she took to the veterinary hospital at Oregon State University for specialized surgery. Zeus and Luna each took up both the two back seats of the small plane. (“And we stopped half-way to Oregon,” notes Juliette, “so Luna could take a bathroom break.”)

Juliette ferries people as well as pets. Currently, she’s doing runs back and forth to the Great Cat Rescue in Pahrump, 60 miles from Las Vegas, where Best Friends is caring for hundreds of cats. “It’s a long, hot, time-consuming drive back and forth,” says Juliette. “But I can get whoever and whatever they need from here at the sanctuary to there in less than an hour. And that’s a big help.”

Photo by Andrew Geiger, courtesy of People Magazine

August 23, 2007 : 12:00 AM ET
posted by: kwinlock

Good job! Kudos to you for all that you do.Iwould love to know where Lucy is from. Like the other person who posted a comment, she looks exactly like my shepherd mix, Ben. He came from a rescue in Los Angeles in 1999 when he was 8 weeks old and his mother's name was Lucy! Keep up the good work. K.

August 20, 2007 : 8:41 PM ET
posted by: honeybear

Juliette, you are a star!!! But then the members of BF's Guardian Angel program have known that for years. And the article didn't even mention your onstage "Wattage." It's clear that People needs to do a feature article on you--with your picture on the cover!!!

Thanks for all the crazy flights you make--in addition to everything else you do at the sanctuary!

August 19, 2007 : 7:29 AM ET
posted by: animal-lover

God bless Juliette Watts! I read this story yesterday while getting my hair done, and I was sitting there in the chair crying like a baby! This is such a beautiful story, about a woman who truly must be one of God's angels...she is an inspiration to all of us! I don't know her, but I love her! I thank God she exists, and is doing this wonderful loving thing she is doing for the animals. I can't imagine anyone on the planet with a bigger heart. I say it again, God bless you, Juliette Watts!!! And thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

August 17, 2007 : 11:59 PM ET
posted by: aceofanimalbehavior

Juliette: I would like to ship rescued dogs and cats by small aircraft. We have one specialist who works in an area hospital that is willing to fly rescue animals when his schedule permits. So far we have not been able to match a transport for him.

I currently need to transport a puppy rescued from an abuse case in Essex Missouri to the Scottsdale AZ area.

Any ideas how I can do this from Cape Girardeau Missouri in the heat of August?

I am thinking I will need four pilots to help transport this pup and need to do it on a shoestring budget.

Do you have any lists of private pilots who are willing to assist in transports for the fun of flying (for a purpose)?

Marilyn

August 16, 2007 : 12:58 AM ET
posted by: swedienjohnson

Way to go, Juliette! Your flying must be a Godsend with the cat situation in Pahrump. And Rosie and Lucy are adorable! Rosie has the cutest little face...she has a mouth like a person! Very kissable pooches.

August 15, 2007 : 10:07 PM ET
posted by: jrjaffke

Juliette,

I MUST know where you got Lucy- it is a dear ringer for my shepherd mix dog MACS. He is 13 and probably won't be with us much longer and I have never ever in the 13 years we have had him found anything like him. I can't get over how much the same these two dogs look. Is Lucy yours or up for adoption?? I would love to send you a picture of my Macs so youcan see the uncanny resemblance- and maybe if you come across another one give me a shout. I have never bought a dog in my life- all my babies are rescued dogs and alwyas will be. Bless you for all that you do! Julie

August 14, 2007 : 5:06 PM ET
posted by: carrie_fosters

Thanks, karol. I know Lori gave me the new transport person's email but I couldn't find it. Guess my guess at a general email was incorrect. Hope that didn't cause anyone any frustration!

August 14, 2007 : 5:03 PM ET
posted by: carrie_fosters

Thanks, karol. I know Lori gave me the new transport person's email but I couldn't find it. Guess my guess at a general email was incorrect. Hope that didn't cause anyone any frustration!

August 14, 2007 : 4:55 PM ET
posted by: cattees

Way to go Juliette!

August 14, 2007 : 3:11 PM ET
posted by: karol

Just an FYI...Best Friends does not have a working email address called transport@bestfriends.org.

If you need help with your animal please email animalhelp@bestfriends.org. You can also access information by going to the Best Friends Animal Help page on the Network.

August 14, 2007 : 2:26 PM ET
posted by: czimmer671

MG Cooper - I am certainly not a vet or have any special knowledge, but I have heard of tranquilizing cats for flights. You could carry him on board with you and put his carrier under the seat in front of you, and he could just sleep the whole way. I realize this might be a touch extreme, but it's an option, maybe at least worth talking to your vet. I hope it helps you and Archie! Christina

August 14, 2007 : 2:16 PM ET
posted by: wolfwatcher

Alright! :)

Totally won my heart when Zeus took that flight last year-I remember it well.

THANK YOU.

August 13, 2007 : 4:09 PM ET
posted by: carrie_fosters

Those of you asking questions about transport might do better writing to transport@bestfriends.org. I know that they like to use Continental Airlines because they only fly animals in special areas in their hold that are much more comfortable for the animals.

PS - anamcara - I live in Portland, Oregon and used to live in Vancouver, BC. If you can get the pups here, I'd be happy to drive them up to you. It's been awhile since I've visited my favorite city in the world.

August 13, 2007 : 2:49 PM ET
posted by: anamcara

Hello Juliette, I have rescued a 5 month old dobe x from a shelter in Newnan, GA. Through the help of some amazing people who took turns driving him he is now at the home of my brother in Bloomington, IN. I later found out that his sister is also in rescue in Newnan, GA. I am trying to find a way to get them to my home in Victoria, BC, Canada. If there is anyone who can help to get them to anywhere in the northwest I can drive down to get them. Any help will be greatly appreciated. The pup that I rescued first, Toby, was slated to be killed a week ago today. Now he is alive & I am trying to get him to his permanent home. A friend here will adopt the sister if we can get her here also. My email address is: paulprice@shaw.ca Do you have any ideas? Thank you very much for all that you do! Paul Price

August 13, 2007 : 12:37 PM ET
posted by: gherndon

My third try to comment......what a great story Juliette. You are the best and maybe someday I can house-sit for you and your animals...

Gail

August 13, 2007 : 12:34 PM ET
posted by: gherndon

Hi Juliette,

August 13, 2007 : 12:34 PM ET
posted by: gherndon

Hi Juliette,

August 12, 2007 : 12:10 AM ET
posted by: marylutah

Nice ---you have always been my hero and there to help as a friend when I needed one. You are a great lady--hopefully I'll see you soon!!!

August 11, 2007 : 4:12 PM ET
posted by: Bobbi LaPlaca

It came as no real surprise to read your wonderful story/bio, Juliette, as you are one of the many Angels at BFAS. After my first visit to the Sanctuary last year, and the opportunity to work with the critters in Little Lebanon, I am hooked on the compassion, love and skill I saw everywhere. Truly the work of a lifetime by so many of the wonderful founders, who continue to welcome volunteers, visitors and animals of all kinds into this heavenly place.

Who could ask for more in this life than to learn from the pros...you are all so very special, gifted in every way. Blessings, Bobbi LaPlaca