Sky Ark

Last updated

Sky Ark Inc.
Founded2003 by Mickey and Cara Russell in Buena Vista, Colorado
Type Non-profit, Interest group, Animal Welfare
Location
  • Buena Vista, Colorado, United States
FieldsAir transport for animals and pets

Sky Ark Inc. was a non-governmental, non-profit organization that provided free air and ground transportation and airlift services to rescue groups and government agencies during natural disaster. They used volunteer pilots to fly rescue, special needs, or animals with medical issues, for free. [1] [2]

Contents

Sky Ark was a nonprofit organization providing free transport services for animals to rescue groups, zoos and sanctuaries needing to transport animals over long distances in the United States. They also transported the animal and humanitarian community during disasters and desperate crises.

Sky Ark was founded in April 2003 by Mickey and Cara Russell, using their own financial resources and later transitioned to being funded through various sources, including private foundations and corporate donations. [3]

On June 28, 2016, Mickey Russell shot and killed his estranged wife, Cara Russell, and then shot and killed himself. [3] [4] [5]

In 2018, their federal tax-exempt status was automatically revoked for not filing a Form 990-series return or notice for three consecutive years. As of 2023, their exempt status has not been renewed.[ citation needed ]

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References

  1. "Desert Animal Companions: People Helping Animals on the Navajo Nation". desertanimalcompanions.org. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  2. "Animal Rescue Taking Off". nydailynews.com. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Couple killed in downtown Denver murder-suicide on Wynkoop identified – The Denver Post". denverpost.com. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
  4. "Murder-suicide trend alarms Colorado communities". KMGH. 19 September 2016. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  5. Roberts, Michael (4 November 2016). "How Many of Denver's 44 Homicides So Far This Year Were Motivated by Pot?". Westword. Retrieved 12 April 2021.