Pilots To The Rescue

08/05/2026

The Fido Friendly Travel Talk podcast recently interviewed Pilots To The Rescue Founder & Chief Pilot Michael Schneider. The conversation spanned from Michael’s very first freedom flight in 2015, to a recent rescue mission with Big Dog Ranch Rescue, relocating 15 innocent beagles who had spent their lives in an animal research and testing facility in Wisconsin.

Listen to the podcast episode at https://youtu.be/Hw0YjR7brKQ?si=d2x508t8i4fVDMzd.

07/27/2026

Debbie Dahmer, host of the the Voices Carry For Animals Podcast, recently sat down with our Founder & Chief Pilot, Michael Schneider, to discuss how a passion for both animals and aviation sparked the idea behind Pilots To The Rescue, which has saved the lives of over 7,200 at-risk cats, dogs, and endangered species.

If you've ever wondered about the complex logistics that go into animal transport, this is a must-listen. Tune into the podcast at https://voicescarryforanimalspodcast.riverside.com/e/voices-carry-for-animals-podcast-532-pilots-to-the-rescue.

07/24/2026

🐾 Without our Transport Board, this little family might not have survived…

Imagine sitting behind shelter bars for two long months, watching kennel doors open and close, hoping the next person who walks by will give you and your puppies the second chance you’ve been dreaming of.

That was the reality for Carly, a gentle 3-year-old mama. Picked up as strays by animal control in Scotland County, NC, Carly fought to protect her 8-week-old puppies—including sweet baby Comet—in a crowded, noisy shelter.

As the weeks dragged on, taking up precious shelter space with no prospective adopters in sight, Carly was put on the euthanasia list. Her time was up.

That was until Pilots To The Rescue board member and volunteer pilot, Vas Rajan, saw a desperate plea for help on our virtual Transport Board. With moments to spare, Vas hopped into his personal plane and flew from New Jersey down to North Carolina to scoop up all five of them and carry them to safety. ✈️

Just look at the joy in the photo of Carly jumping up on Vas in front of the plane—it’s like she’s saying, “Thank you for saving me and my babies!” Mama Carly and her pups boarded their freedom flight with total glee.❤️

Today, the fear is gone. Mama Carly is finally exhaling and resting easy in a warm foster home. Baby Comet is thriving—proudly showing off his leash-walking skills and making new doggy friends—while his three siblings tumble and play, completely safe.

🆘 Every furry life saved starts with a single connection. That’s why we launched the Pilots To The Rescue Transport Board: to link at-capacity shelters and foster homes directly with our passionate network of volunteer pilots, drivers, and animal lovers.

Need an urgent animal transport? Submit a request at pilotstotherescue.org/missions request.

(Note: Please carefully read the instructions and guidelines on the page before completing your submission form.)

07/21/2026

Dad-and-daughter duo Tony Alba and his daughter Adriana recently took on an epic 18-hour road trip to give 12 at-risk dogs their second chance.

Starting at an overcrowded shelter in Marshall, Texas, they drove through the night—making plenty of stops for food, water, and belly rubs—all the way to Friends Forever Humane Society in Freeport, Illinois.

🚛✨ “When we picked them up, it felt like they knew where they were going. Old life behind me now—we’re going to a new one,” said Alba, a transport driver for Pilots To The Rescue. “It’s an amazing feeling. That’s the reason why we do it.”

Today, all 12 pups are officially on to their next chapter to meet their loving new families!

Now THAT’S a 1,195-mile family road trip to remember!

Watch the news segment at https://www.wifr.com/2026/07/13/at-risk-dogs-make-800-mile-journey-freeport-find-forever-homes/

Pilots to the Rescue drove these four-legged friends to a local humane society.

07/19/2026

These lucky pups brought the 4th of July week energy! 💥🐾 They were part of our 21-dog manifest from Hermitage, TN to the paw-sh Wags & Walks Hamptons Pup-Up earlier this month. Their cuteness sparked so much joy at the event, we just know they’ll sparkle in their fur-ever homes. Freedom never looked so furry!

07/14/2026

🐾 From corporate events to over 400 animal rescue missions!

What started as a simple desire to spend more time in the air turned into a nationwide lifeline that has saved over 7,200 at-risk dogs, cats, and endangered species. ✈️

Pilots To The Rescue Founder & Chief Pilot, Michael Schneider, recently sat down with A-Z Animals to share what it takes to keep our mission flying.

👉 Read or watch the full interview at https://a-z-animals.com/blog/meet-the-pilot-flying-shelter-animals-to-their-second-chance/

07/11/2026

🐱 Happy !

Thanks to animal lovers like you, a mama cat and her itty-bitty kittens hitched a sweet freedom ride to their second chance!

This fur-tastic family—mama Frances and her babies Foil, Faye, Fawn, Flipper, and Flop—made the 7-hour trek all the way from South Carolina to Rhode Island, alongside 23 other lucky dogs and cats. 🚚

🐾 Weighing in at a mere 2 pounds each, these 8-week-old kitties were at an incredibly fragile stage of life. Without the safety of a shelter or home, this tiny bundle would not get the specialized care and nutrition they needed to grow big and strong.

Your support is critical to saving the lives of more tiny travelers like Frances and her family–thank you!

07/10/2026

🔤 A is for Avon, B is for Benny, and C is for Candie!

It may look as easy as learning our ABCs, but our rescue missions are anything but!

This 3-day freedom ride stretched all the way from Vero Beach, FL to New Haven, CT. It took a literal village, sleepless nights, and incredible coordination to pull off a highway relay like this. Because of this unstoppable team—and YOUR unwavering support—46 sweet souls are officially on the road to their forever homes. 🚚❤️

Only people who work so hard could make this life-saving work look so effortless. Huge thanks to everyone who played a part in giving these 24 dogs and 22 cats their second chance! 🐶🐱

07/07/2026

If this story of a brave mama and her puppies doesn’t get your tail wagging, we don’t know what will! ❤️

Last month, a young family of dogs found themselves in a heartbreaking circumstance. Unable to care for them, their owner abandoned them alongside a busy road.

For over a week, Lana did everything she could to shield her two 15-pound puppies, Leah and Leila, from the scorching Florida sun. Their home was gone; and their only refuge was the cramped space beneath parked cars in a shopping center.

In a bustling parking lot like this, danger lurked around every corner. The dogs were constantly dodging tires while seeking scraps of food. They were scared, starving, and desperately waiting for a miracle.

Yes, store workers and patrons noticed them, but they were so understandably fearful of strangers that they would run away at any human interaction.

Our shelter partner Redland Dogs Journey set up humane traps and, fortunately, after many days on the run, Lana and her puppies were rescued.

Once secured, they were moved into a quiet foster home for some much-needed TLC. There, for the very first time in weeks, they enjoyed the comfort of a soft bed. Slowly, the protective tension Lana had been carrying dissolved, as she realized her puppies were finally out of harm's way.

And where their heartbreaking abandonment ended, a breathtaking new chapter began.

To get them to the fresh start they so desperately deserved, took to the skies, transporting them away from the blazing hot temperatures of the South to the lush, cool forests in New Hampshire.

Today, those dark days in the parking lot are nothing but a distant memory, and their lives are unrecognizable in the best possible way!

Lana, now “Izzy”, settled into her forever home the second her paws crossed the threshold. Her new owners say that she is “absolutely perfect” and they have become practically inseparable. Lana loves her new canine sibling, frockling around their grassy yard, and living a luxurious life dining on homemade meals.

Additionally, in a beautiful twist of fate, bonded sister-puppies Leah and Leila were adopted together! They will never have to know the fear of separation, and will spend the rest of their days playing, growing, and sleeping side-by-side.

06/30/2026

🐾 It takes a village! 🐱🐶

could never complete these life-saving missions without the incredible dedication of our shelter partners, pilots, drivers, volunteers, staff, and—of course—YOU!

This incredible 1,006-mile journey through South Carolina, North Carolina, and the Washington D.C. area was a massive success, giving 14 lucky kittens and dogs the second chance they deserve.

Because of amazing teamwork across many states, these sweet fur-babies are safe, sound, and officially ready for their next big chapter! 🙌

🚐 We’re hiring! Ground Transport Assistant

Are you dependable, organized, and mission-driven? Pilots To The Rescue is hiring a Ground Transport Assistant based at our home base of Essex County Airport in Fairfield, New Jersey.

This is a hands-on support role focused on readiness, cleanliness, inventory, vehicle support, and safe mission preparation. Aviation or van knowledge is helpful but not required.

To learn more and apply, visit linkedin.com/jobs/view/4434230086/