Pilots To The Rescue

08/31/2026

We're excited to share a special birthday message from our #1 "Top Dog", Founder, and Chief Pilot, Michael Schneider, who is celebrating the big 5-0 today:

✈️

To the Pilots To The Rescue supporters, generous donors, rescue pilots, Board members, friends, and family who have played a vital part in my journey–

What began as a birthday skydive in June 2013 in Cincinnati, OH became something I never could have imagined. Somewhere between stepping out of that airplane and landing back on the ground, an idea took hold: what if aviation could be used to save lives...not just human lives, but the lives of animals with nowhere else to turn?

That leap of faith became Pilots To The Rescue. That single moment has grown into more than 7,500 animals saved.

Pilots To The Rescue has never been about one person. It's about thousands of individuals choosing compassion and proving that when we work together, we can give animals the second chance they deserve.

Turning 50 has given me a chance to reflect with deep gratitude for everyone who has flown a mission, donated, opened their home, or simply shared our mission to save lives. You are the reason a bold idea became a transformative movement for good.

In lieu of gifts, my birthday wish was to raise $50,000 to ensure the next chapter of Pilots To The Rescue. I’m both humbled and excited to share that, thanks to the generous support of our incredible community and loved ones, we have exceeded that fundraising goal to give at-risk animals their “freedom flight” from overcrowded shelters to safety!

Thank you for celebrating 50 years with me, for believing in Pilots To The Rescue’s mission, and for helping us save even more lives together.

Sincerely,
Michael

💫🌟Let's turn Michael’s birthday wish into a year-round movement! Join our Flight Crew to take our lifesaving rescue missions to new heights https://www.pilotstotherescue.org/support/join-our-flight-crew

08/25/2026

Meet Volunteer Pilot: Vas Rajan

New York City resident Vas Rajan is a corporate executive by day, but when he’s off the clock, you’ll find him in the skies volunteering as a Pilots To The Rescue board member and pilot!

Vas is a passionate aircraft owner and commercial pilot, licensed to fly single- and multi-engine land airplanes as well as drones. As a certified flight, instrument, and ground instructor, he shares his aviation expertise with students in the air, on the ground, and in simulators at the Manhattan Flight Club.

“After I began instructing, I realized my true motivation was blending my passion for aviation with making a positive impact,” shares Vas. “At Pilots to the Rescue, I can leverage my corporate background and non-profit experience to contribute both as ‘boots in the air’ and ‘boots on the ground.’”

Above all, Vas is a huge animal lover. Having shared his home with many beloved dogs and cats over the years, he’s currently waiting for the moment he falls in love with his next furry family members—hoping to be “adopted” by both a cat and a dog on an upcoming rescue mission!

“Please adopt, don’t shop,” urges Vas. “Nearly 600,000 healthy dogs and cats are euthanized in this country every year. It’s a national tragedy, but it’s one we can all work together to end.”

Vas’s most memorable paw-senger was a senior, large-breed dog named Floyd, who had endured a marathon van ride from Texas to Tennessee before boarding a seven-hour freedom flight to Maine. “Despite a long journey in tough weather, together we reached safety and a second chance for him to live out his golden years,” shares Vas.

Are you a pilot with a passion for animals? Join our crew at https://www.pilotstotherescue.org/missions/offer

08/17/2026

From shaggy to chic!

Meet Moonpie, a 28lb Poodle mix who was carrying around a whole lot of extra fur.

When he was first rescued, his continuously growing white curls were overgrown and thick with heavy mats—making him feel hot, itchy, and weighed down. The dense fur covered his face so completely that he was barely able to peek through to see where he was going. 💔

Before embarking on his big journey, the compassionate team at Angel Pets stepped in to give him a much-needed reset. Carefully shearing away all that trapped fur was an instant release.

Once free from all that bulk, the sweetest boy emerged: ✨ A cute button nose ✨ Expressive, sparkling eyes ✨ A bright, happy smile (and a stylish bow tie to match!)

Finally able to see clearly and move around freely, a clean and confident Moonpie was ready for his new life!

He joined 30 other rescue dogs on an incredible 1,660-mile freedom ride from South Carolina to New Jersey, made possible through an incredible network of 8 animal welfare organizations.

From tangled and weighed down to lightweight and loved, Pilots To The Rescue is overjoyed for Moonpie's fresh new start! 🐶✨

08/11/2026

From Pain to Purpose ❤️

When our freedom flight touched down in New Hampshire, carrying 16 dogs and 9 cats from Georgia, every single animal on board had a story. But few brought tears to our eyes quite like Connor.

Not long before his flight, Connor was a defenseless puppy whose life was nearly shattered in an instant when he was hit by a car. The impact left him with a severely fractured leg, but the true weight of his ordeal was in the quiet agony that followed.

In the days after the accident, Connor endured intense pain and swelling so overwhelming that he couldn't even bring himself to eat. For a young pup who should have been running and playing, every tiny movement left him exhausted and fighting just to get through each day.

Yet, even through the darkest hours of his recovery, Connor never lost his spirit. Slowly, as his leg began to mend, Connor’s sweet and resilient nature shone through. Before long, his tail was wagging again, revealing a playful, gentle soul with an undeniable will to live.

Today, Connor is fully healed, happy, and thriving! Best of all, Connor’s story has come full circle in the most heartwarming way: he accompanies his new mom to visit her patient with mobility needs, bringing unconditional comfort and companionship to families who need it most.

Together, we aren't just saving lives—we're making miracles like Connor’s possible. Thank you for being the wind beneath our wings!

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/