Michael SchneiderFounder, Executive Director & Chief Pilot aka "Top Dog", Pilots To The Rescue · Top Dog @ Pilots To The Rescue

Help Pilots To The Rescue Purchase It's SECOND Rescue Plane!

13 Oct 2026 · 2 min

Watch on YouTube

1:49

The video is a persuasive fundraising appeal for the nonprofit Pilots to the Rescue, which conducts "freedom flights" that transport animals from overcrowded or disaster‑affected shelters to safety. Speakers describe the emotional moment of take‑off, the program’s impact—over 100 shelter partners, rescues of endangered species like red wolves and sea turtles, and the dramatic capacity boost achieved two years ago when the organization upgraded to a larger Kodiak aircraft, which doubled the number of animals saved each year. They explain that with only one plane, the organization faces impossible choices and needs a second aircraft to double its rescue capacity and reach. A family foundation has pledged to match donations dollar‑for‑dollar up to $250,000, effectively doubling donor contributions. The appeal ends with a call to action, urging viewers to donate now so their dollars go farther and help protect the planet’s most defenseless creatures.

Chapters

There's a moment right before you take off when you realize this flight is going to change everything.
For these animals, this is their second chance.
At Pilots to the Rescue, we fly animals from overcrowded shelters to safety.
You can feel it in the air. It's like they know brighter days are ahead.
We call them freedom flights.
Because that's exactly what they are.
Shelters often can't believe our rescue flights are free. When we upgraded to a larger Kodiak aircraft 2 years ago, we more than doubled the number of animals we could save every year, just like this guy.
That's when we realized capacity equals lives.
Our freedom flights are often the only option for shelters in remote rural areas or during disasters like floods, fires, or hurricanes.
I can't believe I get calls to fly endangered species like red wolves and sea turtles to safety.
Today, more than 100 shelter partners rely on us, but with only one plane, we are forced to make impossible decisions.
A second plane would double our capacity to save lives and double our reach where we're needed most.
A family foundation has committed $250,000 to match up to $250K in donations to help us purchase a second plane. That means right now your donations are doubled up to $250,000.
It's a great cause. You're out there actually helping some of the most defenseless creatures on the planet. There's no better time than today. Your dollars, plain and simple, just go farther.
This is a huge opportunity that puts a second rescue plane within reach.
Will you help us launch our second rescue plane? Doubling our freedom flights means doubling the furry lives that we can save together.