The video follows the Brooklyn‑based charity Pilots to the Rescue, founded by Michael Schneider in 2015, as volunteer pilots fly from Farmingdale, Long Island to Whiteville, North Carolina to retrieve three abandoned dogs—Sunny, Cher, and Shaggy. The narrative interweaves heartfelt commentary from pilots, ground partners, and volunteers, describing the dire circumstances the dogs faced, the logistics of the 90‑minute flight, and the collaborative effort of a small “village” of supporters (including Amy, Rick, and Albert). Upon arrival, the team loads the Pekingese‑mix puppies Sunny (1 year) and Cher (2 years) and a 3‑year‑old Old English Sheepdog, Shaggy, into the aircraft, transports them back to New York, and hands them off to a rescue van for the final leg to their forever homes. The story emphasizes the charity’s mission to give shelter animals a second chance, highlights the emotional gratification of rescuers, and ends on an optimistic note about the dogs’ new futures.
Chapters
How much is that doggy in the window?
Who can resist a puppy? Look at these sweet angels. It's hard to imagine tossing them out like trash. But that's how life began for Sunny, Cher, and Shaggy, 3 of the countless animals left to fend for themselves on the streets.
These animals need love. They can't speak for themselves.
You are the voice for the voiceless. Pilots to the Rescue Started in 2015, is a Brooklyn-based organization made up of volunteer pilots who fly all over the country to save neglected animals and give them a second chance at life. Born out of Michael Schneider's love of animals and aviation, the charity is his answer to the nearly 1 million shelter animals that are euthanized each year according to the ASPCA.
I just feel like there's nobody helping or not enough help for the animals. I started doing the rescues because as long as I'm going someplace, just to go for a $500 lunch is stupid. Pick up a dog and bring it back.
And that's exactly what brought us to Farmingdale, Long Island on a Saturday morning. Our mission: head to Whiteville, North Carolina to pick up Sunny, Cher, and Shaggy. All right, shall we board?
Let's go.
Let's go pick up some dogs.
Yes!
I'm riding shotgun. Okay, we're clear for takeoff. We're clear for takeoff, Tom.
Do it.
I'm nervous.
We're doing it for the puppies. We're doing it for the puppies. Here we go! Smooth, right, Alex?
So far, so good.
90 minutes later, we're making our descent to Columbus County Airport to meet the pups. I'm so excited to meet these dogs. Over-under, I take all 3 of them home. Only time will tell.
You've got a friend in me.
An operation of this magnitude would not be possible without the help of a small village, including boots-on-the-ground partners like Amy, Hi, Amy.
Love the shirt.
Nice to meet you.
And Rick. Thanks for doing this with us.
This is Shaggy. He's a 3-year-old Old English Sheepdog.
Oh.
And we have Sunny and Cher. They're both Pekingese mix small dogs. Sunny is 1, and Cher is 2. I think getting the dogs out of these situations and then seeing them all the way through to find a home and a family where it can live, that's the gratification.
Hi, cutie pie! Your chariot awaits you. Let's load him up.
Attaboy!
And just like that, we're headed back to New York with some precious cargo.
We made it!
We've landed safely back in Farmingdale. Victor, Hats off to the pilot.
This is so incredible.
These 3 dogs have just begun their second chance at life. I'm very emotional. We are waiting for Albert with Pilots to the Rescue now. He's bringing the big van around. We're going to load the dogs up for the last mile, and that's the last stretch of their journey till they go to their forever homes.
Can't wait!
Okay.
Come here, you got more sleep? Hi. Come on. Hi, babe.
And even though it broke my heart, it was time to say our final goodbyes to the Mötley Crüe.
There you go.
Good job. The day beginning dull and gray, finishing bright and sunny for our pups. The perfect metaphor for their odyssey.
Every storm runs, runs out of rain. Just like every dark night turns into day. Every—
