Pilots to the Rescue
Pilots to the Rescue is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 that uses a volunteer private-pilot network to air-transport at-risk dogs, cats, and other animals from overcrowded Southeastern shelters to Northeast rescue partners, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersMerrifield, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Pilots to the Rescue does
Pilots to the Rescue (PTTR) is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2015 that transports at-risk dogs, cats, and other animals from overcrowded shelters — primarily in the Southeastern U.S. — to receiving shelters and rescues in the Northeast, where adoption demand is higher. The organization operates an online Transport Board platform through which origin shelters post rescue requests and a network of volunteer private pilots (with documented minimum-hour and rating thresholds, e.g., 750+ hours and instrument-rated for the Kodiak 100 fleet) bid on mission legs; ground transport is handled by paid drivers ($25/hour) using the 'Paw-ty Van.' Operations are coordinated from a New York mailing address with the primary Kodiak 100 ('Big Paw') based at Essex County Airport (KCDW) in New Jersey and a second donated aircraft, 'Little Paw,' inducted in February 2026.
The business model is donation- and sponsorship-funded: the organization provides transport free of charge to 501(c)(3) shelters and rescues (the FAA prohibits charging for animal transport), and revenue streams include individual donations, recurring corporate sponsorships (Tito's Handmade Vodka's 'Vodka for Dogs' matching campaigns up to $50,000, BISSELL Pet Foundation, Hartz, Modern Aviation, Wag Hotels, Swilled Dog), earned media, merchandise sales (hats, shirts, mugs, pet bowls) through a branded online shop, and donor-list exchange with peer charities. GTM is community-led and event-driven: shelter requests are inbound via the website; volunteer pilots and ground crews are recruited through qualification-gated onboarding; donors are acquired through multi-channel social (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Threads, LinkedIn), monthly newsletters, influencer partnerships, and corporate sponsor amplification. As of the 2026 reporting period, the organization has saved 7,000+ animals and completed 400+ missions since inception, with a 2026 mission goal of 2,800 souls. Governance is founder-led by Michael Schneider ('Top Dog' / Director of Development) with a small board (Sy Blechman since 2016, Vas Rajan, Andrea Reiff) and a lean 1–10 person operational team.
Pilots to the Rescue firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pilots to the Rescue
- Legal name
- Pilots to the Rescue
- Website
- https://pilotstotherescue.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Pilots to the Rescue is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 that uses a volunteer private-pilot network to air-transport at-risk dogs, cats, and other animals from overcrowded Southeastern shelters to Northeast rescue partners, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Pilots to the Rescue is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Merrifield
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Pilots to the Rescue business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: The primary revenue stream comes from individual donations, with recurring campaigns including the Tito's Vodka matching campaign that doubled donations up to $50,000. Donors contribute via the website, direct mail, and during donation drives. The organization also exchanges and rents donor information with other charities.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors like Tito's Handmade Vodka, BISSELL Pet Foundation, and others fund specific rescue missions or provide matching donation campaigns. Sponsors receive brand visibility through mission acknowledgment and social media features.
- Merchandise Sales: The organization operates an online shop selling branded merchandise including t-shirts, hats, mugs, and pet bowls. Revenue from merchandise sales supports rescue operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free transport services for shelters and rescues |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Pilots to the Rescue product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pilots to the Rescue coordinates volunteer pilots and ground transport drivers to move at-risk animals from overcrowded U.S. shelters (primarily in the South) to receiving rescues and shelters (primarily in the Northeast) with available adoption space. The Transport Board platform allows shelters to post rescue requests and volunteers to offer legs of multi-leg missions. All transport is provided free of charge to 501(c)(3) shelters, funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
Product overview
Pilots to the Rescue operates as a nonprofit animal rescue organization offering emergency animal rescue transport services. The core offering is a Transport Board Platform that connects overcrowded shelters needing animal transport with volunteer pilots and drivers. The organization supplements its mission through an online merchandise shop and donation platform. The transport coordination platform serves as the primary product, enabling shelters to request rescues and volunteers to offer transportation, while the shop and donation systems provide financial support for operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Big Paw: Primary rescue aircraft used for transporting animals
- Little Paw
- Paw-ty Van
Products and services
- Emergency Animal Rescue Transport Free air and ground transport coordination service for at-risk animals moved from overcrowded shelters (typically Southern U.S.) to receiving rescues and shelters (typically in the Northeast) with available adoption capacity, preventing euthanasia. Service is delivered at no charge to 501(c)(3) rescues and shelters and is funded through donations and corporate sponsorships.
- Transport Board Platform Online platform at pilotstotherescue.org/missions where shelters post rescue requests, receiving shelters post availability, and volunteer pilots and drivers offer transportation for part or all of mission legs. Used to coordinate multi-leg air and ground transport logistics across the United States.
- PTTR Online Shop E-commerce store selling branded merchandise (PTTR Classic Dad Hat, Adopt Don't Shop T-Shirt, PTTR Mug, We Fly To Save Lives Pet Bowl, hoodies, sweatshirts, bags, and kids' items), with revenue supporting rescue operations.
- Donation Platform Tax-deductible donation system enabling supporters to fund rescue missions, with matching campaign options through sponsors such as Tito's Handmade Vodka (e.g., April-June 2026 matching campaign up to $50,000) and planned giving options.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7,000+ animals saved from euthanasia since 2015
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Pilots to the Rescue
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Pilots to the Rescue technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Pilots to the Rescue partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Tito's Handmade VodkacoreTito's Vodka for Dogs program sponsors rescue missions and runs matching donation campaigns. The partnership has included multiple campaigns, with the most recent matching donations up to $50,000 from April through June 2026. Tito's also hosts Yappy Hours fundraising events and provides swag for rescue events. Victoria Lewis, Northeast Field Sales Manager at Tito's, has publicly endorsed the partnership.
- BISSELL Pet FoundationcoreCollaborative partner on multiple rescue missions including the June 2025 Darla rescue flight from Tennessee to New Hampshire. BISSELL provides funding support for emergency transport operations.
- Wolf Conservation CentercoreConservation partner at South Salem, NY location where critically endangered Red Wolves (including Martha, Oka, and their pups) were relocated as part of species recovery efforts. Pilots to the Rescue provides air transport support for wildlife conservation missions.
- Seuk's ArmycoreCollaborative rescue organization that works alongside Pilots to the Rescue on joint transport missions. Named in honor of pilot and rescuer Seuk Kim. Multiple missions completed together including the December 2025 Christmas rescue of 47 animals from Spartanburg, SC.
- Modern AviationminorAviation partner providing support and hospitality during rescue missions, particularly for sea turtle transport operations.
- Wag HotelsminorCorporate sponsor for rescue missions including the Lyla rescue flight from Tennessee. Wag Hotels provides sponsorship funding that enables transport operations.
- Operation KindnesscoreRescue partner organization receiving transported animals. Participated in missions including the May 2026 Wings, Wags, and a Friend for the Journey rescue.
- Adopt A DogcoreReceiving rescue partner for transported animals. Partner in multi-state rescue missions covering Connecticut, Texas, Mississippi, and New Hampshire.
- Golden Years HavencoreRescue partner receiving transported animals from Pilots to the Rescue missions.
- The Grateful Dog RescuecoreReceiving rescue partner participating in multi-state animal transport missions.
- SPCA Alliance of North CarolinacoreShelter partner in North Carolina that worked with Pilots to the Rescue on the May 2026 Tito's Vodka for Dogs Freedom Flight mission.
- Southampton Animal SheltercoreReceiving partner for the Tito's Vodka for Dogs Freedom Flight that brought 14 rescue dogs to the Hamptons area.
- The Barker ProjectcoreRescue organization collaborating on transport missions from South Carolina to northeastern adoption centers.
- For the Love of DogcoreRescue partner participating in multi-state animal transport missions.
- Arthur's Acres Animal SanctuarycoreSanctuary partner that received Stanley the pot-bellied pig rescue, providing medical care, hoof treatment, and permanent sanctuary.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreFederal agency supporting Red Wolf conservation relocation efforts in coordination with Pilots to the Rescue and Wolf Conservation Center.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pilots to the Rescue competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PetSmart Charities: Large corporate-affiliated animal welfare funder that sponsors transport and adoption programs across the U.S. Operates as a broad incumbent that funds and competes for the same donor dollars that underwrite rescue air transport.
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Largest national animal welfare organization; an early grantor to Pilots to the Rescue ($10K ASPCA Grant in 2015). Operates broader shelter, advocacy, and relocation programs that overlap with Pilots' mission at a portfolio level.
- Best Friends Animal Society: National no-kill animal welfare organization running transport programs between shelters as part of its broader adoption-network strategy. Comparable as a major incumbent running coordinated animal relocation at scale.
- Humane Society of the United States: Large national animal welfare organization with shelter-relocation and rescue-transport programs. Functions as a broad incumbent with overlapping mission in reducing shelter euthanasia through transport.
- Maddie's Fund: Major animal-welfare foundation funding community lifesaving programs including shelter transport and community cat initiatives. Comparable as a funder and program architect for the same euthanasia-reduction problem Pilots to the Rescue addresses.
Direct peers
- Greater Good Charities: National 501(c)(3) running the 'Good Flights' program that flies shelter animals to safety, plus disaster-response airlifts. Materially comparable in mission, donor-funded model, and air-transport logistics.
- Wings of Rescue: Volunteer-pilot nonprofit that flies at-risk shelter animals from high-intake to high-adoption regions, often via large-scale multi-state flights. Operates as a direct peer with a West Coast orientation, offering comparable air-rescue transport for at-risk pets.
- Pilots N Paws: Volunteer-pilot network that transports animals via general aviation, the closest direct analog to Pilots to the Rescue. Operates a national online transport board connecting shelters with private pilots, using a similar donation- and volunteer-driven model.
- Animal Rescue Pilots: Volunteer-pilot network coordinating air transport for rescue dogs and cats between shelters. Overlaps directly on the core mission of moving at-risk animals via small aircraft.
Emerging players
- Lucky Dog Animal Rescue: East Coast rescue organization that transports dogs from high-kill Southern shelters to Northeast adoption markets — a partial-overlap peer that operates in the same origin/destination corridor as Pilots to the Rescue but without the air-transport specialization.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pilots to the Rescue social profiles
Digital presencePilots to the Rescue compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Pilots to the Rescue financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pilots to the Rescue leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Pilots to the Rescue funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pilots to the Rescue M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pilots to the Rescue
What does Pilots to the Rescue do?
Pilots to the Rescue coordinates volunteer pilots and ground transport drivers to move at-risk animals from overcrowded U.S. shelters (primarily in the South) to receiving rescues and shelters (primarily in the Northeast) with available adoption space. The Transport Board platform allows shelters to post rescue requests and volunteers to offer legs of multi-leg missions. All transport is provided free of charge to 501(c)(3) shelters, funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and merchandise sales.
Is Pilots to the Rescue a public or private company?
Pilots to the Rescue is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Pilots to the Rescue founded?
Pilots to the Rescue was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Pilots to the Rescue based?
Pilots to the Rescue is headquartered in Merrifield, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pilots to the Rescue make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships and merchandise Sales.
Who are Pilots to the Rescue's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are PetSmart Charities, ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Best Friends Animal Society, Humane Society of the United States and Maddie's Fund. Direct peers are Greater Good Charities, Wings of Rescue, Pilots N Paws and Animal Rescue Pilots. Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is listed as an emerging player.
Does Pilots to the Rescue have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pilots to the Rescue.