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Pilots To The Rescue - April 2026
As we round out the first quarter of 2026, we are overjoyed to share that this was our most impactful month of the year so far. All because of YOU, we had the resources to complete an incredible 12 rescue missions in April! Not only did we save 113 dogs and 117 cats from euthanasia, but we also flew six critically endangered sea turtles back to warmer waters where they belong. Your unwavering support for Pilots To The Rescue made the following inspirational animal stories possible:
Six Endangered Sea Turtles Flown Home
Did you know... that Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles are the rarest and most endangered species of sea turtles in the world?
Due to climate change warming the ocean temperatures, sea turtles are missing their cue to migrate south on time, causing them to get stuck in the frigid winter waters up north. As a result, the turtles can suffer from "cold-stunning", a type of hypothermia, which causes them to become weak, lethargic, and unable to swim.
Seeker was one of six sea turtles facing life-threatening complications. Suffering from liver disease, Seeker's condition was so severe that he spent nearly two years at a dedicated turtle recovery center before he was healthy enough to return to the ocean.
Unfortunately, even in April, the northeast climate was still too cold for Seeker. He and his five other sea turtle friends urgently needed a safe release in warmer waters where they belong. That's when Pilots To The Rescue flew into action!
On April 12, Pilots To The Rescue founder Michael Schneider and volunteer co-pawlets and board members Vas Rajan and Andrea Reiff transported the sea turtles on our special-ops plane from our home airport in New Jersey to Jekyll Island, Georgia.
Upon landing, all six turtles were gently released on the sandy shoreline. One by one, Seeker and his friends slipped into the ocean, feeling the relief of warm water rushing over their shell. In fact, their return to nature was so moving that it drew a massive crowd of bystanders on the beach.
Though we were overcome with emotion, our work on this rescue mission wasn’t done.
On the way back from our sea turtle mission, we also rescued 14 cats from an overcrowded shelter in Georgia, flying them back up north where they would have the best chance at adoption.
Our deepest thanks to Modern Aviation for their invaluable support and hospitality during this unforgettable mission.
Fearful Cassidey Learns to Trust Again
We’ve had the pleasure of rescuing some truly stunning animals over the years, but we couldn’t believe our eyes when we met Cassidey, a 5-month old Collie mix.
Her snowy white fur and those impossibly floppy ears instantly won our hearts!
That’s why we were so saddened to learn that Cassidey hadn't had an easy life so far. Her timid demeanor and skittish behavior around unfamiliar sounds and sudden movements all pointed to signs that she was born into a fearful environment. But Cassidey didn't want to be afraid of her own shadow; she just needed a patient and gentle pet parent to be her safe space.
And, thanks to YOU, Cassidey learned how to trust again!
On April 10, our volunteer pilots Stephen Nur and Julia Zielinski took to the skies to rescue Cassidey along with 34 other dogs in Georgetown, South Carolina. With their furry paw-ssengers in tow, they headed back to our home base of Essex County Airport, New Jersey, where our partner shelters were waiting to welcome them!
It only took a few days after being put up for adoption for Cassidey to find her perfect match, who would show her the love and trust she deserved!
Niblet Gets a New Life
Niblet, an 8-month-old mixed breed dog, had big wide
eyes that could speak a thousand words.
He was found wandering alone along the side of the road. While we don't know how long he was fending for
himself, Niblet showed a tremendous level of resilience
for being such a young puppy.
Because of supporters like you, Niblet never gave up
hope.
After being found by a Good Samaritian, on April 12,
Niblet was one of 44 lucky dogs and cats on a Pilots
To The Rescue freedom flight from Virginia to New York.
When a family visits a shelter,
they always ask, “Do you have
any dogs that are good with
children?”.
Take a look at Niblet's
Adoption Day photo and
we'll let you be the judge!
Double Your Impact!
From April 1 through June 30, 2026, Tito’s Handmade
Vodka is matching donations to Pilots To The Rescue up to
$30,000.
That means that every dollar you donate will be doubled!
Our goal is to unlock the match and raise a total of $60,000 to fuel 6 freedom flights, saving over 300 animals that are waiting for their second chance.
As of today, we’ve raised $9,866. We’re on the right track, but we can’t slow down. This campaign will provide crucial support to our volunteer pilots, adoption partners, and rescue teams working together to save more furry lives.
The more we raise now, the more adoption stories we can write in the months ahead.
So, if you’ve been thinking about donating, this is your moment. Your gift will be doubled:
$50 would turn into $100
$100 would turn into $200
$200 would turn into $400
If you’ve already given, please share this important match opportunity with a fellow animal lover.
Let's fly more dogs like Cassidey and Niblet to their fur-ever homes so more families can experience the incomparable joy of welcoming a rescue animal into their loving arms.
