September 2025

Pilots To The Rescue News - September 2025

As the crisp fall air rolls in and our two-legged kids head back to school, our furry friends need us more than ever. Animal shelters across the US tend to experience a big drop in adoptions this time of year, which also means less space to take in new animals.

It's up to us to get as many vulnerable dogs and cats out of these overcrowded facilities as we can. Lucky for us, we have an amazing community of supporters like you ready to step in.

Because of your ongoing support, we were able to rescue 173 homeless dogs and cats in September.

In this month’s newsletter, we have three heartwarming stories to share. Read on to learn how these dogs narrowly escaped a tragic fate and got a second chance at life, all thanks to YOU! 

Big Dog, Even Bigger Heart: Mike's Journey to Freedom

If you looked up the term “Gentle Giant” in the dictionary, you’d find Mike’s smiling face.  Though he weighs over 100 pounds, Mike has the soul of a curious, cuddly little puppy.   Unfortunately, bigger dogs take up more space in shelters, and have a higher risk of being euthanized when space gets scarce.   When Seuk's Army contacted us about Mike, he was scheduled for euthanasia along with 14 other dogs, leaving us us only a few days to coordinate a life-saving rescue. 

It's moments like these when we really count on our donor community, and time and time again, we are blown away by your response. Because of your support, we were able to quickly gather the resources for a Mike-sized rescue mission.  On September 13th, Pilots To The Rescue founder Michael Schneider and volunteer pilot Stephen Nur flew to Greenville, South Carolina, to pick up the 15 dogs along with 50 homeless cats.  Since Mike was too big to fit in a crate, Michael and Stephen needed all the help they could get keeping him comfortable onboard.  Good thing they were joined by Michael's cousin, who made sure Mike was able to look out the window and enjoy every second of his freedom flight.

Mike is currently safe in the care of a kind foster family in his new home state of New Hampshire. Can you believe such a goofy, loving dog was almost euthanized, solely due to a lack of a space?  Mike’s story is a testament to the amazing power of collective compassion. He is alive today because of YOU!

Our 5,000th Save Is Now a Fur-ever Pilots To The Rescue Family Member!

Get your Kleenex out, because something truly beautiful happened at our team retreat last month.  We had just saved our 4,999th animal. Then, our founder, Michael Schneider, had a special idea for our 5,000th.  He discovered a playful pup who was scheduled to be euthanized in a matter of days. By sponsoring his rescue, Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter was able to take him in, making him our 5,000th life saved.  But the magic didn’t end there.

As we were introducing him to the Pilots To The Rescue team at our team retreat, he caught the eye of one of our volunteer pilots, Vikingur and his partner, Sarah.  It was love at first sight!

Tears were flowing all around the room as we added handsome Archer to our Pilots To The Rescue fur-ever family.  What makes this story even more special: Vikingur was the first to step forward as a volunteer pilot for Pilots To The Rescue years ago. After volunteering to fly 50 rescue missions, he’s now welcomed our 5,000th rescue into his own home.  It’s moments like these that show the incredible ripple effect of one “yes!”  

Abused and Imprisoned, Junior Gets a New Life

Looking into his eyes, you can tell Junior's life hasn’t been easy.  Towards the end of August, South Carolina authorities responded to reports of a hoarding situation. They found 39 dogs imprisoned in a decrepit property.  Some of the dogs were tied to trees and on the verge of starvation in the South Carolina heat. Others were in filthy kennels covered in urine and feces. The owner of the property has since been arrested.  Finding space for so many homeless dogs isn't easy. Authorities had no choice but to turn the animals over to Horry County Animal Care Center, which is already well over capacity.

Because of your continued support, Big Paw was all fueled up and ready for another emergency mission. Given Junior’s past, he was understandably nervous about getting on a plane. You can't blame the little guy for being cautious around humans, but our shelter partners and their staff showered him with love and helped him stay calm.  Many staff members stayed well past their shifts to give medical exams to Junior and the other dogs, ensuring they were ready to fly.  After braving the journey, Junior is now safe in the care of Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter in New Jersey.  With his gentle spirit and resilient heart, he's ready for a fresh start and the chance to feel the warmth of a forever home.  

Every day, dogs like Junior are waiting for a second chance.  Your gift today can help save a life tomorrow. Will you join us in giving them the future they deserve?

Honoring Our Founder: Michael Schneider Receives the 2025 Daher Excellence Trophy

We are proud to share that our Founder and Chief Pilot, Michael Schneider, has been awarded the 2025 Daher Excellence Trophy. This prestigious recognition, presented by Daher, the aerospace company behind our Kodiak 100 rescue plane, Big Paw, celebrates individuals who exemplify extraordinary commitment and impact in aviation. This award not only shines a light on Michael’s vision and tireless efforts over the past decade to lift thousands of at-risk animals to safety, but also underscores the incredible potential of aviation in advancing rescue and humanitarian missions.

From our very first mission to today’s 5,000th rescue, our journey has been defined by a simple belief: every life matters.

And while the trophy carries Michael’s name, it truly belongs to our entire community — the volunteers, partners, and supporters who make each flight possible.

Every takeoff, every landing, every life saved has been fueled by your compassion.