HOPE HAS WINGS
Race for Life Rescue is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides air transportation for animals in life-threatening situations. Not only ensuring they survive, but thrive.
What We Do
To put it simply, we save lives. We rescue animals from overpopulated shelters, areas affected by natural disaster, and relocate those living in unhealthy environments to safe locations where they have a chance to begin a new life and find a loving home.
How We Do It
With a state-of-the-art airplane and team of dedicated pilots, we fly animals in the most gentle, safe, and secure conditions. We make every effort to minimize any stress or anxiety they might experience, because transporting animals by air ensures they reach a safe location as quickly as possible.
Where We Operate
While our headquarters is in Annapolis, MD, our plane resides in Nashville, TN – a prime midwest location that allows us to easily transport animals and fly rescue missions all over the United States, throughout the Caribbean and South America.
Our Mission
“At Race for Life Rescue, we believe every animal deserves a safe, healthy environment where they can flourish. Our goals are to reduce euthanasia by relocating animals to adoption centers that have a greater capacity for care and high adoption rates, provide lifesaving supplies and emergency evacuation for animals during natural disasters, and support underserved communities with the provisions and program needs necessary to their success.”
Jim DeFrancesco, Founder
Our Flight Focus
PET OVERPOPULATION
Overcrowded shelters lead to difficult decisions, and outcomes we are all too familiar with. By working with partners like BISSELL Pet Foundation, we’re turning consequences into second chances. Each week, we transport at least 100 healthy, adoptable pets to safe rescues where they have a new opportunity to flourish and find a loving home.
DISASTER RELIEF
There were 18 weather/climate disaster events throughout the year, with losses exceeding $1 billion each that affected the U.S. A lack of emergency resources and limited co-sheltering options often force families to face an agonizing decision: shelter in place to stay with their animals or evacuate without them. We hope to mitigate these perilous situations by offering critical transportation and supplies.
COMMUNITIES IN CRISIS
People living in underserved communities care about their pets as much as anyone else in the nation. However, in these areas there is extreme inequity in access to veterinary care, spay/neuter providers, as well as other services most Americans take for granted. Our goal is to team with corporations and organizations to provide the necessary services and resources to keep pets healthy and with their families.
Facts You Should Know
Nearly 7 million animals enter U.S. shelters each year and over 1 million of them are euthanized.
18 natural disasters occurred in the U.S. in 2022 and 83% of pet owners live in areas impacted by disasters.
There are 22 million pets living in underserved communities.
Race For Life Rescue Numbers
Flights
VOLUNTEERS
ANIMALS SAVED
STATES COVERED
*including Puerto Rico
Be a Champion For The Animals
We’re asking everyone to consider a monthly gift to Race for Life Rescue. Monthly gifts are the best, most effective way for you to help us continue rescuing animals and ensuring they have long, happy lives.
The Sky Is Not The Limit
By building long-lasting, trusted relationships with our partners, we’re able to maximize our missions and expand our rescue territory. If you think we could provide an impact in your mission to save animals and support communities, we want to hear from you!
Featured Flights & Mission Highlights
Our first rescue mission was in Oct 2022, during Hurricane Ian, and this year we were part of the initial response efforts for Hurricane Helene. That first flight saved 33 cats, and in the wake of Helene, we rescued over 500 animals, delivered 10,000+ lbs. of supplies, and made multiple flights a day to provide as much support as possible to the ravaged communities of NC, TN and FL.
We know the impact a plane makes, as well as a dedicated team with incredible partners. Sadly, these super storms will continue to occur, but with your help, we`ll continue to respond.
Today, on #givingtuesday, we`re asking for you to ensure we`re ready and have the adequate resources to support communities in the event of natural disasters...after all, it could be yours.
https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/race-for-life-rescue/giving-tuesday
Our first rescue mission was in Oct 2022, during Hurricane Ian, and this year we were part of the initial response efforts for Hurricane Helene. That first flight saved 33 cats, and in the wake of Helene, we rescued over 500 animals, delivered 10,000+ lbs. of supplies, and made multiple flights a day to provide as much support as possible to the ravaged communities of NC, TN and FL.
We know the impact a plane makes, as well as a dedicated team with incredible partners. Sadly, these super storms will continue to occur, but with your help, we`ll continue to respond.
Today, on #givingtuesday, we`re asking for you to ensure we`re ready and have the adequate resources to support communities in the event of natural disasters...after all, it could be yours.
https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/race-for-life-rescue/giving-tuesday
Our work in the Bahamas has been so special for us this year, and it`s something we hope to continue in 2025. The relationships we`ve created with @bahamashumanesociety and @baarkbahamas are ones we hold very dear, and the Potcakes and Potcats of the Bahamas have captured our hearts.
Today, on #givingtuesday, we`re asking you to help us return to the islands and keep working with these amazing teams to spay and neuter the homeless pets, bring much needed supplies, and relocate these animals who would thrive in a loving home.
https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/race-for-life-rescue/giving-tuesday
Our work in the Bahamas has been so special for us this year, and it`s something we hope to continue in 2025. The relationships we`ve created with @bahamashumanesociety and @baarkbahamas are ones we hold very dear, and the Potcakes and Potcats of the Bahamas have captured our hearts.
Today, on #givingtuesday, we`re asking you to help us return to the islands and keep working with these amazing teams to spay and neuter the homeless pets, bring much needed supplies, and relocate these animals who would thrive in a loving home.
https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/race-for-life-rescue/giving-tuesday
It’s always a good day when we find ourselves back in Louisiana with @bissellpets @cathy_bissell and the incredible shelter teams - who always manage to bring the party!
Today Dixie, Rowdy, Ike and 40 more of their friends hopped aboard our plane for their “fresh start” flight to Binghamton, NY! You know what they say, “New York, New You”
Best of luck little ones, we loved having you today! 🐾✈️
It’s always a good day when we find ourselves back in Louisiana with @bissellpets @cathy_bissell and the incredible shelter teams - who always manage to bring the party!
Today Dixie, Rowdy, Ike and 40 more of their friends hopped aboard our plane for their “fresh start” flight to Binghamton, NY! You know what they say, “New York, New You”
Best of luck little ones, we loved having you today! 🐾✈️
We were up bright and early in Baton Rouge, and you know what that means…🐾✈️
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, this one could fill a library
@bahamashumanesociety 🇧🇸🐾🖤🤍✈️🇺🇸
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, this one could fill a library
@bahamashumanesociety 🇧🇸🐾🖤🤍✈️🇺🇸
42 shelter pups from the Bahamas now call Pennsylvania home! @bahamashumanesociety and @stephi.louise worked incredibly hard to ensure these dogs have a long, healthy future and a happy life. We’re so thankful we got to bring these dogs home! 🇧🇸🐾🤍✈️
42 shelter pups from the Bahamas now call Pennsylvania home! @bahamashumanesociety and @stephi.louise worked incredibly hard to ensure these dogs have a long, healthy future and a happy life. We’re so thankful we got to bring these dogs home! 🇧🇸🐾🤍✈️
Our day began long before the sun rose, but we knew it was going to be a beautiful, Bahamian morning…. at 3:30am, the @bahamashumanesociety team began loading dogs into crates and filling trucks, to make their way to the airport. Some had even spent the night there on makeshift beds so they wouldn’t be late.
We waited on the tarmac at @odysseybahamas - anxiously watching the dark road until we saw the ribbon of headlights. Once they were through the gates, the last bit of all their hard work began, as we organized and loaded 42 Potcake pups onto our plane bound for Pennsylvania - and a new beginning.
Young and old, these dogs had beat the odds, surviving years on the streets, and with a little luck, found themselves in the hands of this team. What they lack in space and resources, they make up for in love. Some of these dogs have been with them a long time and we could see it was heartbreaking to watch them go…especially after helping them to heal their hearts, as well as their wounds.
We are absolutely devoted to this team and their community. The dedication of @stephi.louise and the shelter staff, volunteers and friends to the animals of the Bahamas is both fierce and boundless. They told us Potcakes are special, and while we think all dogs are special, there is something amazing about these street dogs. Potcakes have quite a history, and thanks to @bahamashumanesociety - they’ll have a legacy as well.
Even with this flight, their shelter is still overflowing. They need help, and more dogs need this opportunity. If you are a shelter who can help, please let us know.
@bahamashumanesociety ~ Thank you for choosing us as your transport partner this weekend! We ❤️ You All! 🇧🇸🐾
#bahamas #potcakes #rescuedog #ahomefortheholidays
Our day began long before the sun rose, but we knew it was going to be a beautiful, Bahamian morning…. at 3:30am, the @bahamashumanesociety team began loading dogs into crates and filling trucks, to make their way to the airport. Some had even spent the night there on makeshift beds so they wouldn’t be late.
We waited on the tarmac at @odysseybahamas - anxiously watching the dark road until we saw the ribbon of headlights. Once they were through the gates, the last bit of all their hard work began, as we organized and loaded 42 Potcake pups onto our plane bound for Pennsylvania - and a new beginning.
Young and old, these dogs had beat the odds, surviving years on the streets, and with a little luck, found themselves in the hands of this team. What they lack in space and resources, they make up for in love. Some of these dogs have been with them a long time and we could see it was heartbreaking to watch them go…especially after helping them to heal their hearts, as well as their wounds.
We are absolutely devoted to this team and their community. The dedication of @stephi.louise and the shelter staff, volunteers and friends to the animals of the Bahamas is both fierce and boundless. They told us Potcakes are special, and while we think all dogs are special, there is something amazing about these street dogs. Potcakes have quite a history, and thanks to @bahamashumanesociety - they’ll have a legacy as well.
Even with this flight, their shelter is still overflowing. They need help, and more dogs need this opportunity. If you are a shelter who can help, please let us know.
@bahamashumanesociety ~ Thank you for choosing us as your transport partner this weekend! We ❤️ You All! 🇧🇸🐾
#bahamas #potcakes #rescuedog #ahomefortheholidays
Morning plane prep…and then we’re #bahamas bound! There are 41 potcakes awaiting their first flight. Tomorrow we’ll fly them to Philadelphia where they’ll meet new fosters and for some, their adoptive families.
#ahomefortheholidays
@bahamashumanesociety
Morning plane prep…and then we’re #bahamas bound! There are 41 potcakes awaiting their first flight. Tomorrow we’ll fly them to Philadelphia where they’ll meet new fosters and for some, their adoptive families.
#ahomefortheholidays
@bahamashumanesociety
Flying Saves More Lives
We never lose sight of what’s at stake if we don’t complete our mission. We aim to safely transport as many cats and dogs as we can from overcrowded shelters to new adoption partners across the US.
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Our Partners
Get On Board Now
Race For Life Rescue intends to become one the largest animal air transport programs in the country. We are building a passionate team of pilots and animal advocates to increase our animal rescue operation and conduct multiple rescue missions each week.
We need your help. Every donation, each partnership, and all our volunteers are vital in helping us achieve our goal of providing thousands of animals with a new life, in a loving home.
