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
Facts You Should Know
Nearly 7 million animals enter U.S. shelters each year and over 1 million of them are euthanized.
In 2024, there were 27 natural disasters in the U.S., resulting in losses of over $1B each.
83% of pet owners live in areas impacted by disaster.
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
51 puppies, kittens, cats and dogs are settling into their first week as New Englanders…anxiously awaiting new best friends and loving homes ❤️
#rescue #animalrescue #adopt #airtransport
51 puppies, kittens, cats and dogs are settling into their first week as New Englanders…anxiously awaiting new best friends and loving homes ❤️
#rescue #animalrescue #adopt #airtransport
On Friday, we wrapped up our week the best way we know how…by saving 51 more lives! 🐾🐕🐈⬛
Thanks to our partners at @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell - these dog, cat, puppies and kitties found them themselves leaving Baton Rouge and bound for New Hampshire 🩷
We wish these sweet souls a beautiful life!
On Friday, we wrapped up our week the best way we know how…by saving 51 more lives! 🐾🐕🐈⬛
Thanks to our partners at @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell - these dog, cat, puppies and kitties found them themselves leaving Baton Rouge and bound for New Hampshire 🩷
We wish these sweet souls a beautiful life!
56 homeless pets are closer to finding love and a family of their own today! Thanks to @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell these newest New Englanders will know safety and bright, hope filled futures 🐾
#rescue #animalrescue #adopt #airtransport
56 homeless pets are closer to finding love and a family of their own today! Thanks to @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell these newest New Englanders will know safety and bright, hope filled futures 🐾
#rescue #animalrescue #adopt #airtransport
WHISKERS AND WAGS WEDNESDAY! Today 56 puppies, kittens, cats and dogs flew from Baton Rouge, LA to Connecticut and New Hampshire for fresh starts and bright New England futures, thanks to our wonderful rescue partners @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell 🐾🐶😻❤️
This adorable crew were purrfect passengers and we wish them the best of luck in their new lives!
WHISKERS AND WAGS WEDNESDAY! Today 56 puppies, kittens, cats and dogs flew from Baton Rouge, LA to Connecticut and New Hampshire for fresh starts and bright New England futures, thanks to our wonderful rescue partners @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell 🐾🐶😻❤️
This adorable crew were purrfect passengers and we wish them the best of luck in their new lives!
A little Monday Hoorah…as 53 dogs and puppies flew to freedom and into the welcoming arms of our shelter friends in Pennsylvania today! Thanks to our partners at the @aspca 🧡
A little Monday Hoorah…as 53 dogs and puppies flew to freedom and into the welcoming arms of our shelter friends in Pennsylvania today! Thanks to our partners at the @aspca 🧡
The long, holiday weekend may be over, but we’re still celebrating! 🎉💥🐾….because 53 pups are being tucked in tonight by new friends, in new cities, where bright futures and amazing adventures await.
It was an early morning in Mobile, AL…where we met our @aspca partners and welcomed these adorable passengers onboard and flew them to their new beginnings in Pennsylvania. 🧡
Rest well, little ones! Tomorrow is the start of a new journey! 🐶
The long, holiday weekend may be over, but we’re still celebrating! 🎉💥🐾….because 53 pups are being tucked in tonight by new friends, in new cities, where bright futures and amazing adventures await.
It was an early morning in Mobile, AL…where we met our @aspca partners and welcomed these adorable passengers onboard and flew them to their new beginnings in Pennsylvania. 🧡
Rest well, little ones! Tomorrow is the start of a new journey! 🐶
#rescue #animalrescue #airtransport #adopt #louisiana
It was a beautiful morning in the bayou! The sun was shining in Baton Rouge as we welcomed 66 dogs and cats on the plane for their freedom flight to the east coast. ✈️🐶🐱
Thanks to @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell shelter friends in New York and New Hampshire were waiting to give these amazing animals a second chance at a safe life and happy future.
A great way to end the week! 🩷
It was a beautiful morning in the bayou! The sun was shining in Baton Rouge as we welcomed 66 dogs and cats on the plane for their freedom flight to the east coast. ✈️🐶🐱
Thanks to @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell shelter friends in New York and New Hampshire were waiting to give these amazing animals a second chance at a safe life and happy future.
A great way to end the week! 🩷
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
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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.
