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.
![](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/icon1.png)
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.
![](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/icon2.png)
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.
![](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/icon3.png)
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.
![](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/dog-cat-1.png)
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.
![](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/pet-overpopulation-1024x1024.png)
![](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/disaster.png)
![](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/communities.png)
Facts You Should Know
![](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/icon3.png)
Nearly 7 million animals enter U.S. shelters each year and over 1 million of them are euthanized.
![](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/icon2.png)
18 natural disasters occurred in the U.S. in 2022 and 83% of pet owners live in areas impacted by disasters.
![](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/icon5.png)
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
🎉 🩷 ✈️ WE’VE RESCUED 5,000 ANIMALS ✈️🩷🎉
Any day we get to fly animals from a place where they have an uncertain future, to a new area where they’re surrounded by opportunities to thrive, is a pretty wonderful day. And today, we took 69 puppies and pups from Baton Rouge, LA to Bradley, CT for that fresh start. While we were there, we scooped up 6 pups who needed to get to Asheville, NC. What a Wednesday!
As if they wasn’t amazing enough, somewhere along the way one of those sweet dogs became our 5000th passenger. 5000!!!!
Since October 2022, we’ve helped save 5,000 lives!
What a milestone today! We are so thankful to be able to play a role in these incredible, life-saving transports, to work with the most outstanding partners and teammates, and to have the unwavering support of our donors and friends. 🩷🎯🐾👏🏼✈️
![🎉 🩷 ✈️ WE’VE RESCUED 5,000 ANIMALS ✈️🩷🎉
Any day we get to fly animals from a place where they have an uncertain future, to a new area where they’re surrounded by opportunities to thrive, is a pretty wonderful day. And today, we took 69 puppies and pups from Baton Rouge, LA to Bradley, CT for that fresh start. While we were there, we scooped up 6 pups who needed to get to Asheville, NC. What a Wednesday!
As if they wasn’t amazing enough, somewhere along the way one of those sweet dogs became our 5000th passenger. 5000!!!!
Since October 2022, we’ve helped save 5,000 lives!
What a milestone today! We are so thankful to be able to play a role in these incredible, life-saving transports, to work with the most outstanding partners and teammates, and to have the unwavering support of our donors and friends. 🩷🎯🐾👏🏼✈️](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
🎉 🩷 ✈️ WE’VE RESCUED 5,000 ANIMALS ✈️🩷🎉
Any day we get to fly animals from a place where they have an uncertain future, to a new area where they’re surrounded by opportunities to thrive, is a pretty wonderful day. And today, we took 69 puppies and pups from Baton Rouge, LA to Bradley, CT for that fresh start. While we were there, we scooped up 6 pups who needed to get to Asheville, NC. What a Wednesday!
As if they wasn’t amazing enough, somewhere along the way one of those sweet dogs became our 5000th passenger. 5000!!!!
Since October 2022, we’ve helped save 5,000 lives!
What a milestone today! We are so thankful to be able to play a role in these incredible, life-saving transports, to work with the most outstanding partners and teammates, and to have the unwavering support of our donors and friends. 🩷🎯🐾👏🏼✈️
...
It was a wiggly, waggly, wet-nosed Wednesday morning in Baton Rouge as we greeted 69 of the most adorable puppies and dogs from some of our favorite shelter friends across Louisiana. Thanks to our partners, @cathy_bissell and @bissellpets - we were able to bring these darling doggos onboard a flight bound for Bradley, CT.
They’ll be settled in soon and soaking up a New England summer 🥏☀️🌭 - enjoying new friends and hoping to meet that special someone who will make them part of their family. 🩵
Many thanks to our friends and partners who make these flights possible! 🫶🏼
![It was a wiggly, waggly, wet-nosed Wednesday morning in Baton Rouge as we greeted 69 of the most adorable puppies and dogs from some of our favorite shelter friends across Louisiana. Thanks to our partners, @cathy_bissell and @bissellpets - we were able to bring these darling doggos onboard a flight bound for Bradley, CT.
They’ll be settled in soon and soaking up a New England summer 🥏☀️🌭 - enjoying new friends and hoping to meet that special someone who will make them part of their family. 🩵
Many thanks to our friends and partners who make these flights possible! 🫶🏼](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
It was a wiggly, waggly, wet-nosed Wednesday morning in Baton Rouge as we greeted 69 of the most adorable puppies and dogs from some of our favorite shelter friends across Louisiana. Thanks to our partners, @cathy_bissell and @bissellpets - we were able to bring these darling doggos onboard a flight bound for Bradley, CT.
They’ll be settled in soon and soaking up a New England summer 🥏☀️🌭 - enjoying new friends and hoping to meet that special someone who will make them part of their family. 🩵
Many thanks to our friends and partners who make these flights possible! 🫶🏼
...
They have arrived! Our 63 passengers landed safe and sound, and some are already in the arms of their new foster pawrents. 🐾🩷 Sleep well tonight little ones! The adventure is just beginning 💕
@dogismycopilotinc
@bissellpets
@cathy_bissell
![They have arrived! Our 63 passengers landed safe and sound, and some are already in the arms of their new foster pawrents. 🐾🩷 Sleep well tonight little ones! The adventure is just beginning 💕
@dogismycopilotinc
@bissellpets
@cathy_bissell](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
They have arrived! Our 63 passengers landed safe and sound, and some are already in the arms of their new foster pawrents. 🐾🩷 Sleep well tonight little ones! The adventure is just beginning 💕
@dogismycopilotinc
@bissellpets
@cathy_bissell
...
HAPPY FRI~YAY YA’LL! 🤠🌵 There are few better ways to kick off a weekend than in big, beautiful Texas on a sunny morning, surrounded by 63 anxious faces, tiny toe beans, and wagging tails!
We were able to join our amazing partners @cathy_bissell and @bissellpets on another @dogismycopilotinc rescue mission from Edinburg, TX. If it’s true that everything is bigger in Texas, then that explains the hearts of the @pvastxold team. 🩷 They have 1,000 onsite and in their care, so these freedom flights mean so much.
It was hard to say goodbye, but we had a date with friends in Illinois we couldn’t be late for…👋🏼🐶🐾 They were ready and waiting to help these pups find their new families and a fresh start. 💙💛❤️
#getalonglittledoggie
![HAPPY FRI~YAY YA’LL! 🤠🌵 There are few better ways to kick off a weekend than in big, beautiful Texas on a sunny morning, surrounded by 63 anxious faces, tiny toe beans, and wagging tails!
We were able to join our amazing partners @cathy_bissell and @bissellpets on another @dogismycopilotinc rescue mission from Edinburg, TX. If it’s true that everything is bigger in Texas, then that explains the hearts of the @pvastxold team. 🩷 They have 1,000 onsite and in their care, so these freedom flights mean so much.
It was hard to say goodbye, but we had a date with friends in Illinois we couldn’t be late for…👋🏼🐶🐾 They were ready and waiting to help these pups find their new families and a fresh start. 💙💛❤️
#getalonglittledoggie](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
HAPPY FRI~YAY YA’LL! 🤠🌵 There are few better ways to kick off a weekend than in big, beautiful Texas on a sunny morning, surrounded by 63 anxious faces, tiny toe beans, and wagging tails!
We were able to join our amazing partners @cathy_bissell and @bissellpets on another @dogismycopilotinc rescue mission from Edinburg, TX. If it’s true that everything is bigger in Texas, then that explains the hearts of the @pvastxold team. 🩷 They have 1,000 onsite and in their care, so these freedom flights mean so much.
It was hard to say goodbye, but we had a date with friends in Illinois we couldn’t be late for…👋🏼🐶🐾 They were ready and waiting to help these pups find their new families and a fresh start. 💙💛❤️
#getalonglittledoggie
...
As spring gives way to summer, schools let out for three sun filled months, and vacation plans are made, state and national parks prepare for their busy season, as many of them will be destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, traveling families and weekend visitors. Parks are particularly popular with those who want to enjoy the great outdoors with their four-legged companions, and with 429 national park sites and 6,792 state parks across the U.S., opportunities for adventure are plentiful. As park popularity continues to grow since COVID, other opportunities are increasing as well.
A handful of organizations are training shelter dogs to work within parks and protected lands assisting in conservation and invasive species detection. As adoption rates remain down and shelter intake continues to surge, programs that offer alternatives to traditional adoption for homeless dogs are not only changing the future of rescue, but providing one.
READ MORE 👉🏼 https://raceforliferescue.org/scouts-honor/
![As spring gives way to summer, schools let out for three sun filled months, and vacation plans are made, state and national parks prepare for their busy season, as many of them will be destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, traveling families and weekend visitors. Parks are particularly popular with those who want to enjoy the great outdoors with their four-legged companions, and with 429 national park sites and 6,792 state parks across the U.S., opportunities for adventure are plentiful. As park popularity continues to grow since COVID, other opportunities are increasing as well.
A handful of organizations are training shelter dogs to work within parks and protected lands assisting in conservation and invasive species detection. As adoption rates remain down and shelter intake continues to surge, programs that offer alternatives to traditional adoption for homeless dogs are not only changing the future of rescue, but providing one.
READ MORE 👉🏼 https://raceforliferescue.org/scouts-honor/](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
As spring gives way to summer, schools let out for three sun filled months, and vacation plans are made, state and national parks prepare for their busy season, as many of them will be destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, traveling families and weekend visitors. Parks are particularly popular with those who want to enjoy the great outdoors with their four-legged companions, and with 429 national park sites and 6,792 state parks across the U.S., opportunities for adventure are plentiful. As park popularity continues to grow since COVID, other opportunities are increasing as well.
A handful of organizations are training shelter dogs to work within parks and protected lands assisting in conservation and invasive species detection. As adoption rates remain down and shelter intake continues to surge, programs that offer alternatives to traditional adoption for homeless dogs are not only changing the future of rescue, but providing one.
READ MORE 👉🏼 https://raceforliferescue.org/scouts-honor/
...
Nothing melts the heart like a plane full of puppies! 😍🐾🩷🩵….unless there’s also a record breaking heat wave happening, but these little ones are absolutely puddle worthy! 🫠🐶
We popped into Lafayette, LA to meet our partner @cathy_bissell & @bissellpets - along with amazing shelter teams and 49 of the sweetest faces on four legs!
Once they were all safely onboard, we made our way north, to Detroit, where these pups have new friends who can’t wait to meet them, and soon families of their very own.
Thanks for a great day friends! ✈️💛
![Nothing melts the heart like a plane full of puppies! 😍🐾🩷🩵….unless there’s also a record breaking heat wave happening, but these little ones are absolutely puddle worthy! 🫠🐶
We popped into Lafayette, LA to meet our partner @cathy_bissell & @bissellpets - along with amazing shelter teams and 49 of the sweetest faces on four legs!
Once they were all safely onboard, we made our way north, to Detroit, where these pups have new friends who can’t wait to meet them, and soon families of their very own.
Thanks for a great day friends! ✈️💛](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
Nothing melts the heart like a plane full of puppies! 😍🐾🩷🩵….unless there’s also a record breaking heat wave happening, but these little ones are absolutely puddle worthy! 🫠🐶
We popped into Lafayette, LA to meet our partner @cathy_bissell & @bissellpets - along with amazing shelter teams and 49 of the sweetest faces on four legs!
Once they were all safely onboard, we made our way north, to Detroit, where these pups have new friends who can’t wait to meet them, and soon families of their very own.
Thanks for a great day friends! ✈️💛
...
It was a sweet Saturday morning for us in Addison, TX, where we joined @bissellpets @cathy_bissell and @dogismycopilotinc to welcome 43 adorable pups onto our plane, bound for Cinncinati, OH.
These extra special, good boys and girls will spend their Sunday Funday getting to know the amazing shelter teams who are anxious to help them find new homes and loving families.
Welcome Home, Little Buckeyes! 🌰🐾
![It was a sweet Saturday morning for us in Addison, TX, where we joined @bissellpets @cathy_bissell and @dogismycopilotinc to welcome 43 adorable pups onto our plane, bound for Cinncinati, OH.
These extra special, good boys and girls will spend their Sunday Funday getting to know the amazing shelter teams who are anxious to help them find new homes and loving families.
Welcome Home, Little Buckeyes! 🌰🐾](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
It was a sweet Saturday morning for us in Addison, TX, where we joined @bissellpets @cathy_bissell and @dogismycopilotinc to welcome 43 adorable pups onto our plane, bound for Cinncinati, OH.
These extra special, good boys and girls will spend their Sunday Funday getting to know the amazing shelter teams who are anxious to help them find new homes and loving families.
Welcome Home, Little Buckeyes! 🌰🐾
...
This morning, 57 of Baton Rouge’s goodest girls and best boys received a one-way ticket to a fresh start in Connecticut! ~ thanks to our partners @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell
They were anxious to meet their new friends, so we got them on their way! We know they’re destined for wonderful things…thanks for flying with us! 🐾✈️🩵
![This morning, 57 of Baton Rouge’s goodest girls and best boys received a one-way ticket to a fresh start in Connecticut! ~ thanks to our partners @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell
They were anxious to meet their new friends, so we got them on their way! We know they’re destined for wonderful things…thanks for flying with us! 🐾✈️🩵](https://raceforliferescue.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed-pro/img/placeholder.png)
This morning, 57 of Baton Rouge’s goodest girls and best boys received a one-way ticket to a fresh start in Connecticut! ~ thanks to our partners @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell
They were anxious to meet their new friends, so we got them on their way! We know they’re destined for wonderful things…thanks for flying with us! 🐾✈️🩵
...
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.
Feature
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.