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
*as well as Puerto Rico and the Bahamas
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
Today’s LUCKY PUP, is none other than our 10,000 passenger Clyde! A few months ago, Clyde and 56 friends flew from Baton Rouge, LA to shelters in New York.
Clyde was a lucky dog indeed, when he landed in the hands of the team at @animalleague 🩵 He was quickly adopted and now goes by Braxton.
Braxton has two siblings and has made himself at home! All three dogs get along very well and Braxton is very happy and super lovable. We’re happy to hear it!
This morning, 69 pets flew with us from Baton Rouge, LA to the northeast…where second chances await them in shelters across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts ~ just in time for Mud Season! Which means spring is just around the corner. Warm days and happy hearts are ahead.
Today’s rescue is brought to you by @cathy_bissell and @bissellpets 🐾🩵✈️
🌼 Junebug
Junebug was found locked in a cupboard, completely covered in ticks and in desperate need of help. Thanks to BAARK, who stepped in and covered everything needed to keep her safe and cared for, she was given a second chance.
After travelling on a Race for Life flight to Southpaw Conservation in Halifax, Junebug found an incredible home here in Nova Scotia. Her mom had recently lost a beloved dog who looked almost identical to her — it truly felt like fate brought them together.
Looking at Junebug now, you would never know she had such a hard start. She’s safe, loved, and exactly where she’s meant to be.
Our first Lucky Dog was a PAWS Adoption Center pup, located in Camden, Maine.
Wrangler (now Leo)
“When we saw Leo on the euthanasia list in November, our hearts sank. When we realized his date had already passed, we truly thought he was gone. We were devastated, until we found out he was still alive. 🤍
He had been waiting for an adopter who did not show up. So we stepped in, pulled him from Louisiana, and brought him to Maine for a second chance.
On November 30th, Leo found his forever home.
Now he has a family who loves him and friends to play with. The beautiful, happy ending he always deserved. 🐾✨”
Yay for an @aspca day! 🧡 This morning we helped our partners at the ASPCA fly 60 dogs and puppies from Mobile, AL to Pennsylvania...where these cuties are hoping to meet their new best friends and loving families.
Best of luck to these little ones! 😍🐾
Love is in the air...and so were we! Yesterday, thanks to @bissellpets and @cathy_bissell we were able to fly 87 pups and kitties first class, from Baton Rouge to Connecticut ❤️🐾
They were purrrfect pawssengers and we know this flight to freedom was just the first step in their journey to a loving home.
Winter has certainly been wintering! 🥶❄️⛄️ And unfortunately, like so many, we experienced the delays it brought with it. Our scheduled maintenance took a little longer this time, but we’re almost ready to return to rescue….
The Groundhog may have seen his shadow, which means six more weeks of this frosty stuff, but it seems Mother Nature is relenting a bit. And just in time! We will be back in the sky on Friday!
Watch our socials for a flight recap! ✈️ 🐾
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.
Our Partners
We've Also Worked With...
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.