What is Race for Life Rescue?

Did you know that around 4 million companion animals enter the U.S shelter system each year? That seems like an insanely high number, but the saddest statistic is that out of those 4 million cats and dogs, roughly 350,000 are euthanized and never make it out of the shelter.

Over 50% of shelter euthanasias come from six states- Texas, California, North Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Louisiana. Shelters are often so overcrowded that they need to euthanize for space- often, these are municipal shelters that take in a vast population of stray and owner surrenders. In some instances, communities don’t have the resources to spay and neuter their animal population. In the United States, roughly 48% of shelters operate under no-kill standards. Race for Life Rescue saw a significant need to help provide ongoing time-critical transport.

Race for Life Rescue is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2021. Our mission is to provide time-critical air transport for animals at risk of euthanasia in overcrowded shelters, primarily in the South, to adoption centers where they can find loving, forever homes. Our goal is to work with our partners to help save the lives of as many animals as possible. Race For Life Rescue’s goal is to help place animals into adoption centers, and help network them until they can find forever homes.

Our plane- a 1999 Beechcraft 1900D, 19 passenger commuter aircraft that has been

converted to cargo, will allow us to transport a large number of dogs at no cost to shelters. ​​A dedicated team of pilots and professionals will carry out each flight operation, with our home base being in the Greater Nashville area.

Are you interested in joining the race? Click the link below to subscribe to our newsletter, so you don’t miss our first mission! Race for Life Rescue is a 501-c3, and all donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law.