A Busy Winter Mission: Nearly 1,000 Animals Flown to Safety!

March 18, 2026

It’s been a busy start to 2026! So far, we’ve completed 20 flights and transported nearly 1,000 animals to safety. Every flight represents dozens of lives given another chance, dogs and cats moving from overcrowded shelters to communities where families are waiting to welcome them home.

We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support our shelter and rescue partners by providing reliable, year-round transport at no cost. These organizations are on the front lines every day caring for animals and working tirelessly to give them a second chance. Our role is simply to help extend their reach. This mission is only possible because of the dedication of our pilots, ground crew, and squadron members who show up month after month to ensure these life-saving flights continue.

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A Major Milestone: Our 45,000th Passenger

This winter we also reached a very special milestone: our 45,000th passenger.

Patricia a medium-sized black pit bull mix who had been waiting patiently at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Palestine, Texas. Like so many large black dogs, she had been overlooked time and again, despite having the sweetest, most gentle nature.

But her story is about to change.

Shelter staff were so excited about her journey that they decorated her kennel and dressed her in a fun celebratory outfit before her flight. Soon she’ll be heading north to Michigan, where she’ll finally have the opportunity to find the loving home she’s been waiting for.

Moments like this remind us why we fly. We are endlessly grateful to our shelter and rescue partners and to the incredible supporters who made this flight possible in honor of a beloved pup🌈. Spreading love in their memory helps give dogs and cats still waiting their chance to be seen, saved, and adopted – THANK YOU!

The Growing Challenge Shelters Are Facing

Across the country, shelters are experiencing a difficult trend. Once animals enter the shelter system, they’re staying longer than ever before.

Large dogs in particular are struggling to find homes. Today, many are remaining in shelters nearly twice as long as they did before the pandemic. Dogs like our 45,000th passenger loving, loyal companions are often overlooked simply because of their size or breed.

Our flight mission helps give these animals another chance by connecting them with communities where adopters are waiting.

Hear the Story Behind the Mission

If you’d like to learn more about how this mission first took flight, check out a recent interview with our Chief Pilot and founder, Dr. Rork, who recently shared the story behind Dog Is My CoPilot on Wyoming Radio.

In the conversation, he reflects on some of the pivotal moments that helped expand the mission including the arrival of our first transport caravan ten years ago, known as the “Big Dog.” Before its arrival, we were able to fly about 20 animals at a time. Suddenly, we could transport on average 75 dogs and cats on a single mission, dramatically increasing how many animals we could move from overcrowded shelters to places where homes were waiting.

Today, we’re saving more lives than ever before, flying nationwide and partnering with more than 200 shelters and rescue organizations working tirelessly for animals in need. It’s all made possible by the supporters, volunteers, and Squadron Members who keep us wheels up and ready to answer the call when help is needed most.

The Squadron Behind the Mission

None of these flights happen without our dedicated Squadron Members who provide reliable support for this mission every month. From volunteer pilots in the cockpit to ground crews coordinating logistics on the runway, it takes a committed team to move animals safely from overcrowded shelters to new opportunities.

Our Squadron Members our monthly donors are the reason Dog Is My CoPilot can be ready whenever a lifesaving flight is needed. Their consistent support keeps our aircraft fueled, our pilots trained, and our team prepared to respond when shelters call for help.

Because of them, we can say yes to animals who need a second chance.. By becoming a Squadron Member, you join a dedicated community of animal lovers who make these missions possible every single month. Their ongoing commitment ensures that when shelters and rescue partners need help, we’re ready to fly.

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How You Can Help Shelter Animals

There are many ways people can make a difference right now:

Adopt, foster, or volunteer especially for big dogs.
These dogs are loving, loyal, and just waiting for a chance. They’re often passed over, but they make amazing companions.
Support your local shelter staff.
A kind word, a donation, or even sharing a shelter’s social media post can make a difference. The people on the front lines need to know they’re not alone.
Advocate for shelter funding.
Animal services are often the last in line for municipal support. That needs to change. Your voice matters.

Let’s work together to make a difference for pets and the dedicated staff in our local animal shelters. They need us now more than ever.