Hello from the cockpit.
It’s been a busy few months for our team. Winter is usually a slower season, but this year we did things differently. With upgraded avionics, we’ve been able to fly and coordinate rescue missions nationwide year-round.
This month marks my birthday, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than helping save more lives.
Right now, every gift is being matched dollar for dollar—up to $50,000—thanks to a generous supporter and his dog, Abba. That means every donation goes twice as far to fuel rescue flights and keep them completely free for the 200+ shelters we serve.
This summer, Dog Is My CoPilot will fly our 50,000th shelter animal to safety. There’s no better birthday gift than knowing we have the support to get there.
I’m incredibly proud of this mission. So far in 2026, we’ve transported more than 2,500 animals to safety, working alongside hundreds of shelter and rescue partners across the country.
Shelters are full. Our planes are full. And every flight means something simple: a new chance at a home. After more than a decade in the cockpit, I can tell you it never gets old.
If you’ve ever wondered why I’ve spent the last fourteen years doing this, the answer is simple: dogs and cats give us unconditional love. Truthfully, I like most dogs more than humans.
I’ve watched thousands of animals board our aircraft, some scared, some older, many overlooked and I’ve been there when they land, stepping into a second chance.
The moment they’re welcomed into someone’s arms, you see it: Relief. Trust. Hope. That’s what this work is all about.
This mission doesn’t happen on its own. Behind every takeoff is a small but dedicated team making it all possible. Our three core pilots fly year-round, supported by a group of volunteer pilots who step in when demand surges.
Our pilot coordinator ensures aircraft are maintained, missions are scheduled, and everything is ready to go wheels up. In the Southeast, additional pilots help meet the growing need for transport. On the ground, our Rescue Flight Coordinators work tirelessly with shelter and rescue partners to coordinate every detail—ensuring each flight is full and every seat is used to save a life. As one flight lands, the next is already in motion. At the center of it all is our Executive Director, Kara Pollard, guiding this mission forward every day.
But as important as the logistics are, what matters most is simple: the animals. Each one has a story. Each one deserves a second chance.
Shelters across the country are stretched further than ever. Animals are staying longer. Large dogs and senior dogs are waiting nearly twice as long for adoption and many won’t make it out in time. Demand for our flights continues to grow, and our aircraft are operating at capacity on nearly every mission.
Every flight opens space in a shelter. Every open kennel gives another animal a chance. Because of your support, we’ve been able to expand capacity, respond to urgent needs, and continue offering flights, carrying up to 75 animals at a time at no cost to our shelter and rescue partners. But we cannot meet this demand without you.
As we approach our 50,000th rescued animal, I keep thinking about the one still waiting right now.
A senior dog who just needs one more chance.
A litter of puppies with their whole lives ahead of them.
A quiet, overlooked dog hoping someone will finally be theirs.
Your support makes that moment possible. When I think back to the early days of Dog Is My CoPilot and how far we’ve come, I know we wouldn’t be here without you.
Right now, your generosity goes even further. Every gift is matched up to $50,000 doubling your impact and helping us save even more lives.
Our team will continue to do what we do best: coordinating and flying these missions so every possible animal gets a seat on board. Together, we can give more shelter pets the second chance they deserve.
