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New Partner Resources and Agreements

Thank you for joining our team as a valued partner! We’re all focused on one greater mission — to save as many animals as we possibly can and we are so excited to have the opportunity to work alongside you! You can always reach us by sending an email to flightupdates@dogcopilot.org or call/text 307-359-5452!

Please download and sign our partner agreement. Return your signed agreement to rfc@dogcopilot.org.

Petco Love is dedicated to helping pets live their best lives by building lifesaving communities nationwide—and Dog Is My CoPilot proudly shares this vision! Petco Love is here to support your organization in making a difference. Visit PetcoLove.org to learn how they can help you save more lives.

Our lifesaving animal transport flights are made possible through generous funding from Petco Love. As a strategic partner, Dog Is My CoPilot encourages you to join the Petco Love partner network. Have questions about the process? Contact Petco Love at Partners@PetcoLove.org to explore priority funding opportunities and other valuable resources.

Tips for Your First Rescue Flight

A guide to help you prepare for the DIMC transport flights. Detailed steps and requirements to ensure the safe and efficient transfer of animals, including guidelines for pre-flight preparations, animal crating, documentation, and communication with the flight team.

Dog Is My CoPilot (DIMC) Pre-Flight Checklist >

DIMC works as a third-party entity, meaning we are an independent organization specializing in transport and we are not a sheltering agency. DIMC works with both the source and the destination agency to facilitate transport. While we are not responsible for choosing the animals that are transported, this document serves as a basic guideline.

Dog Is My CoPilot (DIMC) Transport Protocol for Source and Destination Partners >

Interstate Animal Movement Requirements >

USDA State Regulations >

Media is welcome but must be pre-approved by the airport in advance. Notify DIMC if you plan to have media present.

Media Fact Sheet >

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do you fly dogs & cats on the plane together?
Yes, DIMC will fly with both dogs and cats on the same plane.

How many dogs/cats can you fit on the plane?
On average, we transport about 75 animals per flight. The exact number depends on the size of the animals being transported. Flights with medium to large dogs may accommodate closer to 50 animals. Each flight requires a minimum of 50 animals to operate at full capacity. Refer to our Crate Capacity Example for details on previous flights.

How are the pets transported, what type of kennels?
All animals are transported in plastic vari kennels (no wire crates). After unloading, receiving partners are responsible for the kennels and should return broken-down crates on the next flight to keep them in circulation for sending shelters. Please note that the exact kennels may not return to the original shelter.

How are flight dates selected?
Flight dates are planned in advance to allow partners to coordinate logistics. Once partnerships and routes are established, DIMC aims to provide monthly flights for consistent partners. Flexibility from both sending and receiving partners is greatly appreciated.

Who is the best contact for Dog Is My CoPilot?
Rescue Flight Coordinator
Lynette Duford | lynette@dogcopilot.org | 307-413-2166

Executive Director
Kara Pollard | kara@dogcopilot.org | 307-359-5452

What does a flight cost?
DIMC provides this service at no cost to sending or receiving partners. We are a nonprofit organization relying on grants and individual donations to operate.

What should receiving partners expect at the airport?
A detailed flight itinerary will be emailed to all participating partners. It includes the airport pickup location, as well as departure and arrival times. Timely arrival is crucial, as the plane will only be on the ground for 30 minutes to unload and refuel.

  • Check in at the designated Fixed Base Operator (FBO) office for instructions on accessing the tarmac.
  • Drive your vehicles to the plane as directed by the FBO staff for unloading.
  • Coordinate with DIMC’s flight coordinator to confirm how many vehicles will be needed on the tarmac.
  • Depending on the number of crates and partners present, you may need 2-6 people to assist with unloading. Since pilots typically fly solo, receiving partners are responsible for unloading crates.
  • Kennel Instructions: The kennels used to transport the animals must be taken with you. Please plan vehicle space accordingly and bring broken-down crates (with doors secured between the top and bottom) to replace the ones used during transport.
  • Media is welcome but must be pre-approved by the airport in advance. Notify DIMC if you plan to have media present.

Resources

Although animal welfare has made great improvements when it comes to lifesaving, there are over a million healthy shelter pets euthanized for lack of resources or available space every year. Some regions experience the opposite problems of long adoption and foster waitlists and fewer animals available for adoption in shelters than people interested in adoption. Check out this toolkit to help get started with with organization to help transporter pets to save more lives.

Pedigree Foundation

A Guide to Effective Dog Transport Programs

This guide is for animal welfare professionals and anyone else who wants to learn the basics of dog transport. It is intended to serve as a starting point in considering how you can play a role in improving positive outcomes for pets.

Pedigree Foundation

Webinar

Kristen Hassen was joined by Clare Callison, Austin Pets Alive!; Mirah Horowitz, Lucky Dog Animal Rescue; and Karen Walsh, ASPCA to discuss all the details of the toolkit including highlights of real situations, practical solutions, and recommended resources as you get started.

American Pets Alive!

10 Tips for Source Shelters

Whether you’re just starting a transport program or have been transporting for years, there’s always room to grow and maximize your lifesaving impact. Here’s the top 10 tips all source shelters should know for successful transfer partnerships.

American Pets Alive!

10 Tips for Destination Shelters

Whether you’re just starting a transport program or have been transporting for years, there’s always room to grow and maximize your lifesaving impact. Here’s the top 10 tips all destination shelters should know for successful transfer partnerships.

Interstate Animal Movement Regulations

Find out what you need to be compliant with state movement requirements for dogs and cats.