Our Community Impact
92282
TOTAL PETS SAVED
2461695
TOTAL MILES FLOWN
915028
POUNDS OF AID DELIVERED
23012
TOTAL PETS ALTERED
Our Impact
TOTAL PETS SAVED
TOTAL MILES FLOWN
POUNDS OF AID DELIVERED
TOTAL PETS ALTERED
Welcome to
wings of rescue
Wings of Rescue is a 501(c)(3) animal rescue nonprofit dedicated to flying at-risk pets from overcrowded shelters, disaster zones, and emergency situations to safe havens where they can quickly be adopted into loving forever homes.
Through rescue flights, disaster response missions, humane animal rescue efforts, and emergency animal transport operations, we help save thousands of vulnerable dogs and cats every year while supporting shelters and rescue organizations across the country.
Every flight is done in a fully pressurized plane with the pets riding in the same cabin we are in. There is no cargo hold on any of our aircraft.
We don’t just fly pets. When disaster strikes, our aircraft carry vital veterinary supplies, humanitarian aid, and emergency relief materials to communities in crisis.
Flights can only solve a vital but still small part of the pet overpopulation crisis. Spay and neuter programs are essential to reducing the overwhelming number of unwanted pets entering shelters. That’s why Wings of Rescue proudly sponsors our Operation Pit Stop program, which provides free spay/neuter procedures to low-income families' pets. By making these procedures affordable and available, we help support no-kill shelter efforts and work toward permanently reducing shelter euthanasia.
At the heart of everything we do is the simple belief that every pet deserves a loving home. We know that responsible pet ownership not only transforms the lives of pets, but also strengthens families, enriches lives, and builds more compassionate communities.
Learn more about our impact, explore ways to support rescue missions, or help save lives through a contribution on our donate page.
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Supporting Animal Rescue Shelters Across the Country
Wings of Rescue partners with shelters, rescue organizations, and humane animal rescue groups throughout the United States to help pets facing overcrowding, natural disasters, and limited adoption opportunities.
Our rescue transport flights support no-kill animal shelter efforts by relocating dogs and cats to communities where they have a greater chance of adoption and long-term safety.
Through coordinated rescue operations, disaster preparedness, and emergency animal transport, we help create life-saving space in shelters while giving at-risk pets a second chance.
Nationwide Rescue Flights
We average more than 100 flights per year and have landed in all 50 U.S. states, 8 Provinces of Canada, Mexico, and 15 countries in the Caribbean. We have also assisted in both Transatlantic and Transpacific rescue flights.
Through more than 100 rescue flights annually, Wings of Rescue has transported tens of thousands of at-risk pets from overcrowded shelters and disaster areas to safety across the United States and beyond.
Emergency Animal Rescue & Disaster Response
Wings of Rescue is equipped to respond at a moment’s notice, flying into action to save vulnerable pets from overcrowded shelters and disaster zones.
Our work is grounded in:
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Preparedness for emergencies
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Disaster management planning
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Real-time crisis response
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Coordinated animal disaster relief efforts
This allows our teams to mobilize quickly as part of large-scale rescue missions and emergency animal transport operations.
Disaster Relief Missions
From hurricanes in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the Bahamas to tornadoes in Alabama, floods in Oklahoma, Kentucky, and Nebraska, earthquakes in Haiti, fires in Los Angeles and Canada’s Northwest Territories, and even a volcanic eruption in St. Vincent, we’ve been there.
Our disaster relief operations include:
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Wildfire pet rescue
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Veterinary disaster response support
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Coordinated rescue operations
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Emergency animal transport
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Humanitarian aid delivery
These efforts help ensure pets already in shelters are not forgotten during emergencies.
Humanitarian & Veterinary Relief
On emergency missions, our planes usually arrive with urgently needed veterinary and humanitarian aid as part of integrated emergency operations and broader disaster relief efforts.
Our incoming flights are packed with:
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Food
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Clean water
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Blankets
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Medical supplies
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Veterinary aid
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Emergency relief supplies
At Wings of Rescue, every flight is a mission of compassion, delivering critical relief and helping rebuild hope.
Helping Shelters Reunite Families with Pets
When we fly into disaster zones, we will not fly any pet who entered the shelter until they have had 30 days to be reunited with their families.
Instead, we fly out pets who had been abandoned prior to the disaster, pets who often would be euthanized to make room for animals displaced by the emergency.
This critical action frees up vital shelter space so facilities can care for pets who become lost or separated from their families during disasters.
We know our shelter partners will do everything in their power to bring families back together, and we’re proud to support them through our ongoing animal rescue missions.
Meet Lorelai
Our 89,000th pet flown to safety
Lorelai’s journey marks a powerful milestone; she is the 89,000th pet flown to safety by Wings of Rescue.
She came from a shelter in Texas, where she had waited far too long. A larger black dog with an underbite, Lorelai was often overlooked. Dogs like her often run out of time.
But everything aligned.
Lorelai was chosen for transport and flown to our partner, Dog Lover Rescue in New York, where someone was waiting.
Her adopter had recently lost her husband and was searching for companionship, something to help her begin again.
And we knew exactly who she needed.
Lorelai is gentle, loyal, and full of love, a dog who forms a deep, quiet bond and just needed the chance to be seen.
When the plane landed, her new mom was waiting for her.
What followed was more than an adoption. It was healing, connection, and a new beginning for both of them.
𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐢'𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐥𝐲.
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Shop Wings of Rescue Merchandise
Show your support for Wings of Rescue and help us save more pets. We frequently add new items, so check back often.
Visit our merchandise store to shop and support rescue missions.
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Pet Safety is Our Highest Priority
We only fly pressurized and temperature-controlled aircraft, and the pets travel in the same cabin that we do. They are never placed in cargo holds.
Our Safety Standards
We have developed strict transportation protocols that both we and our shelter partners follow to keep our pet passengers safe and comfortable while on the ground and in the air.
Our highly experienced pilots and Wings of Rescue crew members are extensively trained on:
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Safe pet handling
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Efficient loading procedures
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Emergency response protocols
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In-flight pet safety
Veterinary Health Requirements
All pets are thoroughly vetted and meet our strict medical protocols.
Every animal transported by Wings of Rescue has health certificates issued by USDA-certified veterinarians.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wings of Rescue is a nonprofit animal rescue organization that transports at-risk pets from overcrowded shelters and disaster areas to locations where they have a better chance of adoption and long-term safety.
Our rescue flights transport dogs and cats using pressurized, temperature-controlled aircraft. Pets travel safely in the cabin alongside trained rescue personnel and pilots.
A no-kill shelter is an animal shelter that works to save healthy and treatable pets instead of euthanizing them due to overcrowding or length of stay.
You can support animal rescue efforts by donating, volunteering, shopping merchandise, spreading awareness, or helping support spay and neuter initiatives.
Yes. Wings of Rescue responds to hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and other emergencies by transporting pets to safety and delivering humanitarian and veterinary aid.
All rescue pets are transported in pressurized and temperature-controlled aircraft cabins. Each pet receives veterinary clearance and is handled according to strict safety protocols.
Operation Pit Stop is a Wings of Rescue initiative that provides free spay and neuter services to low-income families to help reduce shelter overcrowding and prevent pet homelessness.
Yes. Visit our Support page to learn more about volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved.
Animal transport rescue helps relieve overcrowded shelters by relocating pets to areas with higher adoption demand, increasing the chances of placement and reducing euthanasia risk.
