Puppy Rescue Flights, Inc.
Transporting Rescued Pets to Safety Since 2010 Make A DonationGet Involved
Our History
This operation, officially established as Puppy Rescue Flights Inc, a 501c3 non-profit, began unofficially in September 2010 under the initiative of Pilot Michael Young. Over the past 13 years, Pilot Young has personally flown over 8,500 pups/dogs and coordinated the air transport of several hundred more by other dedicated pilots. What started as a personal effort has now evolved into a substantial operation with dozens of volunteer pilots in Alabama and Florida, as well as the support of hundreds of dedicated volunteers providing Ground Support.
As a registered 501c3 organization, Puppy Rescue Flights Inc is committed to the rescue and safe transportation of animals from over-crowded shelters and rural areas in Alabama. The collaborative efforts of our volunteer pilots and Ground Support volunteers play a crucial role in the success of our mission.
Ground Crew Volunteers
Our fantastic ground crews keep the pets busy while they wait to be transported back to Florida.
What Drives Us
Our Mission
At Puppy Rescue Flights Inc, we are dedicated to orchestrating and facilitating secure transportation for rescued puppies and dogs. In select instances, we also extend our efforts to include the transportation of cats and kittens. These cherished companions hail from overcrowded shelters, often high-kill facilities, as well as private rescues nestled in remote rural areas where adoption prospects are slim and euthanasia looms.
Our core mission revolves around providing a lifeline to these animals, sparing them from unnecessary harm. Through our coordinated operations, these rescued pets find their way to private rescue organizations located in urban centers. Here, they receive essential spaying or neutering procedures, comprehensive healthcare, and preparation for eventual adoption. Concurrently, we actively champion the advancement of spaying and neutering initiatives within rural communities, fostering responsible pet care.
Generously donated funds play a pivotal role in sustaining our mission. These contributions are allocated to cover critical transportation expenses vital to executing our rescue operations. Moreover, these funds support the procurement of sustenance, supplies, medications, and veterinary care for these abandoned animals, both at the originating shelters and rescues, as well as at the receiving rescue organizations.
Our commitment extends to endorsing organizations that spearhead spaying and neutering programs, addressing the fundamental causes of pet overpopulation. The allocation of donated funds within our network is a responsibility assumed by our dedicated team of company officers, ensuring that resources reach those in greatest need.
At Puppy Rescue Flights Inc, our mission exemplifies our unwavering dedication to offering a second chance at life for these deserving animals. Every journey, every effort, and every contribution are integral components of our vision for a brighter future for our four-legged companions.
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Why Rescue?
Every year, around 920,000 shelter animals get euthanized.
Out of all the animals that get euthanized in animal shelters every year, around 390,000 of them are dogs and 530,000.
750,000 adoptable animals are euthanized annually in U.S. shelters
Every year, this staggering number of healthy pets face an unnecessary fate in shelters across the nation. These animals have the potential to be saved and adopted into loving homes. This sobering statistic underscores the urgent need for increased adoption efforts, spay/neuter programs, and support for animal shelters nationwide.
In 2023, more than 359,000 dogs were euthanized, marking a peak over the past five years.
The overall euthanasia rate in shelters was reported at 8.5% for the year, up nearly 2% from 2021.
5 states account for 52% of shelter euthanasia in the U.S.
Alabama, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and California are responsible for half of all cats and dogs euthanized in U.S. animal shelters. This statistic highlights the critical need for transport programs that move animals from high-kill shelters in these states to areas with higher adoption rates. Such programs, like Puppy Rescue Flights, play a vital role in saving lives by connecting at-risk pets with rescues and adopters in regions where they have a better chance of finding forever homes. By supporting these transport efforts, we can significantly reduce euthanasia rates and give more animals a second chance at life.
Team
Our Key Volunteers
Michael Young
Founder and Pilot
Jaime Giroux
Lead Flight Crew
Robin Collins
Ground Crew Chief – Orlando
Lauren Bordeaux
Asst Ground Crew Chief – Orlando
Kay Fox
Ground Crew Chief – Alabama
Sylvia Gehres
Ground Crew Chief – Alabama