Pilots To The Rescue News

March 2025 was a heavy month for Pilots To The Rescue. In addition to saving 80 dogs and 29 cats from homelessness, we participated in one of our most emotional missions to date, rescuing four red foxes and four wolf-dog hybrids from a horrific fur and urine farm in northeastern Ohio.

On a much happier note, all eight animals are now healthy and safe, and at least five dogs we rescued in March have been adopted!

In this month’s newsletter, we go into detail about the illegal operation that was housing these foxes and wolf-dog hybrids, so you can see just how much pain they endured before local authorities stepped in. You can also learn some helpful tips for teaching your adopted dog how to lie down and relax!

Thank you for your support in making these missions possible!

26 Pets from SC Get a Fresh Start Up North

On March 8th, Pilots To The Rescue Top Dog Michael Schneider and Co-Pawlet MacKenzie Brendlen flew to Georgetown, South Carolina, to retrieve 19 dogs and 7 cats from Saint Frances Animal Center. Our paw-ssengers for this mission were a particularly eclectic bunch, ranging from 11-pound Brent all the way up to 50-pound Bobby Joe, both pictured below!

With their furry cargo in tow, Michael and MacKenzie headed back up north to PTTR’s home base of Essex County Airport, where the animals were received by multiple NY and NJ-based shelter partners:

Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter
Happy Homes Animal Rescue
Hudson Valley Animal Rescue and Sanctuary
Eleventh Hour Rescue
Ulster County Canines
And Freedom First Rescue in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley

We’d like to thank these organizations for coming together and coordinating this complex rescue with us. Michael and MacKenzie were also lucky to have two more animal experts to keep the paw-ssengers company during the flight: Michael’s son, Luke, and his friend Liberty!

Rocco Gets a Rockin' New Family in NH

How could you not fall in love with Rocco? He's one of the six dogs we rescued from an overcrowded shelter in Virginia on March 8th.

This mission was coordinated by Seuk’s Army, a network of volunteer pilots dedicated to preserving the legacy of animal rescue pilot Seuk Kim, who tragically passed away last November. ❤️‍🩹

Beginning in Essex County, New Jersey, Pilots To The Rescue Ground Operations Manager Albert Picewicz drove down to Manassas, Virginia, to pick up the dogs from The Bigger The Better Canine Camp in William County.

Next, Albert drove about 530 miles up to Chichester, New Hampshire, where the dogs were received by Live and Let Live Farm’s Rescue and Sanctuary.

Given Rocco’s friendly demeanor, it’s no surprise that he found his fur-ever home just days after this mission! Below, you can see Rocco along with fellow paw-ssengers Cinnamon and Keith in the arms of their new families:

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PTTR Saves Eight Animals from the Illegal Fur Trade

These soul-piercing eyes belong to a majestic red fox.

This is one of the hundreds of animals who were previously held captive in a decrepit fur and urine farm located just outside Cleveland, likely for several years.

On January 25, 2025, the Humane World for Animals and Ohio authorities discovered foxes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and coyotes living in wire-bottom cages with very little material shielding them from the harsh conditions outside.

Many animals were missing limbs, ears, or toes, likely due to the cage’s flooring.

Authorities also found a number of wolf-dog hybrids, like the absolutely stunning creature pictured here:

It breaks our hearts to reveal that some of these innocent souls had been caught in steel-jaw leg traps, and were lying on the ground in sheer agony when authorities arrived.

The imprisoned animals were being slaughtered for fur, sold as exotic pets, or held captive for their urine.

As predators, the urine of these animals is often used for hunting and trapping other animals, or to deter wild animals from farms and gardens.

Since the raid, the Humane World for Animals (formerly the Humane Society of the United States) and Ohio authorities have been caring for the animals and arranging placement all over the country. Pilots To The Rescue joined this effort on March 17th, when we flew four red foxes and four wolf-dog hybrids from Zanesville, Ohio, to Sarasota, Florida, in this collaborative mission with Ashtabula County Animal Protective League and Wild at Hart Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc.

The eight animals are now under the care of Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary, and are reportedly in stable health.

Image Credit: Meredith Lee/Humane World for Animals

Adoption Tip of the Month

Teaching your dog to lie down on command is highly beneficial for both parties. It reinforces the concept that calm behavior is good behavior, and gives your dog the opportunity to relax and take a break from all this stimulation.

It's important to note that it’s very hard to teach your dog to lie down when they don't know how to sit first. So, make sure you’ve trained your dog on this command beforehand.

Here’s how to teach them to lie down:

1. Ask your dog to sit with a treat in your hand.

2. Move the hand with the treat slowly towards the ground, just in front of your dog’s paws.

3. When your dog follows the treat and starts to lie down, say “lie down” and give them the treat.

4. If your dog doesn’t lie down, reward them for moving towards the floor, bending down, or just lowering their head.

5. Once they’ve gotten the hang of this, try it without the treat. Just move your hand to the ground, say “lie down,” and reward them with positive reinforcement.

The key is to get your pup to associate the command “lie down” with this behavior. Eventually, they’ll begin to lay down as soon as they hear these two words.

Help Us Continue to Save 100+ Animals Every Month

Pictured here is Freya, a wolf-dog hybrid discovered at the Ohio fur and urine farm.

After a lifetime of captivity, this photo depicts Freya’s first time looking out at the open world from the skies.

Freya may be a wild animal, but according to Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary, she poses no harm to human staff.

Magical moments like this are only possible with your support.

Unfortunately, there are a lot more beautiful creatures living in harsh conditions or overcrowded shelters, and we want to give these animals the lives they deserve. Dogs and cats don’t belong in cages. They belong in homes with loving families.

If you agree with us, please help us fund our next rescue mission. There are plenty of ways to support Pilots To The Rescue if you don’t have the means to donate, and you can explore these options here.

People like YOU give these animals hope, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of our cause.