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ASPCA, IPAW Fund $1.4M for Shelter Pet Flights

Shelter dogs and cats in crowded regions may soon reach adopters in other areas faster through expanded air transport.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Pets — General

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a warm ochre pet carrier drifting above a teal plain under a pale sky, evoking animals moving toward new homes.
ASPCA and IPAW Rescue announced a $1.4 million multi-year grant to Dog Is My CoPilot, which flies shelter dogs and cats from crowded regions to adopters on the coasts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support nonprofit groups flying shelter pets to areas with more adoption demand?

ASPCA and IPAW Rescue announced a joint $1.4 million multi-year funding initiative for Dog Is My CoPilot, a nonprofit that flies shelter dogs and cats to adoption partners. The ASPCA's $250,000 annual contribution begins in October 2026, aimed at expanding flight transport capacity.

Why it matters

Nearly six million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in 2025, and many shelters are at capacity. Flying animals from crowded shelters to regions with greater adoption demand gives animals a path to homes that ground transport often cannot reach.

The joint initiative totals $1.4 million over multiple years, with the ASPCA's $250,000 annual payment starting October 2026. Dog Is My CoPilot currently transports more than 8,000 dogs and cats a year using three rescue aircraft.

The players

ASPCA

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a national animal welfare organization that runs the Animal Relocation program, which has moved more than 300,000 animals since 2014.

IPAW Rescue

IPAW Rescue is an animal rescue organization contributing an additional $400,000 to the joint funding initiative for Dog Is My CoPilot.

Dog Is My CoPilot

Dog Is My CoPilot is a nonprofit that has flown more than 50,000 dogs and cats to safety since 2012 using three rescue aircraft.

The details

Dog Is My CoPilot moves animals by airplane from shelters in California, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas to adoption partners on the East and West Coasts. The grant funding is intended to increase the organization's transport capacity. The organization has worked with more than 200 shelters and rescue groups nationwide since launching in 2012.

Timeline

  1. 2012: Dog Is My CoPilot founded.

  2. 2014: ASPCA Animal Relocation program launched.

  3. 2025: Nearly six million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues.

  4. October 2026: ASPCA's annual $250,000 funding begins.

The Home Front

The ASPCA Animal Relocation program, operating since 2014 in 40 states with 140 partner shelters, has already transported more than 300,000 animals. This funding extends that established model of moving animals from high-intake shelters to regions with greater adoption demand.

If you are looking to adopt, check whether your local shelter participates in transport programs, since partner shelters may have animals available from other regions. If you foster or volunteer, ask your local rescue how transported animals are prepared for travel and handoff.

The takeaway

Nearly six million dogs and cats entered shelters in 2025, so shelter capacity is a national issue, not only a local one. Before adopting, ask your shelter whether the animal you are interested in came through a transport program and what health records came with it.

Further reading

For more on how shelter animals are moved to new homes, browse our Pets — General coverage.

Live Poll

Do you support nonprofit groups flying shelter pets to areas with more adoption demand?