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When struggling households face food insecurity, it is more likely that their [FAMs] Furry Family members face hunger too, leading to animal malnutrition starvation, abandonment or surrender due to lack of the ability to care for them during financial hardships..
Food Insecurity Affects
Everyone in the Household, including Dogs & Cats...
No Hand nor Paw should ever go Hungry. We provide nutritional meals for Furry Family Members within your community.
A Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Cats & Dogs.
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"(FAMS) FURRY FAMILY MEMBERS"
- NOT PETS
Welcome, let's get to know each other...
WHO WE ARE
RESCUES ON85TH is a 501 (C) (3) NPO Supplemental Nutrition Program.
We are a volunteer-based organization located in Birmingham, Alabama, serving Jefferson County. We collaborate with GREATERGOODS Charities and The Birmingham Humane Society through the GOODS program. We assist in alleviating food insecurity within the household for humans, cats, and dogs.
We provide donated products such as cat and dog food, in addition to bedding, litter boxes, cat litter, and other goods when available.
RESCUES ON85TH is a mobile service that distributes products free to the community in need.
ELIGIBILITY
RESCUES ON85TH verifies the applicant’s household income and overall needs to be eligible. If the individual qualifies, their cat or dog will receive food from a designated distribution site for three months, after which the parent must spay or neuter their cat and/or dog, in addition to providing vaccination records. We request this method to ensure the health and well-being of each animal we serve and to help control the overpopulation of animals. After verification of vaccination, spaying, or neutering, participants qualify for six additional months of food and supplies. If participants cannot afford these requests, we distribute information for no - low-cost vaccination and spay and neuter resources, when available.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must provide valid income verification such as a SNAP, WIC, Medicaid/Medicare, Unemployment statement, SSI, SSDI, Disability, copy of paystub w/ letter of hardship in providing supplies for your cat and/or dog.
Must complete the entire application (Online See Apply above right corner)
Must be the guardian of the Cat or Dog, with proof of such.
Must have a valid government-issued identification, such as a driver’s license.
Must reside in Jefferson County, Alabama.
Applicant must agree to service terms and complete an application at the distribution location or online.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide provisions for a safe and healthy living environment for cats and dogs; to strengthen the human-animal bond and educate on the importance of animal safety and care; To assist in decreasing the overpopulation of cats and dog by providing provisions to keep them in-home. lowering care costs; To be a supportive service in helping to expand the reach of emergency food systems in underserved areas including remote, low-income, or low food access communities, experiencing food insecurities.
DISTRIBUTION CALENDAR
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Sixty-eight percent of all US households—82.5 million homes—include a cat and/or dog (i.e.) Fur Family Members who are treasured sources of emotional support, unconditional love, and stability. According to estimated sources in 2019 (based in part on Shelter Animals Count and other known and estimated sources), approximately 6.3 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.1 million are dogs, and 3.2 million are cats. Although 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted each year (2 million dogs and 2.1 million cats). About 810,000 animals who enter shelters are identified as strays and are returned to their owners. Of those, 710,000 are dogs, and 100,000 are cats.
However, since the pandemic (COVID-19), there has been an increase in the return of adopted animals and cases of neglect and abandonment. Over 65% of cat and dog guardians in our region are now at or below poverty income levels due to high unemployment and cost of living. Families adopting cats and dogs at a time when they could afford the responsibility are now facing dire circumstances such as homelessness, foreclosure bankruptcy, etc. Consequently, we launched the NUTRITION ONE Pantry project to test the effectiveness of providing basic necessities to help cats and dogs stay with their families. We know that by providing this service, we can ease the stress of households facing life-altering decisions, and lessen the impact on already overrun shelters. The project was immediately successful and coupled with our Adopt A Pet network and SNIP! TAT!. Our one-year program objectives include: 1) continuing our partnership with the community Food Banks to set up space for product and pickup; 2) increasing our inventory of food, bedding, basic medical supplies, and grooming products; 3) recruiting more volunteers to staff the pantry; and 4) working closely with the Community Resource Center to refer families in need to other services available in the community.
WHAT IS FOOD INSECURITY AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU AND YOUR FURRY FAMILY MEMBER(S) & NEIGHBORS?
The USDA defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person and animal in a household to live an active, healthy life. This can be a temporary situation for a family or can last a long time, many seek assistance from human food pantries. So, what about families with cats or dogs experiencing food insecurity?
According to Research Gate Study found that "National estimates of household food security fail to take into account the animals in the household, and studies conducted by animal welfare, veterinary, and pet product associations have not estimated the extent to which pets experience food insecurity. Yet the proliferation of dedicated pet food pantries and the addition of pet food to existing food banks suggest that many pet owners are challenged to keep food on the table and in the food bowl".
For FAMs, food insecurity occurs when a dog or cat doesn't have access to regular food in their formative months, so they are either afraid of eating, or they eat too fast, or they hoard food. A dog or cat with food insecurity may also be scared that food will suddenly stop existing and that every meal could be their last. Never punish or intimidate them, they are only trying to survive.
Food insecurity may be long term or temporary. It may be influenced by a number of factors, including income or employment. The risk for food insecurity increases when money to buy food is limited or not available.
In 2020, 28.6 percent of low-income households were food insecure, compared to the national average of 10.5 percent.
Obtaining Supplemental Nutrition Assistance from such programs as food banks, Snap, and food pantries, distributed by non-profits, churches, and federal agencies provide assistance to struggling low-income families helping families stay afloat during financial difficulties. How does food insecurity effect your cat, dog, or any animal.
RESCUES ON85TH" NUTRITION ONE PROGRAM" is NOT a government-funded program. Instead, generous donations and support from individuals and corporate sponsors to provide cat food, dog food and other animal supplies to those in need.
