Our History
"RESCUES ON85TH was born from the heartbreaking sight of abandoned, starved, abused, and deceased animals on roads, alleys, and in trash cans on 85th Street in South Eastlake, Alabama. One day, Kurt Russell, a frail mini toy poodle, was discovered in desperate need of help. The community rallied together to provide life-saving care, transforming him into a healthy companion. This act of kindness sparked the creation of RESCUES ON85TH, a mission focused on preventing surrenders and reducing shelter overcrowding.

Through partnerships with local food banks, we discovered that many families were sharing their food with their FAMs (Furry Family Members) to keep them at home, preventing surrender due to financial strain. This cycle of food depletion often left families without enough food to sustain themselves, creating an ongoing challenge. Our response wasn’t just to provide food for FAMs but to also address the root issue of food insecurity for both humans and their FAMs, helping stabilize households and avoid the emotional and financial toll of surrender.

At RESCUES ON85TH, we refer to animals as FAMs because they are family. FAMs provide unconditional love, comfort, and emotional support. For many of the families we serve—particularly elderly individuals, veterans, and low-income households—FAMs are the only family they have. Keeping FAMs in the home helps preserve this critical bond, which is essential for their well-being.

What began with one 40-lb bag of food for Kurt Russell has grown into a network that distributes over 340,000 lbs of food, beds, and supplies, supporting over 1,728 FAMs and assisting more than 300 families. Our mission continues to provide food, medical care, and essential resources, helping families keep their FAMs at home. By easing the financial burden and reducing the overcrowding of shelters, we’re contributing to a community where both FAMs and their families can thrive together."

Our Mission
"RESCUES ON85TH is committed to alleviating financial strains on families by providing essential services such as dog and cat food distribution, spay and neuter programs, vaccinations, and access to resource and assistance referrals. Through our partnerships with local food banks, we ensure that both humans and FAMs receive adequate nutrition, addressing the dual challenges of food and housing insecurity that affect entire households. Our comprehensive database connects families with critical assistance for food, utilities, rent, and more—stabilizing home environments and preventing the difficult decision to surrender their FAMs due to financial hardship. By reducing surrenders, preventing unwanted litters, and offering long-term resource referrals, we help families keep their FAMs in their homes, reducing shelter overpopulation and creating a future where FAMs and their humans thrive together."

Our Vision
"We envision a future where no FAM is surrendered to a shelter due to financial hardship, lack of resources, or overpopulation, ensuring that every FAM has a safe, healthy, and loving home. Through proactive community support, accessible veterinary care, and essential assistance services, RESCUES ON85TH is working to keep FAMs with the families who love them. Our goal is to create a compassionate and sustainable network that empowers caregivers, reduces shelter overcrowding, prevents the euthanization of cats and dogs, and promotes responsible FAM care for a healthier, happier community. With each family we support, we contribute to the well-being of both humans and their FAMs."

Our Beliefs
"At RESCUES ON85TH, we believe that every FAM deserves to remain in a loving home, and no family should be forced to surrender their beloved companion due to financial hardship or lack of resources. We believe that access to food, veterinary care, and spay/neuter services is essential in preventing shelter overcrowding, improving the well-being of both animals and their caregivers, and ensuring that the bond between families and their FAMs remains intact. Through compassion, education, and community-driven support, we are committed to building a future where animals are valued, protected, and able to thrive alongside the families who love them. We’re dedicated to not only meeting the immediate needs of families but also to providing long-term solutions that create lasting change and prevent future surrenders."

Why We’re Different
"RESCUES ON85TH is not just an organization that provides food for FAMs. We understand that the emotional, physical, and financial well-being of a family is intertwined with their FAMs. That's why we focus on the whole family, not just the animals. By supporting both humans and FAMs with resources for food, housing, and medical care, we break the cycle of food insecurity and prevent the need for families to choose between their well-being and that of their FAMs. Our comprehensive approach, backed by a deep commitment to community partnerships, makes us a unique and sustainable resource for the families we serve."

Looking to the Future
"As we continue to grow, RESCUES ON85TH is committed to expanding our reach, serving more families, and addressing the complex issue of food insecurity for both humans and their FAMs. With the support of generous grants, we will enhance our efforts to prevent pet surrenders, reduce overcrowded shelters, and ensure that every family has access to the resources they need to keep their FAMs at home where they belong. Together, we can create a community where no FAM is left behind and no family is forced to say goodbye due to financial hardship."