CareCONNECT

CareCONNECT: Nutrition and Resource Support for Approved Participants with Animals in Their Care

Opportunity Category: Community Assistance (Food Security and Animal Welfare)
Funding Instrument Type: In-Kind Donated Goods and Services
Posted Date: 10/08/2026
Geographic Service Area: Jefferson County, Alabama
Contact: info@rescueson85th.org

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Program Purpose
CareCONNECT is a comprehensive program that addresses food insecurity and barriers to basic animal care among individuals and households experiencing financial hardship. Through three components, Nutrition One (N1), Vet Guard (VG), and the Annex Program (AX), CareCONNECT provides essential nutritional resources, preventive veterinary care, and community referrals for cats, dogs, etc. By ensuring that all members of the household are cared for, CareCONNECT reduces financial strain, improves stability, and supports overall well-being.

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Program Components

1. Nutrition One (N1)
Opportunity Number: N1-AL-JC-2021
Nutrition One provides supplemental food resources for cats, dogs, etc., to approved participants experiencing financial hardship. Resources are distributed and announced as supplies allow, with quantity limits to ensure equitable access. The program reduces the need for participants to share their own food with animals, allowing limited resources to be directed toward housing, healthcare, and other essential needs.

2. Vet Guard (VG)
Opportunity Number: VG-AL-JC-2021
Vet Guard provides basic preventive veterinary care for animals in the care of approved participants, including rabies and DAPP vaccinations for dogs and FVRCP or equivalent vaccinations for cats. Participants are also provided referrals and resources for additional medical care as needed. Veterinary services are delivered exclusively through partnered licensed veterinary agencies and professionals.

3. Annex Program (AX)
Opportunity Number: AX-AL-JC-2021
The Annex Program serves individuals experiencing homelessness who are accompanied by cats, dogs, etc. Support is provided through the coordinated pickup and drop-off of supplies at a location provided to approved participants, reducing transportation and access barriers.

Approval for either Nutrition One or Vet Guard automatically establishes eligibility for the other. A separate application is not required.

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Program Overview

1. Addressing Food Insecurity
Individuals and households experiencing financial difficulty often struggle to provide adequate food for themselves and their animals. Many are forced to share their own food or forgo essential expenses, such as rent or medication, in order to feed their animals. By supplementing the food and care needs of cats, dogs, etc., CareCONNECT allows participants to redirect limited resources toward their own nutritional and financial needs. This approach fills gaps in existing food assistance programs that do not account for animals in the home and ensures that no member of the household is left behind.

2. Populations Served
The program prioritizes those at heightened risk of food insecurity, including low-income families; veterans and individuals with disabilities; elderly individuals; survivors of domestic violence; and individuals experiencing homelessness.

3. Animals Served
Animals served include cats, dogs, etc., that live with or accompany an approved participant.

4. Holistic Approach to Well-Being
By ensuring that animals receive proper nutrition and preventive care, CareCONNECT preserves the bonds between individuals and their animals. These bonds contribute to improved mental health, reduced stress, and greater resilience during financial hardship.

5. Financial Relief
By reducing the cost of feeding and caring for animals, CareCONNECT enables participants to allocate resources to essential needs, including utilities and housing, prescription medications and healthcare, and transportation and job-related expenses.

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Eligibility Requirements

Financial Hardship: Applicants must be individuals experiencing financial hardship resulting from emergency or extenuating circumstances. Acceptable documentation may include pay stubs, unemployment benefit documentation, or proof of participation in other assistance programs.

Alternative Verification: Applicants experiencing homelessness may provide alternative verification, such as a letter from a shelter, case manager, or partner agency, or a signed self-attestation, in place of income and residency documents.

Responsible Animal Care: Participants must commit to maintaining the health and well-being of the animals in their care, including keeping vaccinations current. Vet Guard and local veterinary referrals are available to support this requirement.

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Geographic Service Area: Applicants must reside or be located within Jefferson County, Alabama.

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Application Process

Step 1: Complete an application online through the website or by contacting the program office at info@rescueson85th.org.

Step 2: Provide verification of household income and animal identification, including photographs and estimated birthdates.

Step 3: Submit all required documentation demonstrating financial hardship, or alternative verification where applicable.

Note: No interview is required as part of the application process.

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Program Benefits

Improved Nutrition: Participants may prioritize their own nutritional needs without compromising the care of their animals.

Strengthened Stability: Reduced financial strain enables participants to meet critical needs such as housing and healthcare.

Enhanced Mental and Emotional Health: The bond between individuals and their animals is sustained, supporting emotional resilience.

Expanded Access: Mobile distribution and delivery services help address transportation barriers for residents of Jefferson County, Alabama.

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Additional Information

Accessibility: Application materials and assistance are available in multiple formats and languages upon request.

Partnerships: CareCONNECT collaborates with local veterinary clinics, food banks, and transportation services to maximize program reach.

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Eligibility Disclaimer
Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. Submission of an application does not guarantee approval, and eligibility criteria are subject to change.

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Donated Goods Disclaimer
All products distributed through CareCONNECT are donated. Brand, type, size, style, color, and quantity cannot be guaranteed and depend on what has been donated and is available at the time of distribution.

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Legal Disclaimer
RESCUES ON85TH is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals, households, and their animals. RESCUES ON85TH is not a veterinary service provider and does not diagnose, treat, or prescribe medical care for animals. Veterinary services are provided exclusively through partnered licensed veterinary agencies and professionals.

Participation in CareCONNECT does not create a veterinary-client-patient relationship between RESCUES ON85TH and program participants or their animals. All medical questions, diagnoses, and treatments should be directed to a qualified veterinarian.

RESCUES ON85TH strives to maintain the confidentiality and security of participant information; however, absolute privacy cannot be guaranteed. Participants are advised to use discretion when sharing sensitive personal information.

By engaging with RESCUES ON85TH services and programs, participants acknowledge and accept that RESCUES ON85TH, its officers, employees, volunteers, and partners shall not be held liable for any injury, loss, or damage resulting from the use of, or inability to use, its services or products. Participants agree to comply with all program requirements and guidelines. RESCUES ON85TH reserves the right to modify or discontinue programs at any time without prior notice.