10 years. 49 million meals. One incredible journey. 🐾❤️
How did a small volunteer effort in 2016 become one of the region’s largest safety nets for pets? Rescue Pack’s founder, Kathy Wiesner, shares the inspiration that started it all.
The Mission: Bridge the gap so rescues can spend money on saving lives, not just buying supplies.
The Impact: 16.4 Million+ pounds of surplus goods saved from landfills. 626+ semi-trucks of hope delivered. Hundreds of shelters and rescues supported across the Midwest.
“The whole vision was really around saving more animals. If we could make it easier for rescues and shelters, then we’ve accomplished our goal.” -Kathy
We’re not just celebrating the last 10 years – we’re gearing up for the next! From new medical grants to expanded community partnerships, the Pack is just getting started. 🐱🐶❤️
At Rescue Pack, our mission has always been to support the tireless work rescues and shelters do on the front lines of animal welfare. We know that sometimes, the only thing standing between an animal and a forever home is the high cost of unexpected medical care.
As a reflection of our commitment to the organizations we support and the animals they save, we are so excited to announce an expansion of our partnership: the Rescue Pack Medical Fund. This will provide financial assistance for urgent, non-routine veterinary expenses for animals in the custody of rescues and shelters we are partnered with.
Applications officially open on March 2nd, 2026 at 9am CST. To ensure a smooth process, we recommend signing into the member portal now to review the guidelines, full application criteria, and list of required documentation – including itemized veterinary estimates and medical records.
Our goal is simple: We want to ensure that every dog and cat with a fighting chance actually gets one. We are honored to be able to provide this additional layer of care for those who need it most. ❤️🐾🐶🐱
10 Years. 49 Million Meals. One Shared Vision.
What started a decade ago as a small effort to address pet food insecurity with a handful of organizations has grown into a regional operation serving hundreds of rescues, shelters, and community partners across the Midwest.
Through our amazing corporate partnerships, member rescues and shelters received 16.4 million pounds of surplus pet food and supplies – that’s 49,233,163 meals (enough to feed every pet in a Great Lakes shelter for a year).
Together, we have diverted 17,091 pallets of goods out of regional landfills and into bowls and bellies – this would completely “pave” the field at Soldier Field in Chicago nearly 6 times over.
Our focus for the next decade remains unchanged: deepening strategic partnerships, eliminating pet food insecurity, and supporting local families in need through trusted community partners. We are so excited for what the next decade will bring. ❤🐾
Every crumb counts. 🐾
Deeby’s Senior Chihuahua Rescue recently received two 300-lb boxes of Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried pork patties + Instinct Raw Boost Puppy. Many of their seniors have few teeth or sore gums after dental work, so the crumbled freeze-dried is soft, easy to eat, and packed with nutrition.
The Instinct puppy food? Already sent out to fosters caring for underweight seniors who need to put weight back on.
“Your generosity fills tiny bellies and allows us to focus on healing fragile little bodies.” 💙
This is exactly why we do what we do.
#animalrescue #seniordogs #adoptdontshop #rescuedogs
Rachel is prepping for the #petfood pantry, and bought all 51 bags that they had at @marshalls ! Our next pet food pantry is coming up this Sunday, from 3-6 PM! Please review the what to expect portion of this reel to find the time for your pet(s) type, arrival time at @oak_park_natural_pet_and_fish . We can’t wait to see you and thank you to all of our partners - we can’t do this without you! ❤️🐾🐕🐈
498 pets fed in one month! 🐾✨
We are so excited to celebrate the success of Rescueber’s April pet pantry! Using food and supplies provided by Rescue Pack, they supported nearly 500 furry friends in the Oak Park community.
Our mission at Rescue Pack is to connect rescued food to pets in need, and seeing it reach so many local families is exactly why we do what we do.
🗓️ SAVE THE DATE: Rescueber’s next pantry is THIS SUNDAY, May 17th 3–6PM in Oak Park, IL. Visit their page for more info!
#rescuepack #rescueber #petfood #petfoodpantry #endpethunger
Rain or shine, Tails on the Trails was a success! 🐾🌿
We had an incredible time at the Morton Arboretum last week for our very first Rescue Pack booth — and we’re so grateful to everyone who stopped by to learn more about our mission.
Most importantly, we loved meeting all of YOU… and all of the adorable dogs who came out despite the rainy start to the day 💚🐶
Thank you for supporting our mission to fill bowls and save lives. Events like these help us continue getting pet food and supplies into the hands of rescues and families who need them most.
We can’t wait for the next one VERY soon! Stay tuned! ✨
🐾 Meet Pila, a sweet girl who didn't even know what a toy was until she landed in foster care.
Because of where she came from, toys were a foreign concept. She was scared of them at first… until her foster brother showed her the pure joy of absolutely destroying one. Now? She's a toy-shredding machine, and she needs the tough stuff to keep up.
That's where our friends at BARK came in. Their recent toy donation went straight to Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue, who said it best: "These toys from BARK are so perfect!"
To BARK - thank you for helping dogs like Pila discover what it means to just be a dog. 🧡
#RescueDogs #BullyBreedLove #BARK #FosterSavesLives #ChicagolandBullyBreedRescue
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there, including the rescue moms, foster moms, cat moms, dog moms, or fills bowls, gives second chances, and loves animals like family. 💐🐾
Today we celebrate the compassion, patience, and endless care you give. Thank you for making the world kinder for pets and the people who love them.
Meet Juliet. 🤍
About 2 months ago, she was pulled from a shelter with a body score of ONE - near death, skin destroyed, paws so badly damaged from confinement that her toes had fused together.
Today? She's gained 14 pounds. Her skin is sprouting fuzz. And her spirit? Pure sunshine.
Our partners at Bonafied Rescue have been nursing her back to life with the Instinct Raw puppy food and Blue Buffalo we were able to provide - food that made the difference between a second chance and being passed over.
Juliet is a GSD/Chow mix and she'll be ready for adoption in the coming months.
This is what your support makes possible. Swipe to see her journey so far. 💛
#RescuePack #BeforeAndAfter #DogRescue #SecondChances #BonafiedRescue #AdoptDontShop #RescueDog #FosterSavesLives #DogsOfInstagram #RescueStories
Every pet deserves a second chance.
This Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, we’re celebrating the incredible shelters and rescues that we support - and the people who choose love over convenience.
When you adopt, you’re not just gaining a companion, you’re saving a life and making room for another animal in need.
#AdoptAShelterPetDay #adoptdontshop #adoptashelterpet #rescuedismyfavoritebreed #rescueanimals
