A Food Rescue Where No Chow is Left Behind
Learn about our process of rescuing surplus food and transforming it into nutritious meals for pets in need, while reducing environmental impact and supporting struggling families.
At Leftover Love, we've developed a streamlined process to rescue surplus food, transform it into nutritious pet meals, and distribute them to families in need—all while reducing waste and environmental impact.
1
Our dedicated team works with grocery stores, restaurants, and food banks to collect surplus food that would otherwise be discarded. This includes:
Note: We only use uncooked fresh fruits, vegetables, and proteins - not prepared foods.
All rescued food is carefully inspected to ensure it meets our quality and safety standards before being transported to our kitchen facility.
2
Once at our kitchen, our team of trained staff and volunteers transform the rescued ingredients into balanced, nutritious meals for dogs and cats:
Our kitchen operates under strict hygiene protocols to ensure all meals are safe and healthy for pets to consume.
3
We distribute our prepared meals through multiple channels to reach pet owners in need:
Our goal is to make nutritious pet food accessible to all families, regardless of their financial situation, helping to keep pets with their loving families rather than being surrendered to shelters.
Many commercial dry dog foods come with health risks and financial burdens that pet owners may not be aware of:
Many commercial dry foods contain fillers and by-products with limited nutritional value. These foods may meet minimum standards but often lack the optimal nutrition pets need for long-term health.
The high-heat processing used to create kibble can destroy nutrients and create potentially harmful compounds. This processing also removes moisture, leading to chronic dehydration in many pets.
To achieve long shelf life, many dry foods contain artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors that may contribute to allergies, inflammation, and other health issues over time.
High-quality dry foods that address these concerns can be prohibitively expensive, costing families hundreds of dollars per month. This financial burden can force families to choose between their pet's health and other necessities.
Our fresh, human-grade meals provide a healthier alternative without the financial burden, helping pets live healthier lives while keeping families together.
The bond between humans and their pets provides numerous mental health benefits that are increasingly recognized by health professionals:
By helping families keep their pets during financial hardships, Leftover Love is not just supporting animal welfare—we're supporting human mental health and family bonds.
Petting and interacting with animals has been shown to reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels and increase oxytocin, promoting a sense of calm and well-being.
Pets provide companionship and a sense of connection, which can be especially valuable for elderly individuals, those living alone, or people with limited social networks.
The presence of pets has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, offering emotional support during difficult times.
Dog owners in particular tend to be more physically active, as regular walks and playtime provide natural opportunities for exercise.
Whether you want to request meals for your pet, donate to support our mission, or get involved as a volunteer, there are many ways to be part of the Leftover Love community.