Who We Are & What We Do

The Cheeto Rescue is a grassroots effort built on love, compassion, and the belief that every animal deserves a chance.
We're currently working toward becoming an official nonprofit, with a long-term goal of opening a physical rescue where we can care for cats, dogs, and guinea pigs in need.
We may not have a building yet — but that hasn’t stopped us from taking action. Animals need help now, and that’s why we’re starting now.
Our first major initiative is the Cheeto Pet Pantry, created to help families keep their pets during difficult times. By providing food and essential supplies, we aim to reduce the number of animals surrendered to shelters simply because their families are going through hardship.We believe keeping pets in loving homes is just as important as rescuing those without one.Our Mission:
To keep pets with their families, support our community through tough times, and rescue animals in need — one paw at a time.We are committed to compassion, connection, and creating a brighter future for animals everywhere.

What we Plan To Do

At The Cheeto Rescue, we’re not just responding to today’s needs we’re building a future. Our vision is to grow from a grassroots effort into a fully equipped rescue with the ability to care for animals directly, support struggling pet owners, and create programs that keep more pets safe, healthy, and in loving homes.As we continue working toward nonprofit status, here are some of the things we’re actively planning and dreaming into reality:🏥 Partner with a veterinarian to help provide low-cost vaccines and basic care, especially for families who may not be able to afford regular vet visits.🐾 Host free microchipping events to help ensure lost pets can always find their way home. Microchipping is one of the most effective ways to reunite pets with their families, and we want to remove cost as a barrier.🐶 Expand the Cheeto Pet Pantry to reach even more people and offer more supplies including flea/tick prevention, collars, and basic pet gear so no one has to give up their pet because of financial hardship.🏡 Establish a physical rescue location where we can provide direct care and safe housing for cats, dogs, and guinea pigs in need. This space will serve not only as a shelter, but as a hub for education, outreach, and community support.Every step we take is guided by love, compassion, and a belief that animals deserve safety, and people deserve support.

Cheeto's Story

The Cheeto Rescue is named in memory of a very special orange cat.Cheeto was rescued in Japan from a family who no longer wanted him. At just 10 months old, he had already endured so much but he found love, safety, and a second chance. When he was 4 years old, Cheeto made the journey to the United States and continued living his best life surrounded by love.He was the kind of cat who melted hearts snuggly, playful, and endlessly sweet. He loved leaping onto people’s shoulders, curling up beside you every night, and making everyone feel special just by being near. His gentle spirit and goofy charm made every day better.Cheeto reminded us that every animal deserves a chance and that’s what we’re here to give.Though his life was eventually cut short due to liver failure, Cheeto lived to be 10 years old, spending every one of those years knowing he was deeply loved. His memory continues to inspire us every day.This rescue is our way of carrying his love forward one paw at a time.

The Cheeto Pet Pantry

No one should have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their pet. The Cheeto Pet Pantry exists to make sure they never have to. Currently Serving San Diego.This community pantry provides free pet food and basic supplies to anyone in need no income requirements, no proof of hardship, no judgment. Whether you’re facing unexpected bills, job loss, or just a tough month, we’re here to help keep your furry family members home, happy, and fed.We believe that helping people helps animals, and we want to be a resource you can count on without shame or stress. The pantry operates on kindness, trust, and the understanding that life happens and pets are family.We do our best to supply food, litter, small animal bedding, and other basics for cats, dogs, and guinea pigs. Supplies vary based on donations, but we’ll always do what we can.If you need help, just reach out. If you’d like to donate or host a collection drive, we’d love your support. Together, we can keep more pets where they belong home.

News and Upcoming Events

🐾 Successful Pet Pantry Drive at Camp Pendleton!Over the past weekend, The Cheeto Rescue had the opportunity to host a Pet Pantry Drive at Camp Pendleton, and it was a huge success! We handed out food, treats, and supplies to dozens of military families and their pets.We're so grateful for the support from the community and honored to help keep pets fed and families together. Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word, donated, or stopped by!🎁 Toy & Supply Donations Galore!We were recently gifted a huge batch of toys, leashes, collars, bowls, and more , all generously donated to help us support families through our Cheeto Pet Pantry and future events.These items will be used to fill pantry requests, add extras to adoption kits, and surprise a few deserving pups and kitties along the way. We’re so thankful to our community for always showing up with love and generosity.🧡 Stay tuned — we’ll be sharing photos of these donations in action soon!🥫 Upcoming Pet Food Drive – We Need Your Help!We’re getting ready for our next Pet Food Drive to stock the Cheeto Pantry and continue helping local families in need. We’re currently collecting dry and canned food for dogs, cats, and small animals, as well as treats, litter, and supplies.📍 If you’d like to donate, please reach out to us via email at [email protected]We’re not a nonprofit yet, so donations aren’t tax-deductible — but they make a real, immediate difference for pets in need. Thank you for being part of our mission! 🧡
We will be adding locations of where you can drop off the pet food donations, so stay tuned!

Tails of Hope

🐾 Shadow’s Tale of Hope
Shared by Sthefany Sanz and Family

“The pantry helped us by providing food for Shadow, so we could focus on loving him, not worrying about when we’d be able to buy more food.”

Shadow’s story began in heartbreak, but it didn’t end there. He was part of a litter rescued from a tragic fate after a man threatened to throw the puppies into a river. A kind woman intervened, saving the litter and posting online in hopes of finding them safe homes. That’s when Sthefany saw Shadow. Newly stationed in San Diego and expecting her third child, Sthefany was already balancing a lot. But when she saw his face, she knew in her heart that he belonged with her family. Despite the challenges of a growing family and adjusting to military life, Sthefany opened her heart and home to Shadow. At just five months old, he quickly became a gentle, loving presence, especially with her young kids. Now almost a year old, Shadow is a sweet, kind soul who fits perfectly into their lives. Thanks to the support of the Cheeto Pet Pantry, he stayed right where he was meant to be, home.

How You Can Help

The Cheeto Rescue is powered by kindness and there are so many ways you can be part of our journey.Whether you have time, supplies, skills, or simply a big heart, your support makes a real difference for the pets and families we serve.🧡 Donate
Every dollar helps us buy food, litter, medical supplies, and other essentials for animals in need. You can donate one-time or monthly every little bit counts.🥫 Give Supplies
We’re always in need of pet food (wet & dry), litter, treats, toys, collars, bedding, and small animal supplies. New or gently used items are welcome! Drop offs or local pickups can be arranged.🧺 Host a Pet Pantry Drive
Want to help from your workplace, school, or neighborhood? Hosting a donation drive is a great way to collect supplies and raise awareness.🐾 Volunteer Your Time or Skills
As we grow, we’ll need help with events, social media, transport, fundraising, and more. Let us know what you love doing we might need exactly that!📢 Spread the Word
Follow us on social media, share our posts, or tell your friends and family about what we do. The more people who know, the more pets we can help.🐶 Foster or Transport (Coming Soon)
In the future, we hope to build a foster network and offer transport support for animals going to their forever homes or vet appointments. Stay tuned!Ready to Help?
Let us know how you'd like to get involved!
Together, we can keep tails wagging, whiskers twitching, and pets where they belong-home.

The Cheeto Rescue is not a registered nonprofit (yet), but we are actively working toward that goal.
At this time, donations are not tax-deductible, but every contribution goes directly to helping animals in need through food, supplies, and care.We believe in being honest and transparent with our supporters. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us grow!