Service From the Heart: HAS Team Finds Joy in Giving Back at Kisses & Kibbles
Published on February 25, 2026
Huntsville Animal Services (HAS) continued to spread the love at their Kisses & Kibbles Drive-Thru Pet Food Pantry on Saturday, Feb. 21. The event proved once again how much this community cares for each other and its pets.
The annual event is designed to make it easier for City of Huntsville residents to care for their pets. Each household was eligible for one free bag of dog or cat food and one voucher for a free spay or neuter procedure. By 9 a.m. – an hour before the scheduled 10 a.m. start time – Huntsville residents were already lining up.
“This event is about more than food – it’s about connection,” Director of Animal Services John Fischer said. “It shows how much our community supports us and how much we support them.”
The community response was tremendous. In two hours, HAS distributed more than 4,000 pounds of dog food and 2,000 pounds of cat food, along with hundreds of spay/neuter vouchers – helping pet owners provide for their animals and prevent future shelter overcrowding.
“When you spay or neuter your pet, you’re making a choice that benefits your pet, your family and our city,” said Fischer. “This routine procedure helps shelters from getting overcrowded and helps your pet live a longer, healthier life.”
The day wasn’t without its challenges. Behind the scenes, staff worked tirelessly to overcome unexpected hurdles, including transportation issues while picking up pallets of food. Thanks to quick thinking and teamwork, the event went on without interruption – showcasing the dedication of HAS staff and volunteers.
The day before Kisses & Kibbles, HAS managed a 77-animal intake – one of the largest in recent history and HAS staff remained committed to serving the community.
“Our team worked tirelessly to manage the large intake, which created a challenging situation, but this team handled it with professionalism and care,” Fischer said. “Staff was excited to step back from the intake work, just for a few hours, to help distribute pet food and vouchers to Huntsville residents. It was very rewarding and helped reenergize the team.”
A full list of available animals for adoption and fostering at Huntsville Animal Services can be found here.
Animal Services is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 256-883-3782, visit HuntsvilleAL.gov/Animal, or visit their Facebook page to learn more.