Helping Animals
Find Their
People
RTL wants to help support local organizations that rescue and rehabilitate all kinds of animals — one event, one dollar, one life at a time.
Supporting local organizations
that rescue & rehabilitate
all kinds of animals
RTL wants to help support local organizations that rescue and rehabilitate all kinds of animals. We raise awareness, fundraise, and show up — because every animal deserves a second chance.
Learn More About UsOur Next Event
AMA Recipe For Hope
Build a thoughtful basket with food and supplies to support homeless dogs and cats.
Support Us 🐾Students Making a
Real Difference
Respect The Locals is a 100% student-led organization born in Brooklyn, NY — raising money, awareness, and community love for the animals who need it most.
Three Ways We
Show Up for Animals
Fundraise
Bake sales, bracelet drives, crochet critters, GoFundMe — we use every creative avenue to raise real money for real animals. Every dollar we raise goes directly to the organizations doing the work on the ground.
Raise Awareness
We talk about adoption, fostering, animal welfare, and the organizations making a difference in our community. Awareness is free, and sometimes it’s the most powerful thing we can give.
Community Partnership
We don’t just donate and disappear — we build real relationships with local rescue orgs so our support is consistent, targeted, and as impactful as possible.
The Organizations
on the Front Lines
RTL raises money for these organizations — they’re the ones doing the daily work of rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming animals across Brooklyn and beyond.
Help Us Support Them 🐾Our Founder
Abigayle DePalo
My name is Abigayle DePalo, and I founded RTL as a sophomore in high school. Since then, it has grown into something far greater than I ever imagined. I’ve always had a deep love for animals — something that comes naturally from my upbringing. My mother shares that same passion, and growing up, we fostered animals, pet-sat, and welcomed many different pets into our home. Animal care was woven into my childhood.
The idea for RTL came from a moment that deeply impacted me during a visit to a zoo in Pennsylvania. I noticed animals displaying clear signs of distress and abnormal behavior, and it was heartbreaking to witness. That experience opened my eyes to the reality that not all animals are treated with the care they deserve — and it made me want to do something real about it.
I started this organization because I wanted to make a difference. Seeing the impact we’ve already made has only motivated me to keep going — and I’m excited to continue growing and helping even more animals in the future.
Our Fundraisers
Each fundraiser we host is rooted in compassion, bringing our community together to support animals in need. Through creative events and shared experiences, we aim to spread awareness, inspire kindness, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the animals we care about.
Our Drives
Beyond fundraising events, we run community drives to collect supplies, raise awareness, and bring people together for animals in need. Every drive is a chance to show up, give back, and make a tangible difference in the lives of the animals we care about.
Animal-Based Events
These are events where the animals take center stage. From meet-and-greets with rescue animals to hands-on experiences that connect our community directly with the creatures we care about — every event is a chance to fall in love with an animal who needs a home.
Every dollar goes straight to the animals
We're Brooklyn high schoolers who show up — bake sales, bracelets, craft fairs. $5,700+ raised so far. Help us keep going.
Donate on GoFundMe 🐾Safe & secure — takes 30 seconds
Your money goes directly to animals in need
Medical Care
Rescued animals often arrive injured or sick. Donations fund vet treatment and rehabilitation so they can heal and find homes.
Food & Shelter
Local rescue orgs need ongoing support to keep their sanctuaries running and their animals fed, safe, and cared for every day.
Forever Homes
Funds help rescue orgs connect animals with loving families through adoption outreach, fostering programs, and events like ours.