Weekend brunch or a weeknight dinner could do more than satisfy your appetite this fall - it could help save a life. Ling & Louie’s Asian Bar and Grill and Ling’s Wok Shop have teamed up with Foothills Animal Rescue in a new partnership that turns every meal into a chance to give back. Together, they’re working to raise thousands of dollars and rally the community to support some of the Valley’s most vulnerable cats and dogs.

“We wanted to give our guests a way to do something extraordinary just by doing what they already love, which is enjoying a meal with friends and family,” Owner John Banquil said. “Every bite, every sip, is a step toward a better life for an animal in need.”

Foothills Animal Rescue, a managed-admission shelter located in North Scottsdale, has already taken in over 400 animals and facilitated more than 440 adoptions this year alone - a staggering 68 percent increase over 2024. The sharp rise in surrenders is largely driven by economic pressures such as rent hikes and housing instability, leaving shelters across the state overcrowded and under-resourced.

“Medical care is our most urgent expense,” explained Lana Shapiro, the shelter’s director of development and marketing. “This partnership helps ensure that when an injured dog or sick kitten comes through our doors, we can give them the treatment they need and the future they deserve."

While the shelter proudly maintains a save rate of over 95 percent, it’s not without constant effort and community support. On any given day, about 70 animals rely on Foothills Animal Rescue for food, shelter, medical treatment, and enrichment. That’s where Ling & Louie’s and Ling’s Wok Shop step in.

Starting September 6 through October 26, Ling & Louie’s will host its Big-Hearted Brunch every weekend at its location on Shea. A percentage of all brunch sales during this period will be donated directly to Foothills Animal Rescue. Over at Ling’s Wok Shop on Hayden Road, Cooking for a Cause runs from September 1 through October 31.

Select entrées throughout the month will be tied to donations. Banquil and his team are no strangers to giving back. In previous campaigns, they’ve raised thousands of dollars for Valley-based nonprofits. They’re aiming high this fall, with a goal of at least $4,000 in donations from each restaurant: “Every guest who dines with us becomes part of a rescue story. You’re not just leaving full, you’re leaving knowing you’ve helped transform a homeless pet’s future,” Banquil said. 

Learn more at lingandlouies.com, lingswokshop.com or foothillsanimal.org.