Hi friends ,I love you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Adopt Cesar!  Cesar is a 2 1/2 year old male Boxer/Pitbull mix who is looking for his forever home.  He was an abandoned/neglected dog, who was skin and bones when I found him.  He is neutered, up-to-date on vaccinations and heartworm negative.  

He is super cuddly and affectionate (he loves sleeping completely underneath a blanket!).  He is an athletic dog who loves to go for walks and runs on a leash.  He is also super content lounging around the house and following you everywhere (although, he will need at least 2, fifteen minute walks a day to exert some energy).  He loves to play with toys, and loves a peanut butter filled Kong!  Cesar will be your best buddy, and forever loyal companion.  He wants and deserves a loving home.  

Cesar is well behaved and housebroken (I have not witnessed him around small children in the home).  He gets along fine with other dogs; he has been to doggy daycare at a few facilities, and did well.  However, Cesar will thrive in an environment where is the one and only dog (if there is another dog, do be aware that he may "mark" his territory in your home).  NO cats!  He is not an apartment dog, you must live in a house. 

 If you have a fenced in yard, it must be 6+ feet tall, because this athletic guy loves to demonstrate his fence jumping skills.  He does fine being tied to a leash outside.  Two things Cesar needs to work on:  his leash walking skills (pulls very hard), and he is very cautious/protective around strangers coming into the home.  Please contact me to arrange a meeting with wonderful Cesar!  Call Anna:  (412)551-3169, annaelambert@yahoo.com   

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

When families fall on hard financial times, finding the means to provide for every family member, two- and four-legged, can be difficult.  Many times, pets are returned to shelters or cannot stay with their families because of financial difficulties.  Since 2007, Animal Friends’ Chow Wagon program has delivered almost 175,000 pounds of food to families in need. The Chow Wagon program currently partners with 23 food banks and a Meals on Wheels group.  Of course, all of this would not be possible if not for the generosity of our community.

Recently, the University of Pittsburgh’s Pitt’s People for Pets group held a pet food drive.  Twelve bins were placed around the Pitt campus to collect food and donations, along with information explaining the need and how Animal Friends’ Chow Wagon program works.  Overall, an amazing 2,090 pounds of food were collected along with a monetary donation of $2014.

But collecting goods is not the only benefit that Pitt's People for Pets provides, says Kannu Sahni, Director of Community Relations.

"It's important to make people aware of this need," Sahni explained. "Some of these families already have trauma, then they lose a pet."

"Pets are another component of the family," John Wilds, PhD, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Community Relations said. "They are companions."

Sahni further explained that educating the community about this need will increase interest, and that is an opportunity to do even more next year.

"We have high expectations," Sahni smiled.

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Guest Blogger: Suzanne Denk, Animal Enrichment Specialist

Dogs are great at detecting smells!  They can find lost people, locate land mines, diagnose cancer, admire your new perfume, and find suspicious luggage content.  Those superior sniffing noses should have some fun! 

Scent games allow a dog to use instinctive skills.  Using the nose lets the dog think and requires the dog to concentrate.  Scent games are fun for a dog but do not over stimulate him and that can be essential when it is too cold to play outside!  A few minutes of a calming scent game can help a dog relax.  Each game only takes a few minutes and can be played in your living room.   

Bottles in a Box: Drop treats into a large box filled with empty water bottles.  The dog must search in the box to recover the treats.  Because the bottles move and make noise, the game can help build confidence.  For a fearful dog, try crumbled newspaper in the box instead of bottles.  Leave some treats visible on the top of the newspapers to encourage the dog to search.  

Seek and Find: Randomly toss treats or kibble into grass, snow, leaves, around a room or on a blanket on the dog’s bed and let the dog sniff and search.  The challenge is greater when the treats are not easily visible requiring him to use his nose. 

Scent Trail: Lay out a trail of tiny treats, Hansel and Gretel style.  This game may be played inside or outside and in any size space.  Some treats may be placed on a bench, around a tree, up on a branch, on the bumper of your car, up the stairs, around the perimeter of a room, or under a couch cushion.  Use your imagination.  A jackpot (a small pile of treats) should be placed at the end of the trail.   

Twisted Towel Treat Puzzle: Place treats on a towel, roll the towel up, and twist.  Let the dog work the towel open to find the food.  Too easy?  Place the treats in a Kong and roll up the Kong in the towel. 

Snack Time Tubes: Gather 6-12 Pringles potato chip tubes.  Drop treats into one tube.  Pile the tubes together.  The dog must sniff to locate the tube with the treats.  The long tube provides a little more challenge to the dog in removing the treat and provides some salty potato chip flavor!  

Cereal boxes and egg cartons: Dogs enjoy tearing up cereal boxes and egg cartons to find hidden treats. 

After a game that requires thinking and sniffing, you and your dog can snuggle up and relax on a cold winter day!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

I am trying to find a home for my cat Marley because my son is allergic to cats, something we only discovered recently after he underwent allergy testing.


Marley is about 2.5 years old and is a neutered, male cat with all four paws declawed. He has always been a 100% indoor cat. He is very friendly - almost dog-like - and has been very healthy throughout his life. He has no bad habits since being declawed. He is accustomed to living with a dog. In fact, his "best friend" was a Labrador Retriever until she died last summer. He would often sleep with her in her crate. He has also co-habited for periods with other dogs (a beagle, a pointer).


He eats dried food exclusively (Orijen/Acana). He loves to eat! He is still very playful and enjoys watching birds and bugs. He is very sociable with people and spends most of his time following me around, kind of like a dog. He greets me at the door when I get home. He also "talks" a lot, like really a lot. He would make a great companion for someone looking for a friendly pet.


You can contact me through email at chris.gick@novachem.com, or call me at 412-327-2462.

Monday, January 6, 2014

Guest Blogger: Diane Friske

Please do not let the following stop you from adopting a cat or a kitten or several cats or kittens.  You must have a sense of humor and not expect to keep a “Martha Stewart” tree.

Warning: The names contained in this story have not been changed, as they are not innocent.

The culprits:    
        Sally and Bowie – two 10-year-old tuxedo cats
        Athena and Apollo – two 4-and-a-half-year-old, part Siamese cats. Animal Friends alumni.
        Bobette – 3-year-old gray cat. Animal Friends alum and foster fail.
        Cocoa Puff – 5-month-old chocolate kitten. Animal Friends Alumni and foster failure.

The tree is being decorated. All six Friske cats and two of the foster kittens are all lined up, eying which lights to lower to the floor and deciding who gets to bat which ornaments off the tree.  They can hardly wait until we turned the lights out and went to bed.

Day 1: One string of lights and five ornaments down!  One sea gull ornament, kill and dissected by the most beautiful cat in the world, Athena.

Day 2: Three ornaments down. One wise man down. One cat sleeping on the tree skirt. One cat sleeping under the tree skirt.

Day 3: Lower string of lights even lower to the floor.  One wise man down. Tree skirt is a mess, all crumpled up.

Day 3 ½: Went to dinner last night. Returned to all 3 wise men and a shepherd boy down for the count.

Day 4: 3 ornaments down. Tree skirt situation worsening.

Day 5: Five (isn’t it cute how they match the number of ornaments with the day?) ornaments down, one never to return. One wise man down. Same wise man as always. They must not like him.

Day 6: One shepherd boy down. Tree skirt a mess again. Rubber lizard placed under the tree. Hairball also placed under the tree. If you have Christmas table runners with tassels on the ends and 6 cats, do not let the tassels hang over the edge of the table.  You will be sorry. Gifts have been placed under the tree and cats are currently chasing each other over the gifts and around the tree.  We may not have to unwrap any gifts come Christmas.

Day 7: Only one shepherd boy down today. However, someone either chewed, jumped on or ran over a gift. Wrapping paper torn in two places. Fixed with masking tape. Recipient has cats and will understand.

Christmas Day: Found one ornament under the pie safe. White cat (aka: The Most Beautiful Cat in the World) found chewing the wires of the tree lights just like the white cat in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. One bow chewed. Rubber lizard placed carefully in the water bowl.  White cat’s brother (also an Animal Friends’ alum) chewed open a box of cookies and threw one he didn’t like on the floor.  He also took a bite of the coffee cake. Can’t believe Santa left them treats and toys!

The day after Christmas: All is calm with the cats. Excitement is over and they are recovering from a catnip hangover. It’s been fun.

Guest Blogger: The staff at Petagogy

It’s a new year, which always comes with new resolutions to eat healthier! One way to eat better is to incorporate superfoods into our diets, which can lead to healthier immune and digestive systems, as well as make us look and feel better. Our pets can also benefit from superfoods, and it’s a great time to start incorporating superfoods into their diets as well. Many of these foods can be found in high quality commercial pet foods and treats, or can be added as supplements to your furkids’ diets. For 2014, resolve to add these superfoods to your pup’s meals and snacks and you just might turn your regular dog into a super dog!

Chia Seeds
Chia seeds contain B vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acids, protein and fiber. The nutrients in chia seeds support your dog's skin, joints, vision, immune system, brain development, blood sugar levels, healthy digestion and weight maintenance. Try sprinkling a small amount of seeds onto your dog’s food or switching to a kibble that contains chia seeds, such as Solid Gold Sun Dancer. 

Eggs
Eggs are an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals for both humans and dogs. The extra protein will keep your pup feeling full longer and will help maintain joint and muscle health. Many high quality dog foods, such as Fromm, Now Fresh and Holistic Blend, include eggs as an extra source of protein on top of high amounts of animal protein. 

Fish
Fish that is rich in Omega-3 fats is just as beneficial for your pup as it is for you. From joint health to skin and coat conditioning to fighting cancer, adding fish and fish oil to your dog’s diet can only benefit his or her health. Try switching to a dog food that features fish as the main protein, such as Acana Pacifica, Orijen Six Fish or Zignature Trout & Salmon, let your pup snack on fish skin treats like Beams from The Honest Kitchen or add a few squirts of salmon oil to your pup’s breakfast or dinner.

Tripe   
Tripe is a delicacy for both humans and dogs! Green unbleached tripe contains a plethora of digestive enzymes that both aid in digestion and purify and cleanse the blood and remove toxins, parasites and fungus. The digestive enzymes found in tripe also improve metabolism, hormone function and boost the immune system. Tripett is a great canned green tripe that is available in a variety of different proteins, including beef, duck, salmon, bison, venison and lamb, that can be added as a supplement to you dog’s kibble. 

Yogurt
The prebiotics in yogurt help our digestive systems produce friendly bacteria, which aids in digestion and helps ward off a multitude of problems ranging from constipation to other more serious conditions. Try adding a dollop of plain yogurt (with no sugar added) to your dog’s meal or give your dog a yogurt-based treat like YoPup’s probiotic blend cookies. 

Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil is about 50% lauric acid, of which the only other abundant source found in nature is in human breast milk. The fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in mother's milk and have similar nutritional effects. When ingested, coconut oil has been known to improve digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as alleviate digestive disorders like Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and colitis. The bonus: it’s also great for skin and coat and immune health.

The recommended amount to give your pets is 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight, or 1 tablespoon per 30 lbs of body weight. Too much coconut oil can actually damage your pet’s pancreas, so it’s best to give it in small doses (about a quarter of the recommended amount), gradually building up your pet’s tolerance overtime. Any virgin coconut oil from health food stores can be fed to pets, but we love CocoTherapy’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and Chips.

Sweet Potatoes and Pumpkin
Not only are they loaded with antioxidents, but sweet potatoes and pumpkin also help improve your dog’s digestive system. The high amount of beta-carotene that gives both vegetables their orange color is greatly beneficial for helping to stabilize a dog’s blood sugar. Sweet potatoes and pumpkin also contain soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps eliminate waste from the body and absorbs water to slow digestion and aid in nutrient absorption. Insoluble fiber is considered a gut-healthy fiber that adds bulk to your pet’s diet, helping to eliminate or reduce constipation. Try giving your dog a Sam’s Yams chew made only of dehydrated sweet potatoes or simply add a tablespoon of pumpkin to your pup’s meal (the suggested serving size is 1 tablespoon per 10 lbs of weight as a daily food supplement).  

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Materials needed are: a large Styrofoam cooler or sheets of one-inch thick hard Styrofoam, a large box or Rubbermaid storage bin, a box cutter or utility knife, black plastic sheeting, Gorilla tape and straw. Then assemble as follows:


Place the large Styrofoam cooler in a box that is about the same size and tape closed or line the box with sheets of Styrofoam cut to fit.

Cut a round doorway about six inches in diameter in one of the long sides of the box, cutting through the box and Styrofoam (Do not cut the hole in the center as the wind will blow straight in).  Make sure to cut the circle towards the side and high enough so that the bottom of the doorway is several inches above the ground. 

Cut a piece of the plastic sheeting to completely cover the box.  Wrap the box as tight as possible and secure all loose ends with Gorilla tape.  Make sure to cover all openings with tape to make the house as water tight as possible.

Cut the plastic sheeting that is covering the opening like you would cut a pie.  Use small pieces of Gorilla tape to secure the plastic and make a nice smooth opening.

Stuff the bottom of the box with straw.

When placing the shelter face the opening away from the prevailing wind direction.  The shelter is fairly lightweight and may need to be weighed down.   Catnip can be sprinkled inside at first to attract the cats.

Monday, December 23, 2013

 We did it!

As part of an aggressive program to end pet overpopulation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, Animal Friends reached their goal to spay or neuter 10,000 pets in 2013.

On Thursday, December 19 – just 11 days shy of the end of the year – Animal Friends’ Low-Cost Spay/Neuter team completed the 10,000th surgery of the year! The lucky cat was Jackie, a young black female, brought in to be spayed by her caregiver Rebecca Lafferty. Lafferty found Jackie as a pregnant stray and brought her into her home so she could have a safe place to nurse and care for her kittens.

Jackie (black cat) and her kitten relaxing after their surgeries

Animal Friends knows that spay and neuter programs are the only way to proactively relieve the pet overpopulation problem in our region. In Allegheny County alone, conservative estimates show that 20,000 homeless animals are euthanized every year. The problem is simple: there are too many pets and not enough homes.

Rebecca gets a basket of cat treat and toys from our  

Low Cost Spay/Neuter Coordinator Carol Whaley

Early this year, the organization set a goal: To alter 10,000 pets in 2013. An unprecedented number for Animal Friends, but one that is made possible through an aggressive low-cost spay/neuter program which includes in-house clinics, a mobile surgical unit and strong partnerships with outside organizations and the city of Pittsburgh.


While Animal Friends is proud of its achievement, there’s still much more work to be done. The organization dreams of a day when pets are no longer needlessly euthanized in Southwestern Pennsylvania.


So Animal Friends will continue to bring affordable, high-quality surgeries to the pets in our region. And we’re prepared to step up our efforts even more.

The healing power of the human-animal bond is nothing short of astounding.  Pet owners tend to have better psychological wellbeing and fewer minor health problems.  From lowering our blood pressure and reducing stress to enhancing self-esteem and empathy in our children, pets seem to carry that holiday spirit of compassion with them all year round.  There is so much we can learn from them and so much we can enjoy by allowing them to be a part of our lives!

One of the simplest ways animals enhance our lives is through the power of smiles.  Have you ever noticed how a child’s face immediately lights up at the sight of an adorable kitten?  What about a bed-ridden hospital patient who gets a visit from a therapy dog?  A simple smile changes your brain chemistry to put you in a better mood.  What better to make you smile after a long day at work than a wiggly-butt waiting for you when you arrive home?

If you’ve already got an animal companion, consider spreading some smiles.  Invite your neighbors over for coffee so they can receive some loving purrs from your cat.  Stop and visit with folks along the way next time you take your dog for a walk.  Share a silly video of your bunny getting into trouble with friends online.  The benefits of interacting with an animal are many, but just making us smile is one of the greatest gifts they give.

Part of our vision here at Animal Friends is to promote the human-animal bond and we hope you’ll ring in the New Year with as many smiles as possible.  We guarantee that bringing a new furry friend into your family will give you plenty of reasons to smile!
 

Friday, December 20, 2013

Animal Friends recently hosted a two-day, multi-location event on December 13th and 14th through the ASPCA/Subaru Share the Love program.  This adoption extravaganza was successful in part due to additional shelters coming to Animal Friends including Greene County Humane Society and Four Footed Friends.  Animal Friends also had adoptable animals offsite at Day Apollo Subaru in Moon Township. 

Greene County Humane Society and Animal Friends have a strong relationship, as they often transfer many of their animals to us.  On average, Greene County brings hundreds of adoptable animals to our shelter.  For this event, they chose to highlight cats and brought 40 of them to showcase in our Outreach Center.  Throughout the event, Greene County successfully adopted four cats into forever homes.  At the conclusion of the weekend, Animal Friends was able to admit 31 of the cats brought in from Green County.  That means Green County Humane Society left with only eight cats!

Four Footed Friends also joined Animal Friends and Green County Humane Society on Saturday, December 14th.  They brought along four dogs and found a forever home for one!  For increased exposure and a better chance of adoption, Four Footed Friends transferred ownership of three dogs to Animal Friends at the conclusion of the event.

Interactive enrichment displays dotted the halls at Animal Friends and the retail store offered special incentives for event attendees’ donations.  Rabbit handlers mingled in the lobby with bunnies in slings, and dog handlers brought various shelter residents to greet visitors.  We also had adoptable foster dogs come to the shelter for public interaction. 

Animal Friends had successful adoptions onsite as well as offsite at Day Subaru in Moon Township.  We were able to have our Mobile Resource Center at Day Subaru which helped us show-off several of our adoptable cats and rabbits.  Many volunteers greeted car shoppers with available dogs and Day Subaru encouraged customers to come with their animals for photos with Santa.  Because of this we had one cat adoption offsite and brought potential adopters to the shelter.  Visitors to both Animal Friends and Day Subaru were challenged to “Stuff-a-Subaru” with donated supplies for Animal Friends residents and the Animal Friends’ Chow Wagon program.  

Through the combined efforts of Animal Friends, Day Apollo Subaru, Greene County Humane Society, and Four Footed Friends, 21 animals found their forever homes through the Share the Love Adoption Extravaganza.  Photos with Santa generated $95 for Animal Friends and an additional $82 was raised through general donations.

We can’t wait to have more events like this in the future! What a great way to help homeless pets in our region. Thanks to everyone who attended, donated and volunteered! 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Animal Friends presents: Hellmuth: Special Working Cat for a Barn or Warehouse

EDIT: Hellmuth has found a home!  Thank you!

Hellmuth is a muscular, handsome cat who was rescued from life as a stray when he was a kitten. Now, he is a strapping young tomcat who has proven to be a friendly, loyal companion, but has never quite adapted to his current apartment life. 

He is a playful, adventurous spirit who would best succeed as a Working Cat. Click here for more information about working cats.   While he enjoys being petted, picked up and even cuddled, he is, first and foremost a bold and territorial soul. He would do well in a heated barn or warehouse, chasing off rodents. 

His owner loves him very much but knows that Hellmuth is very unhappy and unsuited for his current home in an apartment. He makes this known by spraying.

 Hellmuth is a healthy, neutered 7-year-old cat who, after he gets to know you, will greet you with enthusiasm and head butts. He does not want to live with dogs or cats.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Hello! My husband and I participated in the Baby Ready Pets class back in July, and I just wanted to say thanks again for all the great info. We definitely felt like we had a good plan for introducing our newborn to our dog, Winston, and our two cats. 

Willow is 2 weeks old now and all the pets are doing great with her. The cats actually don't seem to notice her most of the time. Winston, on the other hand, is definitely curious, especially when Willow has a meltdown. :) 

We are continuing to stick to the information we learned in class - particularly the rule of never leaving our daughter unattended around the animals. We have also made a point to keep her elevated, which seems to encourage a lot more respect from Winston. We challenged him today by placing her on the floor for some supervised "tummy time." Winston did great - he sat and watched but made no attempt to interact with her. So proud of him!

Again, thanks so much for all of the info! We will definitely recommend the class to others in the area! 

Regards,

Rachel & Alex

Monday, December 9, 2013

By the staff at Petagogy
‘Tis the season for decorations, parties and food galore! It is a festive time with lots to smile about, but as you prepare your home for your holiday festivities keep in mind some simple safety measures to help keep your four-legged family members safe.

Christmas Trees and Holiday Plants
Cats and dogs may be (very) interested in the tree, and why not—it’s a little bit of the outdoors inside on those cold winter days. If your furry family member is interested in the pine tree in the corner make sure it is secured. A hefty cat on a branch or an excited jump by a pooch could topple the tree on to more than just the neatly wrapped boxes underneath. Also keep holiday plants off the ground as many seasonal plants, including holly, mistletoe, poinsettia, lilies, as well as Christmas tree water, can be toxic if ingested by your pets.

Decorations
Be mindful of low hanging decorations. Jingle bells, tinsel, lights and ribbon might look like toys to your pets. A gentle swat with a paw could lead to chewing and swallowing, which could lead to an emergency trip to the vet.

Holiday Feasts
A highlight of the holiday season is the food. Serving sweets to your guests? Keep them up high out of your pooch’s reach. Chocolate and artificial sweetener (xylitol) are very bad for your pet. Although a few bites of plain turkey or vegetables are fine, the spices, sauces and butter used to make the turkey and sides delicious for your guests are not, so keep leftovers out of the dog bowl and encourage guests not to feed pets from their plate. No turkey or ham bones either—once the bones have been cooked they pose a serious hazard for your pets. Raw, uncooked bones are often safe, but when they are cooked they become hard and can crack, splinter or be come lodged in the throat. Still want to give your pet a holiday treat? Some high-quality food companies make special foods that you can give your pets around the holidays—try Merrick’s Venison Holiday Stew or Christmas Day Dinner for your pup. 

Holiday Guests
Family and friends may be coming to visit over the holidays or perhaps you are planning a holiday party. Guests may enjoy a holiday libation and can become lax about making sure doors and gates are closed, or may leave their adult beverage within your pet’s reach--both can be dangerous to your furry friends. In situations where your guests may not be pet savvy or they may not make the “best” decisions, it might be best to board your pet, or keep them separated in another room for the evening. Also make sure they are wearing current ID tags and are micro-chipped in case they escape during the flow of guests in and out of your house.

Gifts for Your Pet
People love to spoil other people’s pets and may want to buy something tasty for your furkids. Be cautious; not everyone reads FDA warnings and may be unaware that certain chicken jerky and other treats made in China have been making pets sick. If you don’t trust the brand or know where the ingredients are sourced from, be gracious but don’t risk giving it to your pet just to be polite to the gift-giver. I promise your pet won’t rat you out.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Animal Friends had a recent visit from Santa who stopped by for our annual pet photos.  During a break, Santa walked through the adoption floor and saw several wonderful dogs who have not yet found their forever homes.  

Mistletoe (Glenda)

Santa proclaimed, “How could this be?  None of us are perfect, human and animal alike. We all have our little quirks and challenges.  But everyone deserves to be loved, safe and cherished in a forever home for the holidays!”.  

Christmas and Jingle Bell (Gia Marie and Gulliver)

He talked to these long term residents, cuddled with them, cried with them and found them to be wonderful companions who want nothing more than to be home for the holidays.  With a wink of his eye and a cheery “HO HO HO”, he declared that these special dogs should be honorary Christmas Elves. He also decreed that their names should be worthy of the holiday celebration of priceless pets and so Santa suggested Christmas, Jingle Bell and Mistletoe.
Please look for these special “Elves” throughout the kennel and ask to visit with them, or any of their furry friends, to make their dreams come true. Could your home be their forever home?  We will be glad to introduce you to these wonderful, truly “priceless pets”!  

Priceless Pet Adoptions for all pets over the age of 1 continue until December 31st.  Come and meet Christmas, Jingle Bell and Mistletoe today. 

Thursday, December 5, 2013

We understand that this time of year can stretch a lot of pocketbooks.  Gifts, decorations and parties can quickly eat up what little extra is left over after bills, rent, and groceries.

Making sure your pet is vaccinated and microchipped is usually not the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the holidays but it can be this year. On Thursday, December 12th,  Rabies vaccines and microchip services will be 50% off. 

Microchips will be $10 and a Rabies vaccine is just $5.    In addition, anyone who has their pet spayed/neutered through Animal Friends' low-cost spay/neuter department during January and February 2014 will be reimbursed the cost of the vaccines received at the December 12th clinic!


What are you waiting for?  Call now to set up your appointment for Thursday, December 12th from 1p-3p.  Please call 412.847.7029 today.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

On what is traditionally known as the biggest shopping day of the year, Animal Friends invites you to do something that’s truly priceless. Don’t shop—adopt! at Animal Friends’ PRICELESS holiday adopt-a-thon beginning November 29.

If you’ve been considering pet adoption, Friday is the purrfect time to meet your soulmutt. From November 29 - December 31, Animal Friends will waive our donation request when you adopt a pet age 1 or older.

While Animal Friends typically requests $75 for dogs and cats and $60 for rabbits, we are waiving our adoption donation for all pets age 1 and up, through December 31. All pets are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and medically and behaviorally evaluated.

That Friday, you can join the retail frenzy, or you can save a life. Do something that’s truly priceless. Don’t shop—adopt! And make this a holiday season your family cherishes forever.

All adoption applications are thoroughly screened to ensure appropriate, loving and lifelong matches.

To learn more about Animal Friends or view adoptable pets, visit    www.facebook.com/Amicideglianimali.AnimalFriends 

Guest Blogger: Carolyn Amoroso


I met Cindy Lou when I volunteered at Animal Friends in Pittsburgh years ago. At first she was not eligible for adoption because she was being held for court. When I adopted her about a year later, Animal Friends estimated her age to be about 4 or 5 years old. I didn’t ask any details about her abuse because a big part of me was afraid to hear it. I knew this much: She had been used to fight. She had many, many battle scars, most in the front from her face down to her front paws. She had one on her shoulder that looked suspiciously like a cigar burn and a fracture in her foot that had never properly healed so it looked like a lump. Her foot was also deformed and facing to the side. The flaps of her ears had been torn off. It was obvious she had been bred too.

I was intimidated to take on a dog with such a past but we bonded right away. She was pure muscle when I got her but very afraid of everything and everyone. She enjoyed taking car rides but would begin to shake as soon as the car parked. I imagined the only place she probably went in a vehicle was to fight. If you told her “no” she would begin to shake very badly and I would then have to ensure her that it was ok and there was not further punishment. 

She was afraid to walk past houses. We lived on a street where there were some empty lots between our house and the next so she would happily walk the length of the empty land but would stop before reaching the house. One day I took her to a park and she was in heaven. She loved looking for trails to walk in the woods. Whenever we would approach another dog on a leash, Cindy Lou would become upset. She would stop in her tracks and want to go back the way we came to avoid the dog. I would make her stay in place and once the dog passed without incident; she would then begin to wag her tail and want to follow the dog as if she wanted to make friends. Once, a neighbor boy brought his Great Dane to our house while we were in the driveway washing cars. I put Cindy Lou in the car as a precaution and allowed the dog to approach the window. When he did, Cindy Lou began to show her teeth at the dog. I told Cindy Lou “no” and as usual she began to shake and I told her it was ok. She then sniffed the dog and became friends. I realized then that she didn’t “want” to be vicious; in the past it had been expected of her. 

I had Cindy Lou for the 5 remaining years of her life. She was a sweet, kind, gentle, loving dog that made me fall in love with the Pit Bull breed.  She was so smart. She seemed to have this magical affect on people, especially my ex-husband and myself. Cindy Lou was terrified of men but I knew that if she could warm up to any man, it would be my ex-husband. He tried to talk me out of getting her because he was afraid but she quickly won him over and the two fell in love with each other. Cindy Lou became very spoiled. Whenever I would look at Cindy Lou’s face and want to attack it with a hundred kisses, I just could not comprehend how someone else would look at that same face and do cruel things to her. To this day the thought brings me to tears.

It is 10 years since she is gone and I still miss her so much. I wanted to share Cindy Lou’s story because I know there are others like her. Michael Vick’s dogs were assessed by professionals and though some were deemed too vicious, some have gone on to become very valuable and loving members of families. Over time, Cindy Lou’s fur grew, covering most of the scars. Though her emotional scars remained more obvious, she became more relaxed and trusting of us with time. We knew she would never be like a normal dog but I found great satisfaction in the little strides that she would make. A rescue dog (even one with a scary past) can make a great pet. People used to say to me that Cindy Lou was lucky to have me and I used to say no, I’m lucky to have her. Cindy Lou brought great joy to our lives and I will always be grateful to her for it.

And I have Animal Friends to thank for bringing her into my life.

The winter months and holiday season have arrived! The holidays can provide wonderful opportunities to stay close to home and bask the companionship of our pets. But, as the holidays are also a time for eating, drinking, decorating, and being merry, they can also pose unforeseen health hazards that could be a concern for household animals. Before you deck your halls with boughs of holly, check out these helpful hints to keep your pets safe, happy and healthy this season.

This time of year, many people adorn their houses with holiday plants including Christmas trees, holly and mistletoe. While keeping a Christmas tree is a beautiful and time-honored tradition, be aware of the risks they can pose to your pets. If you put up a Christmas tree, make sure that it is well secured. If you have a cat who climbs or a large dog with a “happy tail,” anchor the top of the tree to the wall using a strong cord or rope. 

Ornaments, candy canes, light bulbs and tinsel can also be potentially dangerous to pets. Not only can ingested objects cause intestinal blockage and abrasions, but glass ornaments can shatter and cut soft paw pads. Be sure to hang fragile or edible ornaments safely out of a curious pet’s reach. If you have a ball-crazy dog, hang glass balls high on the tree, or take them off altogether. Cats are notorious for playing with and consuming tinsel and ribbon, which can bunch up in their intestines like an accordion. Worse yet, tinsel can slice an animal’s intestines, which requires surgery to correct. Dogs, cats, and bunnies have also been known to nibble on strings of lights or electrical cords, which can cause electrocution. 

Be careful not to let your pet drink the water from the Christmas tree stand, which may contain preservatives, or sugar or aspirin additives to keep the tree looking fresh. These can cause gastrointestinal upset in pets. Keep in mind that some dogs (especially males!), may be inclined to break the rules of housetraining on a freshly cut tree—why else would anyone bring a tree into the house?

Many pets will ignore the Christmas tree, but if yours do not, then be sure to make the tree off-limits when you’re not home to supervise. Put a small decorative fence around the tree, or keep the tree in a room with a door that can be closed to limit a pet’s access to the room.

Other decorative holiday plants may look intriguing to your pets, but they can be toxic.  Mistletoe has the potential to cause cardiovascular problems. Both poinsettias and holly, if ingested, can cause illness including vomiting and diarrhea. Again, the best cure is prevention: keep all dangerous plants out of your pets’ reach.

Burning candles should also be closely watched when pets are around. Do not leave burning candles on coffee tables and other surfaces that your dog, cat or rabbit may jump onto. With one exuberant tail wag or swat of a paw, the flames or hot wax could quickly cause disaster. Position candles securely and away from curious faces and feet.

While most pet owners know that chocolate contains theobromide, a chemical that is fatally poisonous to dogs, many other favorite holiday foods can also can give your four-legged family members a tummy ache. Uncooked yeast dough can rise in the stomach and cause severe pain. Pets who have eaten bread dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression. Since the breakdown product of rising dough is alcohol, it can also cause alcohol poisoning.

What if you don’t have a pet…yet? Through the years, movies, television and media have depicted happy children waking up on Christmas morning to find an adorable puppy or cuddly kitten wearing bow beneath the tree. In reality, many pets are abandoned after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Animal Friends does not recommend giving pets as gifts for the holidays. Remember that the first few weeks of life in a new household are a critical and sometimes scary time for your new pet. If your family’s holiday celebrations involve travel, houseguests or long hours away from home, the holiday season would be the wrong time to acclimate a new pet to your home routine. If your family is planning to adopt a pet, come to Animal Friends to purchase all the supplies you’ll need. Then after the holidays have wound to a close, your loved ones can return to carefully select the perfect pet for their lifestyle. This will provide the happy new pet owners time to invest in their new lifelong commitment.

We’ve all heard the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”  This is especially true when it comes to our pets. 

On behalf of all of us at Animal Friends, Happy Holidays to you and your pets!

Champ is a Chihuahua Mix. He is 7 years old, around 17lbs. and tan in color. He's a medium energy dog who loves to play, go for walks and be around other dogs. He is very sweet, gentle and loving. He is great around children and is housebroken. Champ is current on all vaccinations, he is neutered, and has recently had a dental cleaning. He is in great health. 

Last year Champ's owner died and he is looking for someone to give him the attention he deserves. 

Interested in Champ? Call John at 412-491-9362 or email him at JONNYVETTE@YAHOO.COM