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Our History
Sixty-six years ago, at the height of World War II, a small group of Pittsburgh citizens came together in an effort to find homes for soldiers’ pets when they left to serve in the war. After the war, still faced with the need for ongoing compassionate control of the pet overpopulation and placement problem, the group opened a shelter and incorporated. They took a name that clearly articulated their mission: to serve as friends to unwanted animals.
Over time, Animal Friends evolved to meet increased demand for our services. All the while, our reverence for the animal-human bond remained at the core of Animal Friends’ mission.
In 2001, Animal Friends set out to change the way an animal shelter can serve our community. Our organization embarked on a capital campaign to build a 30,000 square-foot companion animal resource center complete with creative kenneling for homeless pets, veterinary clinic, classroom, pet therapy suite, resource library and more. Thanks to community support, our vision became a reality, and on March 18, 2006, we opened the doors to the Caryl Gates Gluck Resource Center at Animal Friends.
Our Present and Future
Today, Animal Friends is uniquely prepared to serve as a leader in compassionate, pet-focused programming. From creative kenneling to for the comfort of our animals to innovative community outreach and education programs, Animal Friends is proud to embrace the community with open arms and creative, pet-centered solutions for a kinder future for our region.
To many, the successful transition of Animal Friends’ programs and services into a full-service community resource center was a dream realized. But, there is still much work to be done, and Animal Friends is proud to lead the way.
At Animal Friends, we know that shelter and adoption programs, while important, are a reactive solution to pet overpopulation and will never solve the overpopulation crisis. That's why Animal Friends has developed a comprehensive, community-wide spay/neuter initiative. By providing low or no-cost spay/neuter surgeries to low-income pet owners, feral cat colony caretakers, pit bull owners, and shelters without spay/neuter programs, Animal Friends’ goal is to spay or neuter 24,000 pets over three years. These are pets that would not otherwise have access to spay or neuter surgeries. Through these efforts, our goal is not just to relieve pet overpopulation and unnecessary euthanasia in southwestern Pennsylvania—but to end it.
Animal Friends is truly thinking outside the cage.
Read more about our recent achievements and our goals for 2009 by clicking here.
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Animal Friends' Mission Statement
To ensure the well being of companion animals, while ending overpopulation, abuse and unwarranted euthanasia.
Our Vision Statement
Animal Friends, a premier companion animal resource center, is committed to nurturing and promoting the animal-human bond and creating a community where our relationship with companion animals is guided by compassion.
It is our vision to:
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Reduce the number of unwanted animals through aggressive spay/neuter programs;
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Provide for the well-being of companion animals in need, while adhering to our no-kill tradition, and find each a lifelong, loving home;
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Promote the animal-human bond through education and outreach programs;
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And, act as an advocate on behalf of animals in crisis and as an enforcer of their rights and protection.
We are deeply committed to these goals while ensuring the financial security and stability of the organization for future generations.
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