Diary of an Adoptions Counselor

February 6, 2013

Capone and Gotti By Kaitlin Hilinski, Community Adoptions Counselor No two days are quite alike when you work with people and pets. Here are some gems from my career at Animal Friends: I came in to work the day after …

Posted in adopt, adoption, adoption counselor, by kaitlin hilinski, cat, dog, rabbit, shelter, staff

February is Adopt a Shelter Rabbit Month at Animal Friends

February 4, 2013

Animal Friends is home to lots of lonely hearts this February. And, since February is Adopt a Shelter Rabbit Month, we’re lining up lots of hopportunities for rabbit enthusiasts—or just the rabbit-curious—to get involved. First of all, if you’ve never …

Posted in adopt, Adopt a Shelter Rabbit Month, adoption, bun run, Bunnies, bunny, rabbit

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

February 4, 2013

Guest Blogger: Kelley Mallick, Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Program Assistant  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’”  Each year, Americans answer that question by coming together on the MLK Holiday …

Posted in community service, mlk day of service, na, service, students

What’s a Community Adoption Counselor?

February 1, 2013

By Kaitlin Hiliniski, Community Adoptions Counselor My job isn’t like other jobs.  Sure, some people work with the public; they have to smile, shake hands, and be “on” for hours at a time. Some people work with animals; they have …

Posted in adopt, adoption, by kaitlin hilinski, cat, dog, rabbits, staff

Happy Tails: Kasper went home with our own Jeff!

January 30, 2013

By Jeff Geissler, Communications AssistantIt happened yet again. This morning while heading to my office at Animal Friends I walked past the cat condos ready to say good morning to my early bright eyes. One of them was gone. But …

Posted in adopt, adoption, By Jeff Geissler, cat, Happy Tails, staff

The Bunny Connection: Reflections of a Mom

January 28, 2013

Beth Miller and Animal Friends bunny resident Farfell Guest Blogger: Jane Miller     It was during the Chinese Year of the Rabbit in 2011 when our daughter had a creative idea for a Girl Scout leadership project. She wanted to write …

Posted in Adopt a Shelter Rabbit Month, Bunnies, by jane miller, rabbits

How to Report Animal Cruelty Cases in Allegheny County and Beyond

January 25, 2013

With the recent drop in temperatures, Animal Friends’ Humane Investigators have been receiving lots of calls about animals being left outdoors in the inclement weather.  With temperatures as cold as we have had recently, it is important that animal companions …

Posted in animal cruelty, how to report cruelty, humane investigations, humane officer, reporting, weather

My Transformation: Misty Blue

January 23, 2013

Guest Blogger: Misty Blue (with help from Lilian Akin and Becky DiLucia) Hi! My name is Misty Blue.  I am a 4 year old Sharpei mix who was brought to Animal Friends thanks to their Humane Officers.  In the heat …

Posted in adopt, adoption, humane investigations, misty blue

Cat Owners should “Beat the Heat” Before Spring with Animal Friends’ Spay Promotion

January 23, 2013

Pittsburgh, PA – January 22, 2013 –  Warmer weather may still be months away, but Animal Friends wants you to  “beat the heat” by spaying your cat in advance of her heat cycle and preventing unwanted litters from being born …

Posted in low-cost, neuter, petsmart, spay, spay and neuter

Happy Tails: Macadamia

January 18, 2013

Guest Blogger: Terry Kuehner  On December 15, 2012 an incredible tragedy occurred in Newtown, Connecticut.   The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School took twenty-six lives that morning, including 20 children.  We all vividly remember that day. Everyone I know was …

Posted in adopt, adoption, By Terry Kuehner, cat, guest bloggers, Happy Tails

Run For a Reason with Team Animal Friends and the Pittsburgh Marathon

January 9, 2013

Join Team Animal Friends in its first year as a participating charity with the Pittsburgh Marathon!  On May 4 & 5, 2013 , lace up your shoes to run the City of Bridges and help raise funds to ensure the …

Posted in fundraiser, fundraising, marathon, pittsburgh marathon, run, run for a reason

Companies That Offer a “Matching Gift” Program

January 7, 2013

Make your gift count…twice!  Here are just some companies that have a matching gift program available to employees. Aetna AIG Ally AMB Group, Inc. American Eagle Outfitters American Express Babson Capital Management Bank of America BP Brink’s Incorporated Broadridge Buhl …

Posted in donate, donation, matching gift

Angel’s Law: House Bill 2663 Makes Animal Cruelty Charges More Severe

January 4, 2013

Pennsylvania state Rep. Dom Costa is sponsoring a new bill that would carry heavy consequences for people who commit animal cruelty. Currently, animal cruelty offenses are low-level offenses, similar to a traffic ticket. Angel’s Law, House Bill 2663, would make …

Posted in angel's law, animal advocacy, animal cruelty, animal welfare, law, laws

Resolve to Get More Exercise in the New Year…for Both You and Your Dog!

January 2, 2013

By the Staff at Petagogy Is one of your new year’s resolutions to exercise more? One of the easiest ways to clock some more cardio time is to increase walks with your pooch. Not only will your body benefit, but …

Posted in exercise, new year, petagogy, safety, winter

Updated Low-Cost Vaccine and Microchip Clinic Dates!

December 28, 2012

Keep your pet healthy and safe! Animal Friends will host 2 more clinics to offer low-cost vaccine, microchip and flea treatments for dogs and cats. The following clinics will be held at Animal Friends at 562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh …

Posted in clinic, lcsn, low-cost, microchip, rabies, vaccine

Animal Friends’ 16th annual New Years Eve Rescue

December 28, 2012

Eeyore came to Animal Friends during the 2011 New Years Eve Rescue For the past 16 years, Animal Friends’ annual New Years Eve Rescue has been a Pittsburgh tradition—and a last-chance lifeline for pets. On Monday, December 31, Animal Friends …

Posted in candy, New Years Eve, rescue

Wherefor Art Thou, Juliet?:A Community Rallies for a Dog’s Rescue

December 21, 2012

Guest Blogger: Holly Gumbeski This is a story of young maiden named Juliet, who was banished to roam a cemetery high above the South Side Slopes. This strikingly beautiful black and white Husky was named Juliet not by a loving …

Posted in adoption, by holly gumbeski, dog, Happy Tails, juliet

Gigi – A masterful mix of a breed

December 17, 2012

Most of the dogs that come through our doors here at Animal Friends are of a mixed breed.  We have Husky mixes and Pit mixes. Boxer, Beagle and Hound mixes. We take a close guess at what heritage our dogs …

Posted in adopt, adoption, dog, gigi

Adventures of a Foster Fur Mom: Part 3

December 17, 2012

Guest Blogger: Susan GottfriedThe e-mail went out a few weeks ago from Chris Whyle, the foster coordinator here at Animal Friends. A bunch of kitties could use a cage break. I eyed Zenji. He’d been here over two months and …

Posted in by susan gottfried, cats, foster, foster care, geronimo, zenji

Jingle Bun Run at Animal Friends

December 10, 2012

Animal Friends’ bunnies are used to having free-roam play times called “bun runs” frequently but they’ve never seen a bun run like this!  On Saturday, December 15, Animal Friends’ bunnies are welcoming the public to their holiday Jingle Bun Run …

Posted in bun run, Bunnies, holiday, jingle bun run, rabbits