Open Doors ~ Open Hearts
The Western PA Humane Society is Greater Pittsburgh’s center for pet ownership. Preventing cruelty to animals is at the root of our charter, but beyond that, we provide services every day for pet owners throughout their pet’s lifecycle.
Life at an urban open-door animal shelter can be complicated because our animals do not have a voice to advocate for their care. Instead, it is the dedicated staff, volunteers, board members, and supporters who provide for the needs of every animal that walks through our doors.
With open arms we welcome animals who have no other place to call home. They may have had a harsh life and, as such, were rescued through our Investigations Department, or they may have an owner who becomes ill and can no longer care for their beloved pet. There are countless reasons in which animals find themselves searching for a new forever home. We also welcome many animals who come to us from our network of other rescues and shelters because we are their best chance at finding their forever home. Throughout the year we work with our partner organizations including Pittsburgh Aviation Animal Rescue Team, the Humane Society of the United States, and the ASPCA to save more lives as a team.
It is with open hearts that we serve through our medical and behavioral evaluations to learn more about each pet’s physical needs and personality. Matching pets to the perfect forever home is key to successful adoptions. To ensure the best matches, our adoption counselors focus on getting to know our animals and their potential adopters. Our volunteers and staff spend time with the animals and note each pet’s likes and dislikes. That information is used as part of our enrichment program aimed at keeping shelter animals engaged, active, comfortable, and healthy during their stay.
Once adopted, our clinic offers wellness services to keep owners and pets happy and healthy. We offer vaccinations, routine testing, nail clipping, and more. Throughout the year our clinic offers satellite and in-house low-cost vaccine clinics, Trap-Neuter-Release services, microchipping and low cost spay and neuter surgeries.
Training classes at the Western PA Humane Society allow dogs and their owners to bond, learn what to expect from each other, and to ensure a dog is well behaved in the home and when out on a leash with their family.
Events allow the community to come together and help one another through outreach and education, fundraising opportunities, and above all, a love for animals and the desire to create a better world for those in need of our help.
Our open doors extend to accept all animals in need. Our doors are open to the greater community as well. Through programs like Ellie’s Pet Pantry, which provides food for owners unable to feed their pets, we are able to keep more animals in their homes.
Our Veteran Appreciation program is robust and supports a veteran throughout their pet’s life. Donors and sponsors enable us to feed and care for the animals in our care. Pet store partners like Petco and PetSmart provide additional outlets that bring our adoptable animals to neighborhoods outside of our North Side shelter. Their care of our animals each day as well as their support through adoption events provides needed donations and the ability to reach a larger group of adopters.
The community’s involvement extends into areas like advocacy. Our advocacy efforts center on sharing our voice, as well as the collective voices of like-minded animal welfare supporters to create a safer world for animals and to increase penalties for those who abuse animals.
Join us in becoming a part of our Center for Pet Ownership. It is easy to get involved. Adopt, volunteer, donate, advocate! Learn more about how you can get involved on our website at www.wpahumane.org and join us on Facebook and Twitter.
Donating to the Western PA Humane Society is easy at www.wpahumane.org/donate, by calling 412-321-4625 ext 315, or when giving through United Way, use code 621 and our Combined Federal Campaign code is 27575.
