Pet Connections

How do I enjoy animals in the cold PA winter?

By Ann Yeager Many of PA’s native animals are active, year-round residents. A list of active mammals can include squirrels (all 4 types), opossums, raccoons, fox, and deer. Bird sightings may reveal blue jays, Red-tailed Hawks, Owls, crows, and waterfowl. Not all animals migrate or hibernate. And some birds seen in Pittsburgh may be winter […]

Furry Friend Fun this Summer!

Furry Friend Fun this Summer! Whether or not your pet gets a staycation or vacation this summer, the Western PA Humane Society has several exciting upcoming events around the city for both you and your furbabies. Interested in volunteering, sponsoring or being a vendor at an upcoming event? Please contact Caitlynn Warren at cwarren@wpahumane.org.   Cat-a-Palooza […]

VCA Castle

For many of us, our pets are more than our best friends; they are a part of our family, and we want only the best for them. Pets are living longer lives, and here at VCA Castle Shannon Animal Hospital, we recognize the importance of preventive health care and age-related medical conditions. With that reasoning, […]

Kim Lenz – Behind the Lenz Photography

Spotlight is a recurring column that highlights Pittsburgh PetConnections artists and photographers that regularly give back to the animal welfare community. For more information on how to submit a person or business, please email info@pghpetconnections.com with “spotlight” in the header.  Kim Lenz – Behind the Lenz Photography Yes, that’s her real name. Kim Lenz has felt a special […]

Hershey

Hershey, my beautiful daughter (bird) passed away on June 19th, at the age of 16.   I will never forget her or that joy she brought me.  I welcomed Hershey (full name Bonnie Colleen Joyce Alex Cahill Hershey, first three names after some old friends of mine, Alex Cahill after Walker’s, same as my male cockatiel, […]

CARMAA

Friends working together to help animals. CARMAA – the Coalition to Adopt, Rehome and Match Abandoned Animals — is a non-profit corporation formed in 2009 with a simple idea. With varied backgrounds and experience in many shelters and rescues, the group wanted to help in a novel way, by offering a specific idea – an all encompassing, umbrella form of support. […]

Pets for Vets: Trainers Needed for Lifesaving Program

By Joanne Moore, Chief Programs Officer at Animal Friends “He gets me out of bed in the morning!”   “He has encouraged me to get active again and motivates me to remain connected to the world around me on my tough days.”  “She has made me laugh more in the past two weeks than I can […]

You, Your Pet, and the “Love Hormone”

Animal caregivers sure do love their four-legged companions. Most of us consider our pets to be members of the family. We play together, eat together, and live our lives together. It is comforting to come home after a rough day to a wagging tail or a gentle purr. Our pets somehow seem to know just […]

Five Ways to Sneak Healthy Eating into Your Life

by Kristen Lane, Certified Health Coach You’re a responsible and loving pet owner, making sure that your four-legged buddy gets the best of care, including high quality nutrition. But what about you?  If you’re like most Americans, you rely heavily on food that comes in a can, box, or bag. In other words, processed food. […]

The Many Manifestations of Lyme Disease

Written by Emily Klosterman, DVM, MS, DACVIM Pennsylvania and other states along the eastern seaboard are common places where dogs might contract Lyme disease.  Recognizing the signs of Lyme disease can lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment.  However, the disease can manifest in many different ways, thus making it difficult for even the most vigilant […]