Pet Connections

New Orleans is not like any other typical American city

New Orleans is not like any other typical American city.  It’s hot, humid, sweaty,  laid back, easy and exotic.  This is New Orleans, queen city of the South.  This rich eclectic culture is what drew me to New Orleans and is why it will forever hold a special place in my heart and always be […]

The Lost and Found Conure Parrot Story

This story began with a phone call from my ex-husband, Joe, requesting bird seed from me.  I was very puzzled by this request since I knew he did not have a pet bird and that you do not give parakeet food to wild birds.  When I questioned him, he told me he would be right […]

First Match for Pets for Vets Pittsburgh

By Kellie Roberts, Director of Placement Services With an enormous smile on his face, Retired Army Sergeant Donald Borland greeted Louie, a 2-year-old Jack Russell Terrier for the first time. Louie returned the sentiment with a wag of his tail, not knowing how much this moment meant to Don. It all started seven months before […]

Home for the Holidays

By Cody Hoellerman, Animal Friends Home for the holidays. It brings to mind such wonderful memories of being surrounded by family and friends. And, for animal lovers, what truly makes a house a home is the companionship of a beloved pet (or two!).  At Animal Friends, our wish for each of the animals in our […]

Surrendering your pet

Over the past few months we’ve received numerous emails and phone calls from people who need to surrender their pet. The reasons range from “too many animals” to heartbreaking tragedies, but the end result is the same: as an Open Door Shelter, the Animal Rescue League turns no animals away. A few years ago, we […]

Of Starfish and Kittens

Spring is the time for newborns. Even with short or mild winters, the lengthening days reach a point in February that send a signal to get ready for birth or to get about reproducing so youngsters can mature during the most plentiful and temperate time of year. Now, in spring, the first wave of kittens […]

Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh Keeping Pets and Families Together

Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (HARP) finds new homes for thousands of homeless animals every year. Studies have proven that pets provide stress relief and purpose to their owner’s lives (as well as countless other health benefits) – comforts that are important when other aspects of an individual’s life may be uprooted.  Pets are an […]

Operation Petsburgh

Operation Petsburgh is one of Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (HARP)’s most critical and innovative programs. By transporting at-risk animals from areas where resources and medical care are limited to HARP’s East Side and North Side shelters, these dogs and cats are given a second chance at life. The animals then fulfill a great need […]

Old Dogs and Bucket Lists

When Annie, a 19-year-old black Labrador retriever mix was brought to the shelter, she wasn’t in the best shape. She had trouble walking and not much of an appetite, common signs of stress for senior animals in a new and often scary environment for them. The medical assessment at the time said she likely had […]