Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

The ugly decision to target our vulnerable neighbors by halting SNAP benefits disgusts all of us. The Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry is responding two ways

• Throughout November, our pantry caretakers and households are donating human food to be sent to a local food pantry. It’s a gesture of solidarity and gratitude.

• The pantry is reaching out to pet owners impacted by this cruel policy. We’ve had eight households registered in 48 hours. That’s more than a 10% growth. So we are once asking you to help.

Pet food is not covered by SNAP. But the cutoff means families will need to use more of their available financial resources for food, prioritizing the humans. This creates terrible dilemmas about feeding their pets, even relinquishing them. That, in turn, puts more strain on shelters and rescues. And public funding.

Families experiencing financial stress should find comfort, joy, and love from their pets. Those members of their families are needed.

To celebrate Halloween, Marie and I took a pumpkin to Fort Faulsey where she carved it. We put it by the trail camera so we can watch wildlife eat it over the coming weeks. We’ll post video.

It was on Halloween in 2021  that we rediscovered Jennie Jane over two years after her TNR. Our relationship with her began in 2017. It was hard to release her, she deserved a home.

In 2023, we trapped her again because she needed dental care. Marie’s neighbor created space for her to recuperate from almost all of her teeth being pulled. She spent the winter 23/24 there, fell in love with the resident cat named Pretty Boy … and she has her happily ever after. A warm quiet home. Good food, clean water, treats. Windows. Comfy furniture. Toys. And her beloved Pretty Boy.

Jennie Jane is still not people friendly, but her life is immeasurably better because people have been friendly to her.

She is likely nine or 10 years old. Only two of those years have been safe and secure.

All of this work is done by volunteers. We need you to deliver cat food, pick up donations, table, help with mailings, create promotional material, etc.

You can register at bit.ly/PLCVolunteer

One item almost every caretaker requests? Plastic bags. We are finally ready to collect & distribute.

Please bring your clean and dry bags to our donation bin at 1440 Faulsey Way in Manchester 15233. This is my backyard so there’s no actual house number sign. Look for the yellow #PghCatFolx yard signs and the orange Land Rover aka Gertie. Just leave in the bin and drop us a note.

We can also use tote bags that are clean and in good condition.