This project has operated for over a year without much incident. The few mishaps we had with pet distributions were miscommunication. People were helpful to each other, careful when they had to move bags around, quick to alert us of issues like a bag breaking open.
Sadly in the past six weeks, we’ve had at least three incidents of theft. After the most recent on Thursday January 15, we decided to temporarily close the pantry.
Stolen items include pet food, non-food items like heated water dishes and heated outdoor mats, chemical hand warmers, and items donated for a winter shelter community project.
The pantry distributes food each month to nearly 100 local caretakers.
This is disappointing, a very difficult time of year to interfere in our operations. We face single digit temperatures.
All of these items were donated to help homeless cats and low income pet owners. Heated outdoor items like water dishes and shelters are valued like gold.
The pantry is a project of Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities, a 501c3 nonprofit serving the region since 2021. It was established to address a gap in supports for cat colony caretakers.
When programs like SNAP and the subsidies for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act created financial distress for local families, the pantry opened enrollment County-wide.
It is staffed by volunteers who manage donations, pack distributions, and deliver the items in some cases.
Cameras at the distribution location provided no useful information. Few people pass by the location except for neighbors walking dogs, all of whom support the pantry.
The pantry has been distributing winter shelters for cats at no charge. We’ve distributed 15 so far and have a wait list for 37 more shelters. A community workshop to make the additional shelters is scheduled for Saturday, January 17 from 10-2 at Allegheny City Brewing.
Temperatures will dip into single digits this week. We are working hard to finish the shelters and now have to solve the situation with distributing food, both are critical to survival.
The pantry is exploring different options, but has limited infrastructure resources.
Telling our caretakers we are temporarily closed was heartbreaking. Many absolutely depend on us to feed their animals. We support retirees, disabled folx, single parents, veterans, and many hardworking neighbors whose paychecks simply don’t stretch far enough in a good month.
Pantry organizers will be focused on the shelters this weekend, then regroup to explore new ways to distribute pet food and supplies.
We are already worried about meeting the demand for shelter. We invested over $750 in supplies because we know too many people cannot afford to buy them. We need as many volunteers as possible to help wrap up that project so we can focus on the food distribution.
Not only did they hurt the caretakers, but over 900 animals each month who are fed by our distributions. We can’t explain this situation to the animals.
Community members are welcome to the workshop. The pantry’s vehicle, an bright orange Land Rover Defender lent to the project by F. Dok Harris, will be on hand for donations. The vehicle has been dubbed Saint Gertrude aka ‘Gertie’ after the patron saint of cats.
Ways to Help
- Volunteer to make shelters Saturday from 10-2 at Allegheny City Brewing on Northside
- Volunteer to make shelters at home in the coming week. Easy to assemble.
- Stop by workshop with a donation of pet food or supplies
- Volunteer with pet food pantry to deliver donations at least through the winter months, 1x/month
- Donate space as a collection site
- Organize a pet food drive
- Donate a bale of straw
- Donate Styrofoam coolers (square or rectangular) 30-45 gallons
- Donate items from our wish list
- Donate trail cameras
To donate to the Dr. John P Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry, please use these tools
- GoFundMe bit.ly/GivePghCatFolx
- Venmo @PittsburghLGBTQ
- Paypal.me/PittsburghLGBTQ
- CashApp $PittsburghLGBTQ
- Zelle folx@pghlgbtq.org
Wishlists are
- Chewy bit.ly/TheChewyList
- Amazon bit.ly/TheRuffList
Gently used items are welcome. Please contact the pantry to schedule a time to drop off.
Other needs include donation drop-off spots,volunteer drivers, and trail cameras.
Volunteer: bit.ly/PLCVolunteer
