Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

Dog (and CAT!) Days of Summer are Here (again)

This period of sweltering weather coincides with the year’s heliacal (meaning “at sunrise”) rising of Sirius, the Dog Star. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Majoris—the “Greater Dog”—which is where Sirius gets its canine nickname, as well as its official name, Alpha Canis Majoris. Sirius is the brightest star in the sky, not including our own Sun. ~ The Farmers Almanac

Our bright stars need help- donations of dog and cat food. We have enough left for most of August and that’s it.

It is endless, it feels endless. The need for donations goes up every month as more people sign up. We are doing our best to fundraise. Just this weekend, we took Gertie to be a guest of honor at a Safari themed kids’ birthday party. The parents pledged a donation and maybe that will continue to happen. We are seeking opportunities to organize pet food drives, but that doesn’t seize the imagination, I guess.

The Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry supports neighbors who care for community cat colonies, TNR trappers, and pet owners. Based in the Northside, the pantry offers pet food on a monthly basis to supplement their personal supplies. Northside residents and neighbors in nearby communities. Some caretakers pick up their monthly distributions, while nearly a dozen volunteers deliver to the remainder.

Sign up for Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry here: bit.ly/PghFolxPetFoodPantry

10 new households have registered over the summer. And thanks to new volunteer drivers, we will deliver to 23 caretakers starting in August. Plus, our 30+ existing caretakers who pick up their food.

The pantry distributes 1500+ pounds of pet food each month and supplies are low. We’ll barely get through August.

We need

• dry cat & dog food, preferably in 3 or 10 lb bags (or close)
• canned food
• dental treats
• paper plates and bowls, any size or design
• paper towels

Special need for urinary formula for cats – wet and dry.

Did you know that with special diets, one missed day or one ‘stretching’ of the can by adding other food undoes all of the health benefits? It makes sense to provide special diet food to reduce urgent or emergency veterinary trips.

Wish Lists: Chewy bit.ly/TheChewyList * Amazon bit.ly/TheRuffList

To donate:

• GoFundMe bit.lyGivePghCatFolx
• Venmo @PittsburghLGBTQ
• Paypal.me/PittsburghLGBTQ

Donations can be left at (look for the yellow cat sign & patio bins)

• 1440 Faulsey Way Pittsburgh 15233
• 1213 W North Avenue Pittsburgh 15233

The Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry is a project of Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities, a 501c3 org.

For more info, visit www.pghcatfolx.org or email folx@pghlgbtq.org