Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

This is a disappointing update to share – some unknown person has stolen several items from the Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry. Heated outdoor items critical for feral and homeless cats. We’ve had items donated that were assigned to our participants and caretakers. They were labeled and then they disappeared.

No food was taken.

We are a very small nonprofit with limited resources. 2025 was successful in so many ways – we added 50 new households and participants, totaling nearly 100 total. We distributed 9,600 pounds of food along with dozens of other items – leashes, carriers, beds, heated outdoor items, so much generosity.

Realizing that someone took these items is devastating. The caretakers were counting on them to help their colonies get through the winter.

It tis important to consider that a heated water bowl in a colony isn’t just supporting one cat – it could be dozens of cats visiting for hydration along with other occasional critters. Same with a heating pad put into a shelter, often serving cats who cuddle together.

Stealing their items shows an utter disregard for the cats and their hardworking caretakers, suggesting they are of little value and their needs are of no consequence. It is a smack in the face to the pet food pantry as a whole.

If someone had taken pet food, that would make sense – we want to feed animals in need and would have responded with support.

When I saw the feeding dishes were stolen, I cried. I had put many of own former pets bowls in that pile, still sad about the loss of my beloved critters, but glad other animals would benefit. So I feel the violation very deeply from multiple angles.

Today, we put out the final distribution for 2025 – we serve 21 participants this week. They all have their food delivered by volunteers – Renee, Terri, and Todd. Last week, J delivered food to Northside residents.

Every month, we serve over 900 animals. As we head into 2026, we expect our participants to grow as the ACA healthcare subsidies disappear and the economy feels the weight of tariffs and funding cuts. It is quite daunting to consider, but we will do our best.

We’ve made some changes to our distribution system that wil require more time and energy from everyone. We’ve already planned a winter shelter community activity on Saturday, January 17 in partnership with Allegheny City Brewing on the Northside. Our list of requests for these simple, sturdy shelters is over 25 households and many could use multiples.

If you are in a position to help replace the stolen items, we’d be very grateful.

You can drop gently used items at 1440 Faulsey Way Pgh PA 15233 – it is thee GPS address for a backyard so you’ll see no house, but you will see our large Land Rover Defender, Gertie in all her emergency orange glory. Items can be placed in the bin and then please message us so we can collect them.

Our wishlists are (we added lots of options)

• Amazon bit.ly/TheRuffList
• Chewy bit.ly/TheChewyList

Our donation links are:

• GoFundMe Bit.ly/GivePghCatFolx
• Venmo @PittsburghLGBTQ
• Paypal.me/PitttsburghLGBTQ
• Cash App $PittsburghLGBTQ
• Zelle folx@pghlgbtq.org

Another option is to sponsor our Jan 17 workshop so we can meet the actual demand for shelters. $100 will cover five shelters.

Finally, we will need Styrofoam coolers in new or excellent condition. No individual pieces please. We’ve had offers from local labs and university departments, but could not arrange transportation. Shelters area good alternative to the missing heated mats because they require no electricity.

I hope the person or persons who did this really needed the items or the money they were sold for. We’ll recover, but this was a sad turn of events to end this year.

Still, onward…