Latest news with #HumaneAnimalRescue
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh issues call for help as shelter is over capacity
Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh issues call for help as shelter is over capacity Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh issues call for help as shelter is over capacity Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh issues call for help as shelter is over capacity The Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh is issuing an urgent call for help after a disturbing rise in animals being abandoned directly at the shelter's doorstep. The pets are sometimes tied up; other times, they are simply left behind as their owners drive away. Among the most heartbreaking recent cases is Petunia, a dog whose owner dropped her off in the rescue's parking lot and drove away. Surveillance video of the property showed the confused dog chasing after the car that left her behind, unaware she had been abandoned. "I don't have any words, honestly. This is one of the most loving dogs I've ever seen, and she's immediately on her belly, ready for love and attention," said Dan Cody, Executive Director of the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. Petunia is just one of five dogs abandoned at HARP in the last month. All were left without a name, medical history or even basic identification. "It's terrible to leave an animal tied to the door. They have no opportunity to respond to any stimuli that could come up to them. It's terrible to abandon an animal in a parking lot and allow them to walk after a car," said Cody. The shelter is currently housing 118 animals in a space built for 107, a number that continues to climb as more pets are left without care. "We are over capacity and need your help. There has been no time more urgent than right now," said Cody. HARP officials say they understand that life circumstances change and sometimes, pet owners are forced to make difficult decisions, but abandoning an animal without any background information only deepens the trauma for the pet and makes it harder for the shelter to help. "We get a lot less information about those animals, so we don't know what they are like behaviorally, we don't know their history or if they have an owner, who that owner might have been, and the situation was," said Cody. As the shelter deals with overcrowding, they're asking the public for assistance, whether through fostering, adopting or making a donation. HARP reminds the public that there are humane and responsible ways to surrender an animal, and they're committed to helping owners through that process. Resources for pet owners facing hardship The organization offers numerous resources for pet owners who are struggling and encourages anyone in crisis to reach out before resorting to abandonment. Those resources include the Pet Helpline, which offers free, compassionate guidance on behavior, housing issues, and veterinary care, among other services. Pet owners should call 412-345-0348 or email this address. Ellie's Pet Pantry offers free pet food and basic supplies to families experiencing financial hardship. Low-cost veterinary clinics are available to offer accessible care for any pet, regardless of where they were adopted. For owners who can no longer house their pets, owner surrender appointments ensure pets are safely and responsibly taken into shelter care. Call 412-345-0348 to schedule.
CBS News
25-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Cooling off your four-legged friends during a heat wave
As this historic heat wave continues in our region, you want to keep your loved ones safe, and that includes your furry friends. The temperatures over the past few days can really take a toll on your four-legged family members. It's common every year for veterinarians to see an uptick in animals coming in when the temperatures rise above normal. That means it's important to remember this old adage: if you're hot, they're hot, too. That means it may be best to leave them at home. It could be a matter of just minutes for double-coated animals, like dogs, such as French bulldogs or pugs, to become overheated due to their restricted airways. If you have to take them outside, make sure to do it early in the morning or later in the evening, as those are the safer times to avoid the most intense heat. When walking them, be sure to stay mostly on grass and off the roads or sidewalks. Hot pavement can burn their paws, and a good rule of thumb is if it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their feet. "You can put booties on your dog if you have to walk them, there are cooling bandanas, there are cooling toys, and spray bottles," said Dr. Amy Kalinauskas of the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh. "The first [signs] are over-excessive panting, increased respiratory effort, and sometimes even abdominal effort, where you notice they're belly breathing. Their gums can even turn brick red." If you notice any of those signs, it's important to act quickly, because for animals, it can cause organ damage or even death if they suffer heat stroke. It all can be easily avoided by paying close attention. Also, if you have to travel with them in your vehicle, experts warn to never leave your pet in a parked car. Even a few minutes can be deadly, as the temperatures can spike inside by 20 degrees or more in just 10 minutes. This means even with a cracked window, it can be dangerous. For our furry friends, we love them and they love us, but during high temperatures, it's best just to leave them at home with plenty of air conditioning.
CBS News
30-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Pittsburgh wildlife center pauses intakes for some animals amid busiest season
Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh's wildlife helpline has been ringing off the hook, with people finding young animals that are hurt or alone. Now, amid the beginning of the wildlife baby season, Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has been forced to pause intakes for some animals. "Some days we're getting in 50, 60 a day, and some days it's only about 20 to 30," said Katie Kefalos, director of wildlife rehabilitation. "Every year, we're seeing a slight increase," she added. Kefalos said they have baby critters that need round-the-clock feedings and months of preparation before they can go back to the wild. At this time, the center can't take in any more young raccoons or young groundhogs because it needs to focus on the more than three dozen in its care right now. The center is still taking adults, though. "We have a groundhog that is as young as needing to be in an incubator still and on hand-feeding every four hours. The other ones have started to graduate. They're self-feeding," she said. But why are so many little raccoons and groundhogs needing help? "Unfortunately, it's us humans. About 85% of the reason why these patients were brought in was because their parents were either tracked and relocated or, unfortunately, no longer with us," said Kefalos. The center encourages people not to relocate animals they want to get out of attics or off properties. Instead, try what the center calls humane harassment techniques to get mom to move on her own without using any traps. "She will take her young with her. It does take a few days. But raccoon moms and groundhog moms are a really stellar mothers," Kefalos said. If you have animals that have become a nuisance on your property and you want them to leave, she said you should call the wildlife center's helpline, and officials will guide you on what to do. She said if they're in an attic, for example, the steps could include lining the space with rags soaked with distilled white vinegar or playing loud music. Those adorable raccoons and groundhogs aren't the only species in the building. The center also has lots of opossums, squirrels, bunnies, birds of prey and songbirds. "Trying to make sure that we give the best care to all of them is a task every single day," Kefalos said. After the wild windstorm in April, HARP received almost 400 critters because of storm-related incidents and had to close its doors for about a week to take care of the massive influx. "Every time we have to close our doors, either fully or partially to certain species, it hurts. We don't want to do that," she said. If you find an animal in need of help, even if HARP is not accepting that species right now, just remember to call its wildlife helpline at 412-345-7300 x500.
CBS News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Pierogis, live entertainment, dogs, and safety
The weekend is here, and it is a jam-packed one in western Pennsylvania with plenty to do, so let's help you plan a fun one! Millvale Music Festival The ever-popular Millvale Music Festival is back, and more than 300 acts will be performing this year across 28 stages. It includes comedians, bands, and visual artists. The festival runs on Friday evening and Saturday. It's free to attend, and a schedule of events is available on the festival's website at this link. Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival For all of you pierogi lovers, this one is for you - after a two-year hiatus, the Pittsburgh Pierogi Festival is back! More than two dozen vendors will serve up more than 100 pierogi-inspired dishes. It goes from noon until 5 p.m. at Southside Works. Check out the details right here. HARP's Barks & Brews Celebration The Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh is holding its annual "Barks and Brews" celebration this weekend. On Saturday afternoon from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., there will be about a dozen breweries, food trucks, and live entertainment at HARP's East Side location on Hamilton Avenue. It costs $40 to attend, and you can get tickets, which HARP says are going fast, on their website. Sarver Health and Safety Fair Happening in Sarver on Saturday is a health and safety fair. It runs from noon until 4 p.m. at Lernerville Speedway. You'll be able to try some tasty food and interact with a number of cool and unique vehicles like a monster truck and a cement mixer. It's free to attend. Blairsville Food Truck Festival Finally, you can head to Indiana County for the Blairsville Food Truck Festival. It's happening on Saturday from noon until 8 p.m. on Market Street. There will be more than 30 food trucks, craft and business vendors, raffles, and activities for kids. Get the details on the Visit Indiana County Website at this link.
