Local Animal Shelters Participate in 'World Spay Day'

Low-cost spay and neuter surgeries are available at several Western Pennsylvania clinics.

Tuesday, Feb. 26 marks the official World Spay Day 2013 campaign. Several local clinics are offering low-cost spay and neuter surgeries, veterinary services, fundraisers and educational efforts as part of World Spay Day and as part of Spay/Neuter Awareness Month. In Allegheny County alone, estimates show that 20,000 homeless animals are euthanized every year, according to Animal Friends. In some states as many as 300,000 homeless animals are euthanized in shelters every year.  To find a low cost spay/neuter event near you, try the Spay/Neuter Locator above or click here to see a complete list of events in the region. Local Spay and Neuter programs: Spay What? Animal Friends is also hosting a Spay-Ghetti Dinner from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday…

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Western PA's Three Animal Shelters Unite to Promote Older Dog Adoptions

Animal Friends, the Animal Rescue League and the Western PA Humane Society are all at capacity with dogs as a result of the recent state shut down of the Triangle Pet Control Services. They are running an adoption special for older dogs.

Pittsburgh’s three major animal shelters are uniting to save pets caught in the middle of a licensing suspension at a McKees Rocks animal control facility, according to a news release. Animal Friends, the Animal Rescue League and the Western PA Humane Society are all at capacity with dogs as a result of the recent state shut down of the Triangle Pet Control Services. The shelters are asking for immediate help from the public. All three are running an adoption special called "$30@3," meaning any dog over the age of 2 years is available for just a $30 donation--at all three shelters.  All adoptions will be thoroughly screened to ensure the right matches, according to a news release. Thirty-four dogs have been surrendered to the Humane …

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Patch Pet of the Week

Patch Pet: Joan Would Make a Great Jogging Partner

If you are looking for a companion to put some energy in your life, this Pit Bull mix is the dog for you.

Joan is a sweet dog who loves to play! If you are looking for a new jogging partner or a companion to put some energy in your life, Joan is the dog for you. Joan is high energy and dreams of finding an active family to keep her moving and happy. A fenced-in yard would help Joan run off some of her excess energy. Joan loves to play. We would recommend that she goes to a home with older children that can handle her when she’s in full play mode. She was never taught how to act when she’s on a leash, but has made so much progress since she’s been here at Animal Friends! We’d like for her future family to continue to work with her. Joan doesn’t care much for cats so she’d do best in a home that has only other dogs. Click here to watch a video …

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Patch Pet of the Week

Patch Pet of the Week: Meet Flame

This former stray with a big personality is looking for a family to call his own. Do you have room for Flame in your life?

Meet our resident rocker, Flame! This gorgeous boy is overflowing with cat-itude! Flame was a stray cat for nine long months. We’re told he was known to “trust anyone” – jumping in to an open car door, sauntering in to unfamiliar houses, and even following a family while they walked their dog. Talk about purr-sonality! Flame knows how special he is, and he demands that you know it too. He’ll tell you when he’s done being social, and because he can be forceful with his opinions, we don’t recommend him for a home with small children who might not understand his need for personal space. We also think that Flame would be happiest as an only-cat and he agrees with our estimation. This fancy fellow will be sure to be a show stopper! Your home …

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Patch Pet of the Week

Peaches and Thumper Are a Sweet Pair

They came to Animal Friends together after their owner could no longer care for them.

Peaches and Thumper are a sweet, wonderful pair looking for their forever home. They came to Animal Friends together after their owner could no longer care for them. Peaches and Thumper are bonded. This means they are very close and need to go to a home together. But don't think that means they are exactly alike!  Peaches, the sweet, adventurous bunny of the two, enjoys digging in his litter box and tossing his toys around. Peaches is an enthusatic chewer and even nibbled on his previous owner’s jeans when he was little. Make sure to give him lots of toys to play with and chew so your pants stay safe! Peaches lived with both dogs and cats in his previous home and got along with the cats perfectly. He even took naps with them! The dogs, …

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Patch Pet of the Week

Patch Pet: Sun Sun is an Active Anatolian Shepherd Mix

He would make a great walking or jogging partner for an active, on-the-go family.

Sun Sun is a high energy kind of guy. He likes to walk, run, jump, play, chase and just be active! He would make a great walking or jogging partner for an active, on-the-go family. He's a 3-year-old neutered male, tan and black Anatolian Shepherd mix. He is a social guy and likes to be around people. He loves to chase and play with balls. They are his favorite toy! We feel Sun Sun would do best in a dog-experienced, adult only home because young children might not be able to handle his “paws-on” play style. He also does not like to be hugged tightly or handled excessively. Sun Sun would like to be the only animal in the house, so that you can spend your time playing with just him. Round up your extra tennis balls and come visit Sun Sun. He…

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Patch Pet of the Week

Patch Pets: Primo is Worth the Attention He Needs

Primo basks in the gentle, encouraging touch of volunteers, which is a far cry from life in the basement he was rescued from.

You sometimes hear about homes that are considered “fixer-uppers.” They make wonderful, meaningful projects for new owners to pour their love and personalities into. Well, Primo is a fixer-upper--one with a sweet grin and cute little ears. He's more than worth the attention he needs. Primo has come a long way since he was rescued and bought to Animal Friends. Finally, he basks in the gentle, encouraging touch of our volunteers…which is a far cry from life in the basement he was rescued from. Right now this frightened dog is motivated by food. He loves his Kibble. With some coaxing and training, you’ll be rewarded for giving this little guy a new life. He deserves it after all he’s been through. We’d like to see him move into to a quiet, …

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Patch Pet of the Week

Patch Pets: Snoops is a Charming Chow Mix

Snoops would thrive in an adult-only home where he can be the king of the castle

Are you looking for a low-maintenance, independent canine companion? If so, meet Snoops, a charming 10-year-old Chow mix awaiting his forever home here at Animal Friends. Snoops was adopted from Animal Friends as a small pup, but made his way back here when his family moved and could not take him with them.  Like most Chows, Snoops is an intelligent and independent dog, and is highly curious of his surroundings. He is quite smart and has already mastered several basic dog skills, such as “sit,” “paw,” and housetraining. Snoops walks beautifully on leash and never pulls or jumps while enjoying his strolls outside. He also enjoys a good romp outside, especially if a tennis ball is involved! Typical of his Chow background, Snoops isn’t fond …

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Patch Pet of the Week

Patch Pets: You’ll Have a Best Friend with Sourdough

When he's in 'lap cat mode,' Sourdough simply turns into sweet bread.

We use the terms “affectionate” and “playful” a lot when describing our pets. But take those two words and multiply them by 10 and you’ll get an idea about our pal Sourdough. This cat is beyond friendly. He’ll rub up against your ankles when you enter a room to greet you and when you reach towards him, he’ll lunge forward to headbutt and rub your hand. When he's in "lap cat mode," Sourdough simply turns into sweet bread (hence his name!). You’ll have a best friend with this chipper and slightly stout cat. So, if you’re looking for the fun-loving and warmhearted spirit of a dog, but only have room for a cat, Sourdough is the cat for you. Click here to watch his video! Then come meet him at Animal Friends! Sourdough has been neutered, …

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Patch Pet of the Week

Patch Pets: Farfell the Bunny is Exceptionally Sweet

This great bunny would benefit from finding a home to settle in and be herself.

There are not enough positive adjectives in the English dictionary to explain Farfell and all of her loveliness, but we’ll try anyway! Farfell is exceptionally sweet, affectionate and gentle. She sports her beautiful white coat with subtle black spots on her ears and head so well that we think you will be smitten with her at first sight. She is playful and friendly and likes to be held. Farfell is an altogether great bunny who would benefit from finding a home where she can settle right in and be herself. Click here to watch her video! Then come meet her at Animal Friends! Farfell has been spayed and microchipped. If you can help, visit Animal Friends at 562 Camp Horne Road, (Ohio Township) Pittsburgh, PA 15237 or call 412-847-7002.  You …

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