Sharpsburg named Animal Friends’ first Compassionate Community
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For its efforts in addressing the feral cat population and encouraging overall pet health, Sharpsburg was named Animal Friends’ first certified Compassionate Community.
The honor came during borough council’s meeting on Feb. 28.
“It’s an ongoing partnership, and I look forward to continued success,” Mayor Matt Rudzki said.
It was nearly a decade ago that Rudzki spearheaded programs to address cats in the borough.
He collaborated with Animal Friends to humanely address an influx of cats through stricter ordinances and programming that has included two trap-neuter-return initiatives.
Last year, in conjunction with Paws Across Pittsburgh, Animal Friends brought its Mobile Resource Center to the neighborhood to do low-cost spays/neuters.
They also administered vaccines and flea and ear mite treatments on residents’ cats.
Founded in 1943, Animal Friends operates a 75-acre campus on Camp Horne Road in Ohio Township.
The group provides about 15,000 spay/neuter surgeries each year and impacts pets’ lives through behavior classes, therapy and an animal food bank.
With the borough’s certification from Animal Friends, residents will benefit by visits from and access to mobile clinics, discounts on spay/neuter services and participation in a partnership between Animal Friends’ Chow Wagon and a neighborhood food pantry.
For more, visit thinkingoutsidethecage.org