Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

What is #PghCatFolx and the Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities (PLC)?

Pittsburgh LGBTQ Charities is a Manchester based 501c3 non profit. Our mission is to raise community awareness and promote grassroots engagement for neighborhood quality of life, animal welfare, anti-poverty and LGBTQ+ issues in Western Pennsylvania. We were founded in 2021. 

#PghCatFolx is our term for the people who help animals – fosters, rescues, feeders, trappers, rehabbers, etc. The focus of most of our projects is to help the people who help the animals. We’ve found that storage space is a significant need as is quick access to specialized tools like drop traps, trail cameras, microchip scanner. Many neighbors (“feeders”) taking care of homeless animals don’t have access to pet food pantries or spay/neuter programs. Sometimes they have needs themselves. We do our best to connect them with resources. 

What is a Community Cat Garden?

Inspired by the Page St Garden, we envision a healthy cat colony to sustain and nurture the cats’ lives, including spay/neuter while being a valuable contributor to the neighborhood and community. A cat garden can have butterfly bushes, pollinators, native plants and grasses, all of which literally give back to the neighborhood. Healthy well-fed cats with a sense of security and even playfulness tamp down their hunting, fighting, and mating instincts. 

The Cat Garden includes our projects –  the Dr. John P. Ruffing VMD Pet Food Pantry; the Free Pet Stuff Store 15233; the Cat Folx Tool Lending Library; and more. 

• Pet Food Pantry – collects and distributes pet food on a year round basis, based on availability. 
• Free Pet Stuff Store 15233 – taps into the sharing economy to collect and distribute excess items on a year round basis as needs are identified. 
• Lending Library – storing the big tools that are only used once in a while but can be critical. It can also store off-season items like styrofoam used typically in the fall to build winter shelters. 

What does this have to do with a garage sale?

We’ve received donations and needed an efficient way to distribute items to feeders and rescuers. It was simple and dignified for them to come to us  and choose items. The yard sale seemed like a logical way to distribute the other items we’ve received – knick knacks, books, the usual items. Rescues and feeders will not be charged. Funds from the (back) Yard Sale support other projects. 

How do I contact you?

Email: folx@pghlgbtq.org; Phone/Text: 412-694-8535 Website: www,pghlgbtq.org 

Facebook/Twitter/instagram/TikTok:  pittsburghlgbtq@gmail.com

What items do you need in general?

Pet Food Pantry – wet and dry foods for cats, dogs, small animals. If you have an open bag, please contact us to discuss

Free Pet Stuff Store – animal supplies (leashes, collars, harnesses, brushes, nail trimmers, carriers, crates, pet beds,etc) human supplies for pets (towels, blankets, sheets) 

Cat Folx Lending Library – traps,crates, bite gloves, trail cameras, batteries, microchip scanners, carriers. 

Donations can be dropped at one of two locations

1213 W. North Avenue Manchester 15233 (some steps)

1440 Faulsey Way Manchester 15233 (no steps, backyard address)

Look for the bins

How can I donate financially?

GoFundMe bit.ly/GivePghCatFolx

Venmo @PittsburghLGBTQ

Paypal Charities bit.ly/PLCPayPal

Facebook @PittsburghLGBTQ click on donations