Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

50 households caring for 650 cats.

That’s how many folx are enrolled in The John P. Ruffing VMD Memorial Pet Food Pantry. And we do not have enough food to distribute for November.

Obviously we don’t try to feed all 650 cats, but we do try to give something to each household. They are colony caretakers, feeders, TNR projects, low-income pet owners. Many are not eligible for traditional pet food pantries. So we try to help.

We are all volunteers, often paying for supplies out of our pockets. Right now, we are handling a $1200+ veterinary bill for a cat who found us. She’s getting healthier every day. But it destroyed our resources. Do we help her or do we buy food for the November distribution?

Now we need your help.

You know we love cats around here (and dogs, too.)

Fort Faulsey has five resident cats and a handful of occasional visitors. A year ago, Fort Faulsey had 9 cats. One had to put to sleep because he was dying. One has adapted to inside life. The other two, EJ DiMera and Johnny DiMera, just disappeared. That’s probably not good. But the other five still need us. And we know others will join us. I feed them once a day, dry food and three cans of wet between them.

That’s about six pounds of dry every day. One small bag, only I buy big bags of inexpensive food that’s not great for them because it is what I can afford. Three cans of wet food until the weather gets too bitter is 21 cans a week, about 90 cans a month. That’s three or four cases of inexpensive canned food. I also mix cat nip in with dry cat food to use as treats. Most likely in January through March, I won’t be able to put out canned food. So I’ll put out more dry food.

You can donate any of the following. If we know you or have mutuals, we can accept partially used bags for our own colony. Desperate times.

Where to Donate

• Two permanent drop-off spots at
  • 1213 W. North Avenue Pittsburgh 15233 (steps)
  • 1440 Faulsey Way Pittsburgh 15233 (backyard address)
• Amazon Wishlist bit.ly/TheRuffList
• Financial donations
  • GoFundMe bit.ly/GivePghCatFolx
  • Venmo pittsburghlgbtq@gmail.com 
  • PayPalCharities bit.ly/PayPalPLC

What to Donate

Small, medium and large bags of all brands and flavors. Special diet foods welcome.  

• Dry food, cats and dogs
• Canned food, cats and dogs
• Treats, cats and dogs *Dental treats are high value
• Paper plates and bowls, any type or style
• Chemical hand warmers to keep food/water from freezing