Companionship & Hope in a Year of Adversity

For Fancy and Khloe, adversity was a factor in their lives well before COVID-19 reached Pittsburgh. Living comfortably for the first nine years of their lives with their human mom and dad and two feline housemates, the girls living situation was suddenly upended when the family split up.

Cats react differently when they arrive at Animal Advocates – some are confident and bold, others timid and shy. It was clear from the start that Fancy was the dominant personality of the pair. Khloe, on the other hand preferred to spend her time in a quiet, out-of-the way spot. The girls, like the other residents, were now waiting for that right person to come and adopt them.

As the situation evolved, Fancy and Khloe were left alone – sometimes weeks – with their only visits coming from a pet sitter who would take care of their basic needs. The situation was about to get worse as the only home they ever knew was sold, and they were brought to Animal Advocates. Newcomers are placed in floor-to-ceiling pens with screens and Plexiglas so they can acclimate to their surroundings and soon-to-be housemates.

Then, shortly before the pandemic reached Pittsburgh, the Animal Advocates cat caregivers noticed a change in Fancy. Normally the first to greet them, she stayed in bed and was not interested in food. A vet trip was scheduled, and a mass was discovered in her stomach that required immediate surgery. Fortunately, the procedure went well, and Fancy was taken to a volunteer’s home to recuperate before eventually going into foster care.

When 12-year old Murphy arrived at Animal Advocates, it was because he and the family dog did not get along. After a short time at Animal Advocates, it was noted that Murphy seemed to be losing weight and was having intestinal issues. He was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, likely exacerbated by the sudden change in his living conditions.

Medications were started and Murphy went to a foster home where he could be monitored. Within a short time, his condition stabilized. Animals come to Animal Advocates from private individuals like Murphy; as strays; or, in the case of Tony, from other shelters.

Tony had an ear and eye infection. In most county- and city-funded shelters, budgets limit the amount of vet care that can be provided. When Tony’s eye appeared to require a surgical procedure, euthanasia was a possibility for this handsome, 4-year-old fellow.

Once Animal Advocates committed to bringing him in, the shelter began medications, and luckily by the time he arrived, his infections were clearing up and Tony was on the way to recovery until a follow-up vet trip revealed severe dental problems. Eight extracted teeth later, and Tony blossomed into the friendly and loving boy we knew him to be.

Fancy, Khloe, Murphy and Tony are just a few of the animals Advocates has helped overcome challenges in this year of adversity. Situations requiring veterinary intervention can be typical of cats that have not received regular vet care, and Animal Advocates is committed to providing that care as long as an animal remains with the organization.

As far as Fancy, Khloe, Murphy and Tony are concerned, their period of adversity has come and gone. Tony has nicely recovered from his dental surgery and has settled in comfortably with his new family and older feline brother. Murphy is a much-loved family member and continues to do well on a maintenance dose of medication. Shy Khloe charmed one of the Animal Advocates’ caregivers to the point where she adopted her and she is now perfectly content as a spoiled only cat. And Fancy? After six months of recuperation and being monitored, she has just celebrated her 10th birthday in her new home, just across the backyard from her foster.

Take a Sad Song and Make it Better

When the pandemic started, few among us could have anticipated how long it would last, or just how sad this song would be. Lucy joined Animal Advocates at the very beginning of the pandemic and the ensuing shutdowns. She and her family were paired with Arlo, an adorable, 11-week-old retriever mix who had been turned in to a vet’s practice. A note in his papers said, “rescued from a bad situation”. When Lucy saw Arlo she thought, “Oh my gosh! My first time fostering and I get the cutest puppy in the world!”.

Even before COVID-19 Lucy and her family had suffered much heartache and hardship over the past few years. She’s a single mother to a 7-year-old son, Jude, and her partner, Eric, died suddenly 2 years ago in his early 40s. Also part of the household is Lucy’s widowed father who is recovering from a bout with cancer, including surgeries and a grueling regimen of chemo and radiation that ended in April of 2020.

This family unit was trying to keep each other upbeat and positive. The stresses of being housebound with limited activities for a 7-year-old and worries about the possible danger of the virus to a senior cancer patient weren’t going to help matters. But now they had Arlo.

Puppies are magical. They’re always in the moment, curious, clumsy, and hardwired to love everybody they meet. While Arlo’s foster family enjoyed his antics and affection, they also worked together to nurture him. Feeding, walking, playing, socializing, and potty training were a family affair.

Jude and Arlo, two bright, inquisitive youngsters, were a natural match. Lucy’s dad found a friend too, and he delighted taking Arlo for walks and bragging to his friends about “his smart puppy”.

“It was the first time in months the three of us were smiling and laughing together,” Lucy said. “Arlo brought as much to this home as this home brought to him.”

Not surprisingly, Arlo’s foster family decided to adopt him and make him a permanent family member. This is a frequent occurrence in fostering. Arlo is about 7 months old now, no young dog with a shiny black coat. So often the animals we help do as much for us as we do for them. We dent companions, and they help us to become as fully human and humane as we can be. It’s a winning proposition, and a much better and happier song.

Adversity, Resilience, and Doing the Impossible

Adversity is inevitable, but so is rising to the challenge. As St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” Woven into the nature of rescue work at Animal Advocates is adversity and, at the same time, the deliberate actions that lead to joyful outcomes.

Doing what’s necessary to restore the sight and provide a loving foster home to Lily Dove, a blind miniature schnauzer found emaciated and terrified on the a busy highway. Doing what’s possible by rehoming thirty-three kittens in six months, all fostered by one volunteer family. Doing the impossible in performing the highest yearly totals of admissions and adoptions in the history of Animal Advocates.

Every animal who is given a second chance serves to strengthen the resolve and dedication to the mission of Animal Advocates. At the heart of that mission is a belief that the relationship between human and animal is an important bond that improves the physical and social well-being of individuals and the community. And every animal – regardless of age, adoptability, or prior medical conditions – deserves compassion and sanctuary.

Since 1984, Animal Advocates has weathered myriad obstacles by remaining committed to its core values and mission, and always putting the animals first. 2020 has presented unprecedented challenges. Following the mandate of local and state officials, the Thrift Shop – a main source of funding – was closed for three months. Various in person fundraising and adoption events were scaled back or canceled.

Requests for assistance in rehoming cats and dogs, unfortunately, continue to climb as individuals face hardships and the heartbreaking decision to surrender an animal. The ramification of the closure and impact of the pandemic will be felt for the foreseeable future.

Now more than ever Animal Advocates needs your help. Every aspect of the major programming at Animal Advocates – the rescue and rehoming of companion animals – is conducted by devoted volunteers, as are all administrative and facility management responsibilities. This enables the majority of all funding to be directed toward caring for rescued animals’.

For the past 36 years, resilience, selfless dedication by volunteers, and the generosity of donors have made it possible for Animal Advocates to not only get through hard times but to thrive during and after them.

We understand that many people are struggling at the moment. If you can find it in your hear to donate to Animal Advocates, it will go a long way toward ensuring care of animals in need, now and into the future.

Advocates Volunteers Get More than they Give

At the heart of Animal Advocates is a dedicated team of volunteers. From providing daily care to cats at headquarters, to staffing the Thrift Shop, to fostering animals in their homes, Animal Advocates volunteers do it all!

With no paid staff, it is the resourcefulness and commitment of those volunteers that has ensured Animal Advocates’ ability to fulfill its mission and allowed us to save countless furry lives since 1984.

The sheer number of volunteers who have opened their hearts to animals in need this past year is astonishing. And for many, volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic brings a sense of normalcy and connection in the absence of typical social gatherings.

The simple act of walking a foster dog or snuggling with a resident cat offers a break from the stress of the day. THANK YOU to all our volunteers for your unwavering commitment to the cats and dogs of Animal Advocates. If you are interested in joining the Animal Advocates volunteer team, we welcome animal-loving individuals who want to share their time and talents with us!

Volunteer Voices: What Does Animal Advocates Mean to You?