CAT RESOURCE GUIDE

Our clinic is located at 207 Allegheny Street, Tarentum, PA 15084. All appointments include surgery, pain medicine, rabies vaccine and flea treatment. PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE DAY OF DAYCARE* PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE DAY OF DAYCARE* PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE DAY OF DAYCARE* PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE DAY OF DAYCARE*

CLINIC REGISTRATION

BY PHONE: call 412-321-4060 and leave a message. Please include your name and phone number in your message. Someone will return your call and complete your pre-registration.

HCMT is all volunteer and this may take some time. Clinics fill up quickly and it’s best to call at least two weeks in advance of the clinic you want to attend.

BY EMAIL: Email cathomeless@gmail.com with your name, number of spots you need and which date you are registering for. You will receive a confirmation email ONLY if you are registered.

NOTE: dates may be added and are subject to change.

Low-cost spay/neuter and animal services in and around Allegheny County

This is an ever-changing list of resources for pet owners in Pittsburgh and beyond including low-cost spay and neuter programs for pets as well as TNR for community cats, after-hours emergency care, help with veterinary bills, pet-friendly rentals in Pittsburgh and across the US and links to shelters for adoption and other services. This information is provided for reference only and subject to change without notice. Please contact the organization or agency before using their services.

Low-cost Spay and Neuter Organizations and Programs

TNR AND LOW-COST SPAY/NEUTER PITTSBURGH AREA

Homeless Cat Management Team

207 Allegheny St., PO Box 100203, Tarentum, PA 15084, 412-321-4060 http://www.homelesscat.org/ Feral Cats and Rescued Cats. Feral cats must arrive in a humane trap. Check the website for clinic dates. All appointments must be made by calling the phone number. No walk-ins. Ferals: $30.00 Fast Track, no-charge at free clinics. Rescued Cats: Females $55.00, Males $40.00 Both include rabies, earmite and flea treatments. Other services available.

City of Pittsburgh Free Spay and Neuter for City Residents

City of Pittsburgh offers five free spays/neuters to all city residents http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/publicsafety/animal-control/spay-neuter.html

Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Programs at Shelters in Allegheny and surrounding counties

SHELTER PROGRAMS

Animal Friends

https://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/pet-care/spay-neuter/ Pet/friendly cats: $65 spay or neuter, includes pain medication – vaccines require are an additional fee. Feral/Outdoor Package: $50, includes pain medication, rabies, FVRCP, ear tip and flea treatment. Cats must be feral and in a humane trap to receive this service.

Humane Animal Rescue

https://humaneanimalrescue.org/veterinary-care/spay-and-neuter-services/ East End: 66209 Hamilton Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15206, 412-661-6452 North Shore: 1101 Western Ave., Pittsburgh PA 15233, 412-321-4625 Pet/friendly cats: $70 spay/neuter, rabies, FVRCP (distemper), microchip Feral/Outdoor Package: $50, includes pain medication, rabies, FVRCP, ear tip and flea treatment. Cats must be feral and in a humane trap to receive this service.

Beaver County Humane Society

3394 Brodhead Road, Center Township, PA 15001, 724-775-5801 https://beavercountyhumanesociety.org/tnr-and-owned-cat-surgery-prices Friendly cats: begin at $75. Feral cats: begin at $35 Visit website for more information.

Clarion Paws (Serves Clarion, Forest and Jefferson County)

Mailing address: P.O. Box 804, Clarion, PA 16214 Current Location: 11348 Route 322, Shippenville, PA (Clarion River Hill, between Kronospan and Clarion Electric) http://www.clarionpaws.org/programs/spay-neuter/ Monthly clinics listed on website, submit an application. Pets or ferals: $65 spay, $45 neuter. Includes rabies vaccine, ear mite check and treatment and flea treatment. Optional services at an upcharge. Trapping and financial assistance through Spay Neuter program may be available to Clarion, Forest and Jefferson County feral/stray cat caregivers on a case by case basis.

Butler County Humane Society

1015 Evans City Road, Renfrew, PA 16053 https://butlercountyhs.org/clinic/ For current pricing and schedule information please give us a call at 724-789-1150.

Washington Area Humane Society

1527 Route 136, Eighty Four, PA 15330 http://washingtonpashelter.org/ Currently moving into new building.

Low-cost Spay/Neuter Organizations in Allegheny and surrounding counties (alphabetical)

These are organizations which are not day-to-day clinics but organize, host, sponsor or otherwise provide access to spay and neuter services.

Catnip Acres (Greene County)

155 Dark Hollow Rd, Waynesburg, PA 15370 https://catnip-acres.com/ The Catnip Acres clinic was destroyed in a fire (no animals were harmed!) in January 2022 but they are rebuilding. Clinics are on hold until they have a space for the clinic again.

Fix ‘Ur Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic

Low Cost Spay Neuter Washington County, Inc., DBA Fix ‘Ur Cat 18 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, PA 1531 Call 724-405-7FIX (7349) for an appointment. Spay/neuter clinics are by appointment only. Pets: $60 for females, $50 for males Ferals: $50 Download and complete application, mail in for appointment. https://www.fixurcat.org/spay-and-neuter/

Fluffy Jean Fund (Washington County)

Packages at $65 and $85 Call Faith for Available Dates and Appointments (724) 941-5683 press 1 E-Mail: faith.b2@verizon.net http://fluffyjeanfund.weebly.com/

Frankie’s Friends

730 5th Avenue, New Kensington, PA 15068, 724-889-7011 Spay/neuter for pet/feral cats: Neuter $50, Spay $65, includes rabies, ear mite treatment, flea treatment. Also offers low cost vaccinations and basic medical treatments. By appointment only, no walk-ins. Use website or call to schedule. http://www.frankies-friends.org/

Fund for Feral Cats of Pittsburgh

Reimburses partial funds to help spay/neuter feral cats (funds not always available) Po Box 55135, Pittsburgh, PA 15207-0135

Lawrence County Animal Relief Fund (LCARF)

PO Box 8514, New Castle, PA 16107, 724-510-4952 http://www.lcarf.com/ Monthly clinics: $70 Spay/Neuter for Cats and Kittens! Includes a rabies vaccine, FVRCP vaccine, (distemper) and flea and earmite treatment

Operation Spay/Neuter

Butler, PA (for Butler County residents only) Income-based spays and neuters for dogs and cats. Call 724-287-SPAY (7729) or you can email for details http://operationspayneuter.com/

Pet Search

P.O. Box 1653, Washington, PA 15301 Call 724-228-7335 for clinic information. http://www.petsearchpa.org/

SNIPP: Spay and Neuter Indiana PA Pets

Westmoreland/Indiana Counties, Alle-Kiski Valley (Leechburg) Monthly low cost clinics, check website for dates and availability. http://www.snippindianapa.org/

Low-cost Spay/Neuter and Veterinary Clinics Fix’N Wag’N

Spay/neuter: $70. Visit the website for upcoming dates and places. https://fixnwagn.com/

THESE ARE INDEPENDENT CLINICS THAT OFFER SERVICES ON SITE DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS. Frankie’s Friends

730 5th Avenue, New Kensington, PA 15068, 724-889-7011 Spay/neuter for pet/feral cats: Neuter $40, Spay $55, includes Rabies, Ear mite treatment, Flea Treatment. Also offers low cost vaccinations and basic medical treatments. http://www.frankies-friends.org/

Penn Hills Spay/Neuter Clinic

11644 Frankstown Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15235, 412-244-1202 Open Monday-Friday. No longer offering walk-in services for ferals. Pet/TNR: Spay $56, Neuter $37, visit website for details and scheduling. Also offers low cost vaccinations and basic medical treatments. http://www.spayaz.com/Pittsburgh.html

FREE CLINICS (ferals only)

11/29 – Anonymous 2/19 – In loving memory of Milton Lendl 3/19 – Alley Cat Rescue, Inc.

North Hills Spay/Neuter Clinic

3967 William Flinn Hwy, Allison Park, PA 15101, 412-213-7353 Open Monday-Friday. No longer offering walk-in services for ferals. Pet/TNR: Spay $56, Neuter $37, visit website for details and scheduling. Also offers low cost vaccinations and basic medical treatments. https://spayaz.com/locations/pittsburgh-north-hills/

Find Local Low-cost Spay, Neuter and Veterinary Care on the Internet Low-cost Neuter and Spay (search by zip)

http://neuterspay.org/

Love That Cat (online search)

http://www.lovethatcat.com/spayneuter.html

Spay USA

http://www.spayusa.org/search.php

Spay and Neuter Early, a Humane Alliance Campaign

http://www.whentospay.org/get-your-pet-fixed

Get Your Fix.org

http://getyourfix.org/

ASPCA searchable map of low-cost clinics in US & Canada

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/ low-cost-spayneuter-programs

EMERGENCY AND AFTER-HOURS CARE Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center (PVSEC)

http://www.pvs-ec.com/

Rivers Veterinary Urgent Care

Walk-in, urgent, emergency care as well as surgeries and regular wellness appointments during daytime hours. 560 McNeilly Rd., Pittsburgh PA 15226, Phone: 412-998-9030, Fax: 412-998-9034 https://riversvet.com/

VCA Castle Shannon Animal Hospital

http://www.vcahospitals.com/castle-shannon

VCA Northview Animal Hospital Specialty Referral Center

http://www.vcahospitals.com/northview A-VETS, http://www.avets.us/

PET-FRIENDLY RENTALS

In the Pittsburgh area, visit this list on the FosterCat website: http://www.fostercat.org/friendly.html

Nationwide (United States only)

http://www.rent.com/pet-friendly-apartments

SHELTERS AND SHELTER SERVICES

Adoption, surrender, low-cost clinics, pet food pantries, referrals, etc.

Humane Animal Rescue, North Shore (Western PA Humane Society)

www.wpahumane.org

Humane Animal Rescue, East Liberty (Animal Rescue League)

www.animalrescue.org Animal Friends (AFI), www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org Animal Advocates, animaladvocates.net Washington Area Humane Society, www.washingtonpashelter.org Butler County Humane Society, www.butlercountyhs.org Beaver County Humane Society, www.beavercountyhumanesociety.org

ANIMAL CRUELTY LAWS BY STATE (UNITED STATES) Animal Legal & Historical Center

www.animallaw.info/articles/armpstatecruelty.htm

4/16 –SNIPP of Indiana, PA. 5/7 – Grace H. Meinert Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation 6/4 –SNIPP of Indiana, Pa.

FAST TRACK CLINICS

Ferals: $30

A -Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun f A -Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun f A -Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun f A -Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun f Pet/friendly cats: Females $55, Males $40 1/15 - 2/5 - 3/5 - 4/2 - 4/30 - 5/21 - 6/18

More dates may be announced and dates are subject to change. Check www.homelesscat.org/clinic-info for the most up to date information.DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH! DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH! DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH! DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH!

7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS • East End • South Hills • Strip District • East End • South Hills • Strip District • East End • South Hills • Strip District • East End • South Hills • Strip District • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Upper St. Clair NEW• Upper St. Clair NEW• Upper St. Clair NEW• Upper St. Clair NEW www.TheDogStop.com www.TheDogStop.com www.TheDogStop.com www.TheDogStop.com

*Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19. *Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19. *Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19. *Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19. Grooming Grooming Grooming Grooming Day Care Boarding Training Day Care Boarding Training Day Care Boarding Training Day Care Boarding Training Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail

EQUINE AFFAIRS

Is my horse on the bit?

By Kristin Hermann This horse is not tracking up, or using the full range of motion of its stride. However, it is submissive at the poll and on the bit. A smidge more stride and it will step into the bit with a higher poll. However, it is over its back and round!

On the bit means that the horse is stepping up or lifting under the rider’s seat to a connection with the bit. As a result, the horse is “on the bit.” I have heard it is also called “on the aids.” So what does that mean, on the aids? Well, the horse is connecting to all three of the rider’s aids : legs, seat, and hands.

A horse being on the bit is a primary criteria of a dressage horse. It is what separates dressage riders from other riding disciplines. As a matter of fact, putting a horse on the bit is an art and not easy. Most dressage riders have ODC or Obsessive Dressage Compulsion to obtain on the bit! A horse being on the bit is the holy grail of dressage.

The word dressage just simply means the gymnastic training of the horse. So can’t a horse be ridden gymnastically and not be on the bit? Well, of course, it can, but not for our dressage sport. It is the process of having a horse on the bit that engages the horse’s back to be part of the training. If a horse is round throughout the top line and on the bit, it utilizes its lifted back.

We train horses laterally and longitudinally. Laterally means the training of the side muscles such as bending and longitudinal is the horse stretching over its back. So when we “dressage” our horses, we supple and engage all of the horse’s muscles both laterally and longitudinally when they are on the bit.

Have you heard of the ring of muscles or ring of aids? This is the horse stepping under the seat of an unconstrained rider and accepting connection to the bit. Then this stepping under is recycled back to the hindquarters. When the horse accepts being on the bit through this ring of muscles, it is “submissive” to the rider’s aids. Riding the whole horse back to the front on the bit creates a circle of energy. The horse is stepping under the rider’s seat, telescoping from the base of the neck to the bit. At this point, the energy is transported back through the rein to the rider’s seat and leg. It is a circle of the rider’s aids that connect to the ring of muscles in the horse. Called riding back to front or tail to the tongue, but it should really be called from the abdomen muscle of the horse to the tongue or bit. And that is just the beginning of dressage. Once a rider has that, the next step is learning how to progress the horse’s training and keep it on the bit.

There are many versions of the horse being on the bit. Some trainers say there should be weight in your hands, others say the horse should be light, others say there should be four ounces in the outside rein and 2 ounces in the inside rein. I prefer the light version where my horse flexes at the poll and chews the bit. I ride a Percheron cross, and I do not encourage him to lean on my hands.

A rider will feel when a horse accepts contact because everything riding is a feeling between horse and human. The outline or frame of the horse on the bit working over its top line, and not just in a headset, feels like a unified package back to front. Often riders feel the horse’s back lift. The old masters said the horse’s back should massage the rider’s seat!

I think I over think this, but my job is to educate riders in dressage, and I love to write about it too, not just instruct. When I teach, I share the why and how we gymnastically train our horses. I do not just verbalize commands to get to an end result. I ask students questions when I teach. It is a dialog. A few simple questions are ~ what are your three aids, the different reins aids, your inside and outside rein called, your inside and outside leg called, or when do you use your leg to ask the horse to go forward… And, the big question, how do you get the horse on the bit? The why and how of what we are doing! (Answers below)

The photos in this article show horses tracking up or stepping PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE DAY OF DAYCARE* PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE DAY OF DAYCARE* PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE DAY OF DAYCARE* PRESENT THIS AD FOR A FREE DAY OF DAYCARE* under onto the bit. All dressage tests say the horse should move unconstrained with the rider. Yet, so many riders pull the horse’s head in, crank, and disrupt a soft mouth connection and or ride so forward the horse is running out of balance, thinking they’ll get it to accept contact!

On the bit or accepting contact is an art and beautiful to watch when done with poise and finesse. The holy grail of dressage or putting a horse on the bit is one of the most challenging goals of training a horse in dressage. My opinion is that you are not doing dressage unless your horse has accepted contact. Once you have developed the feeling of a horse stepping over its back with a relaxed rhythm to the bit, then the dressage world will be your oyster.

A -Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun f A -Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun f A -Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun f A -Inclusive, Clean, Safe Fun f DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH! DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH! DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH! DOGS IN THE ‘BURGH!

7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS 7 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ~

The natural aids are : legs, seat and hands • East End • South Hills • Strip District • East End • South Hills • Strip District • East End • South Hills • Strip District • East End • South Hills • Strip District The different reins aids are : direct, indirect, opening, and closing. • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Upper St. Clair NEW • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Upper St. Clair NEW • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Upper St. Clair NEW • Sewickly • Monroeville • Wexford • Upper St. Clair NEW The rider’s inside leg is called the active leg it asks the horse to step forward.The rider’s outside leg is called the passive leg and www.TheDogStop.com www.TheDogStop.com www.TheDogStop.com www.TheDogStop.com it keeps the haunches from falling out. (So not sure why it is passive) *Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19. *Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19. *Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19. *Offer only valid for new clients at participating locations. Limit one coupon per family. Offer expires 6/30/19. You ask the horse to go forward as the horses’s inside hind leg is stepping forward. How do you get the horse on the bit, by asking! Lol . “Ask and you shall receive,” we say at Coventry… This is the same horse only this time stepping under with a longer stride or tracking up. Using the full range of motion of its stride and stepping into the bit as the poll is higher and nose is on the vertical. Horse stepping under and taking a full stride into the bit. Also, flexed at the poll and not heavy in the rider’s hands. Rider is showing good form and not constraining the horse. Horse is “coming through.”

Grooming Grooming Grooming Grooming Day Care Boarding Training Day Care Boarding Training Day Care Boarding Training Day Care Boarding Training Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail Retail

Coventry Equestrian Center

Dressage ~ Gymnastic Training for all horses & riders

Learn how to ride & train with clarity for Dressage, Hunt Seat, Eventing, Western, Pleasure

All horses & riders benefit utilizing simplified gymnastic training (dressage) Visit the “Home Schooling Your Horse” Facebook page for simplified training tips Kristin Hermann blythedale@comcast.net 724-206-9902

Boarding / Lessons / Horse Sales

Rockin’ Horse Rockin’ Horse Stables Stables

Rockin’ Horse Stables is a full care Hunter & Jumper boarding and training facility o ering beginner to advanced English riding lessons, summer camps and quality horse sales. We strive to o er a clean, safe, family friendly environment for our riders and guests. Minutes from Rt. 19 Cranberry Twp. • Stalls & Lessons Available 724-601-4706 • rockinhorsestables.com